THE WALL OF FACES

The following membrane was written in Summer of 2022 by Marti DeWolfe Day, a girlfriend Larry met at college.

I met Larry Boyer soon after I arrived at Mariette College. I was 17 and Larry was a mature (well relatively) 19-year-old. We started dating right away. At Thanksgiving I was invited to spend the long weekend at the Boyer home in Ellwood City, Pa.

They made me feel right at home. It was wonderful meeting his parents, Harry and Allys and Larry’s sisters Sandy and Beverly. It was obvious how much he adored little sister Beverly. I got to see Larry play basketball in an alumni-high school game and he was just wonderful. I had not realized how athletic he was at that point.

Larry was a wonderfully gifted athlete. Besides being an outstanding baseball player at Marietta he participated in many inter fraternity competitions such as cross-country races and football. He was quite the star of all these activities. as well.

I had a lot in common with Larry since from Junior High to senior year I played field hockey, basketball and softball. I was shocked to find Marietta had no women’s sports. We eventually were allowed to have a field hockey team since so many players were from eastern schools where field hockey was a popular sport. We were called a club sport but did play many other colleges.

Larry was my first love. I admired many qualities he exhibited. He was very polite and corrected people who rudely made the comment “My old lady did such or do." Larry would correct them and say" that is your mother, not your old lady". He always was very protective of me and very respectful.

He was also very patriotic. After he died his father said to me that perhaps he should not have brought Larry up to be so very patriotic.

Larry dropped out of college in the middle of his junior year. Later on, he met and married a woman from West Virginia, Patty Law.

Larry wrote to me throughout his time in the Military. I remember him saying how beautiful the desert was. One time when he was at Camp Lejeune, I sent him cookies I baked. I guess this was not acceptable and he had to eat every one at once. He wrote not to do that again since he threw up! (Because there were too many or since I had not made a good cookie?? Ah, I was young and stupid.)

He wrote explaining how excited he was when Patty was pregnant. He was devastated when she lost her baby.

During his 20-day time off from the Marines, most likely after boot camp, before he married and before he went to Vie

I was only 4 but saw you on our family trip out west. You told me the rumble from the AC vent was a monster and would get me if I sucked my thumb. LOL it worked! I quit.
Fond memories

It was right after I turned 13 that I learned that my hero had been killed in Vietnam. I had just gotten my birthday letter from Larry, giving me brotherly advice and love. He finished the letter with a poem, for we always wrote in poetry form to each other, reminding me to stay strong in my beliefs, stay proud in myself and my family, and to be true to my country and my God. 53 years later, I still cry as I read those warm and heartfelt words. I cried as a teenager when Larry died. I couldn't believe God would take him so soon. I cry now as old lady, as I look at pictures from the past, still missing my brother. I hope that Larry would be as proud of me as I am of him. I thank God for the time He loaned Larry to us, for those times are just as precious now as they were all those years ago. I miss you, Larry. I love you so deeply. Your little sister and biggest fan, Beverly.

Today, March 29,2022, is a day to remember and thank those who served in the Vietnam War. As a fellow Riverside High School graduate, I will always think of your enormous sacrifice and the extreme pain and loss for your family. I worked with Alice Boyer at Fisher's Big Wheel during summers between college. She always had a big smile and cheered me up with her wonderful sense of humor. I admired her so much. May our risen Christ bless you and your family during this holy season of Easter. May Perpetual Light shine upon you. May you rest in peace. Please pray for our nation that our great Republic can stand the test of time. (Panel 24W Line 101) Thank you CPL Larry E. Boyer!

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Marti Dewolfe Day is poignant. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever....