THE WALL OF FACES

Panel Nineteen East, Row One Twenty-Two
This D.C. neighborhood was built for you.
Its' far from home, in old Snead's Ferry.
It's wooden bridge, the Marines it carried.
A young boy smiled at the trucks and bother,
The dust kicked up, we laughed and hollered.

New River Swims soothed the summer heat.
A 10-cent coke was summer's treat.
Camp Lejeune grew fast those days,
As more men cam, you met their gaze.
You wondered at the guns, the men.
And wondered at the place they'd been.

But mama died and you moved west.
You went to school and did your best.
With school days gone, you made a choice.
To work for those, that had no voice.
You donned the green, and served the blue.
You learned your craft in Corpman's School.

As they were felled, you moved about.
To stop the blood, to help them out.
You yelled and cussed, screamed and pleaded.
You told them what you thought they needed.
"You'll be O.K.", "You're gonna get better."
MED EVAC! "Yea, I'll give your wife the letter."

Sunday Morning was Mother's Day.
You stocked supplies, went your way.
I saw you later, on bended knee.
You took the bullet. Meant for me.
The Quang Tri numbers, grew fast those days.
As more men Came, they met your gaze.

Forrest rebuilt his life and gained a new family at Boys Town. He was helped through Father Flanagan's dream. He attended high school and with his brothers there prepared to make positive contributions in our society. He served his nation with honor, brought credit upon his brothers and gave his life to free the oppressed. Forrest is loved and will not be forgotten.

DAD..I was so blessed to have such an awesome father as you. I hold so many wonderful memories in my heart. And I know that I will be reunited with you some day because we both know the Lord. Until that day comes Dad...Remember that I love you so much. Until we meet again.. Your Loving Daughter..Terri

I was only four when you gave your life for our country. Oh, how I wish you were here. I really miss getting to know my daddy. 33 years later and I still long for you. I hope to meet you in heaven some day. Until then, know that you are with me always in my thoughts and prayers. All my love, Rene

Rest in Peace "Doc"

John Bruneel, HMCM USN (Ret)



"I'm the One Called "Doc…"


I shall not walk in your footsteps,
but I will walk by your side.
I shall not walk in your image,
I've earned my own title of pride.
We've answered the call together,
on sea and foreign land.
When the cry for help was given,
I've been there right at hand.
Whether I am on the ocean
or in the jungle wearing greens,
Giving aid to my fellow man,
be it Sailors or Marines.
So the next time you see a corpsman
and you thing of calling him "squid",
Think of the job he's doing
as those before him did.
And if you ever have to go out there
and you life is on the block,
Look at the one right next to you…
I'm the one called "Doc".


Harry D. Penny, Jr. HMC(AC)USN
Copyright 1975

"Permission to reprint granted
by the author/copyright owner".