THE WALL OF FACES

Great sadness fills our hearts today
As pipes and drums, in slow march play.
A comrade’s fallen by the way,
And now we say goodbye.

This hero to the very end
Was more than just a casual friend,
Who would a stranger’s life defend,
And now we say goodbye

But we shall cherish, all our days,
The character this life portrayed
With sacrifice so freely made,
And now we say goodbye.

The hand salute, o’er Stars and Stripes,
And distant skirl of highland pipes,
Bid last farewell with hero’s rights,
And now we say goodbye.

While here on Earth, you gave your best.
Now in the Master’s arms you rest.
T’is by your memory we are blessed.
And now we say goodbye.

Dear SSgt Gerald Stevens, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. 47 years ago, the last battle of the war began. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Operation Cedar Falls was a massive search and destroy operation conducted to eradicate the so-called "Iron Triangle", an area located in close proximity to Saigon which had become a major stronghold of the communist National Liberation Front (NLF) or Viet Cong. During the operation on January 13, 1967, an artillery mishap caused by an error in the plotting of fire data resulted in the deaths of ten U.S. soldiers and over thirty others wounded. The supporting artillery fire landed on a unit of 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division position. Sixteen rounds of 155mm howitzer fire hit the soldiers just as they were clearing a landing zone just west of Ben Cat. The soldiers lost in the incident included SP4 Michael R. Brotzman, SGT Francisco D. Dacanay, SP4 Robert D. Erickson, CPL Bobby G. Goldhagen, PFC William L. Randolph, CPL Weston H. Reese, CPL Richard A. Robb, and SSGT Gerald Stevens. SSGT Roger P. Gallant was medically evacuated but died the following day. PFC Henry J. Drozdowski Jr. was wounded in the abdomen by fragments from the errant rounds. He was medevacked to the 93rd Evacuation Hospital at Da Nang. On the 24th of January, he was returned stateside for treatment, ultimately being permanently retired from the military on disability in November 1967. He endured over 300 surgeries throughout his life due to the devastating injuries he received. He died at age 64 on April 30, 2011, in Warren, MI, as a result of the wounds received in Vietnam. Drozdowski’s name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in May 2014. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear SSGT Gerald Stevens, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Gerald is buried at Powell Valley Cemetery, Dryden, VA.