THE WALL OF FACES

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.

On the remembrance of your 70th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Landing Zone Uplift was a U.S. Army base near Phu My in Binh Dinh Province, RVN. The base was established in 1966 by the 1st Cavalry Division on Highway QL-1, approximately five miles north of Phu My. A little before 5:00 AM on September 7, 1970, Uplift received two unknown-type incoming mortar rounds (possibly 120mm) followed by two more ten minutes later from an undetermined direction. The barrages wounded six Americans, one seriously. A couple hours later, enemy rockets hit the base. An OH-6A light observation helicopter came on station and reported suspected enemy launch locations before the aircraft was brought down by groundfire. Later that morning, a mechanized unit consisting of M113 armored personnel carriers (APCs) and a M551 Sheridan tank moved out from Uplift in search of the firing locations. At 1:05 PM, while traveling on roadway TL-506 three miles northwest of Phu My, a command-detonated mine placed by North Vietnamese Army (NVA) soldiers was blown 25 yards in front of the lead track. The other tracks and the tank then received rocket fire from the east and west sides of the road, destroying one APC and damaging the tank and two other tracks. As an APC burned, SSG Glenn H. English Jr. ran from his own disabled vehicle to rescue three men still aboard. While pulling a crewman from the flaming track, fuel and ammunition on the APC ignited, causing an explosion which killed English and three others. The lost personnel included PFC Eugene A. Aaron, PFC Eddie J. Padilla, and PFC Brent W. Sveen. The other Americans deployed from their immobilized vehicles and returned fire. The NVA were scattered by supporting gunships which engaged numerous nearby fortifications, killing several of the enemy combatants. A U.S. infantry unit pursued fleeing NVA observed moving up a mountain north of the battle area. Apart from the four killed, seven other Americans were wounded. For his actions during the engagement, English was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor; Padilla received a posthumous promotion to Corporal. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Eugene rests at:
Myrtle Hill Memorial Park
Tampa, Hillsborough County, Florida
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22476827/eugene-allen-aaron

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.