THE WALL OF FACES

My name is Jim Hartman. I am working with PA State Representative Thomas Murt. Tom has received authorization to build a memorial for our Viet Nam hometown heroes from Hatboro, PA. Bill Ahlum lived on Tom's street. They were neighbors.

We are searching for people who knew our hometown boys (7) to gain some insight into them for the memorial. For fear of stirring up any bad memories, can you provide us with any insight?

For the record tom is a decorated Iraq vet and I'm an old SEABEE MCB 71 68-74.

Tom's email is [email protected]

Our KIA:
William John Ahlum Army Captain neoighbor of Tom Murt
Howard Edward Cashman Army SP4
Jame Patrick Kelly Army 2LT
Joseph Lannon USMC PFC childhood friend and classmate
Robert Preston Ruttle Army SP4
Ronald Carlton smith Army SP4
Robert Richard Wright Army 1LT

God Bless and thank you,
Jim Hartman

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

A Hatboro GI, Sp/4 Ronald C. Smith, 23, of 625 W. County Line rd., has been killed in action, the Defense Department reported Tuesday.
According to a telegram received by his family Tuesday, Sp/4 Smith was driving a personnel carrier when it struck a mine Sunday.
His parents, Mr. and Mrs. George F. Smith, said their son's last letter, received April 8, told of seeing an old friend in another car as they passed on a road in Vietnam.
The friend, Paul Wright, of 1625 Willow st., Willow Grove, was killed on April 3.
After attending Frankford High School he entered the service in May, 1967.
Surviving besides his parents are a brother, Rickie; a sister, Mrs. Lucinda Cockley, and his grandparents, Mrs. Elizbeth Schmidt and Mr. and Mrs. John H. Wileman.

Dear Sir,

Thank you for all you did for America during the Vietnam War. Your efforts and contributions will continue to inspire men and women for years to come. You will always be a hero. God Bless You.

-Natalie Stoller-