THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

While at MAG16 we'd play rag football which always turned into hard tackling in the hot sandy beach. Mike could not be tackled, our hands slid off his his arms and legs. He laughed at our feeble attempts. I am proud to have called him my friend. I was so angry when I received notice of his death from a fellow hootch member. Rest in eternal peace my friend.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die.

Lance Corporal Michael R. Alberici, Served with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM-265), Marine Aircraft Group 16 (MAG-16), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Third Marine Amphibious Force.

On August 24, 1968, a U.S. Marine Corps CH-46A (#152502) from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265 (HMM 265) received hostile fire and crashed and burned 13 miles south of Da Nang, Quang Nam Province, RVN, while attempting to lift out of a landing zone on a resupply mission. Three crewmen were killed in the incident. They included pilot CAPT Robert J. Himler, co-pilot 1ST Donald G. Lammers, and gunner LCPL Michael Alberici. [Taken from popasmoke.com]