THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from fellow marine Jim Marshall is touching and reflects his admiration and respect for you. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us….

I knew Jimmy back in High School. He was not the most popular person in town, but he and I got along very well. We even dated two sisters. I heard that he had enlisted in the Marines, but I did not have a chance to see him before he left. I ran into him after his first deployment, and his demeanor had changed much for the better. He told me he loved the Corps for straightening him out. I was stricken to hear that he had died soon after. I joined the Marines soon afterwards, and his death had a lot to do with my enlistment. Semper Fidelis, brother.

Dear Lcpl James Smith, Thank you for your service as a Field Radio Operator. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Spring has begun, and it's Lent. Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

I wrote early that I found James Smith in Northford cemetery . Well I went right back and was cleaning up stone and the overgrown grass when I look at his date of birth, it was today .

I do a five mile walk around Northford , including the Northford cemetery . As I do my walk I salute every veteran stone I see . Today I found yours , it was overgrown with grass . Being a Vietnam Veteran myself , I'll make sure to visit and clean your footstone up . Joseph Taragowski