THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Sp4 Nickolas Szawaluk, Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. I researched you on your 54th anniversary, sad. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Another summer is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

Nick, you were the best man at my wedding - my husband, Gene Stainback, was your best buddy and the two of you went to Nam together. I sewed your name tag on your uniforms before you went to Nam.

You and Gene were the first to learn about my being pregnant for Michelle. Today is her 52nd birthday - and Memorial Day. Nick, I went to the Wall several years ago on Father’s Day and found a note left by your daughter!! I was shaken by this. I knew that I was meant to find out that you had a baby girl, too. She has to be the same age as Michelle.

I know I’m rambling, but all these years later I still need you to know how much you mean to me. Gene lost his life many years ago to Agent Orange. So, the two of you are together again. He was never the same on this earth after losing you. I wasn’t either. You were one special guy and I will never forget you.

Dear SP4 Nickolas Szawaluk, 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

Nicholas is buried at Pequest Union Cem, Great Meadows,NJ. His unit was B 1/501, 101 ABN DIV. PH

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