THE WALL OF FACES

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

Dear Cpl James Speer, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Happy Easter, and Passover . Time moves quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Uncle Jim, not a day goes by that I'm not thankful for your life, your testimony, your willingness to serve your country and that you are my uncle. We love and miss you and look forward to seeing you in heaven one of these days!

Uncle Jim although you are not here with us, we never cease to remember and love you! Can't wait to see your smiling face in heaven someday!!

James got in country a couple of weeks before me. He bunked next to me in the barracks at Dong Tam. In my first interaction with him he was sarcastic but with a wry and droll sense of humor. I instantly liked him and thought to myself that it would be interesting to get to know him. He was KIA 2 weeks later.
I think of him often and always every Memorial Day. The life he never got to live and the frienship we never got to know.