THE WALL OF FACES

me, you and Todd were up on an oak-studded hill in the east bay. We had gotten two six-packs of Mickey Big Mouth malt liquor and reminisced about the days before you enlisted. Months later, sitting in Compton's coffee shop waiting for Todd to show up, I was reading the San Francisco Chronicle when I turned to page two. There was your picture (if I remember correctly) and a quarter page article about your death and your parents changing from the GOP to the Democratic Party in support of George McGovern, who was running for President. Me, my girlfriend and Todd made it to your sad funeral. I followed you into the army and am a Vietnam ERA veteran, so no combat for me. Miss you all these years later.

Man oh man do i miss u Timmy. Its been a long time coming till I've confronted ur name at the wall. It was so hard Timmy and Im missing you more than ever. I had a dream of us hugging and so I woke up- It is currently 2 am and I am sob-laughing thinking of those hilarious times we had together, tickling me till i could no longer breath. See you up there soon.

Dear SP4 Timothy Arma Thomas, 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

While operating in the Dinh Tuong Province with a crew of five and 17 passengers on board, 69-17119 was struck in flight by a SA-7 'Strella' shoulder launched heat seeking missile. The aircraft crashed into a flooded rice field in the Mekong Delta, southwest of Saigon, and was destroyed. There were no survivors. The helicopter was on a courier run from Saigon to Can Tho when it was hit near My Tho, about 35 miles from Saigon. The crew consisted of CAPT Steven D. Howard, CW2 Ronald L. Vanlandingham, SP5 David E. Wischemann, SP4 Richard B. Freeman, and SP4 Timothy A. Thomas. Passengers included SP4 James D. Brown, SP4 Louis O. Calderon, SP4 Roger R. Chambliss, SP4 Raymond L. Goodchild, SP4 Milton C. Hunter, SP4 Charles L. Stewart Jr., SP4 Delbert R. Wood, CAPT Dennis W. Finnegan, SSGT Charles A. McSwiney Jr., and 1LT Kenneth J. Spencer. [Taken from vhpa.org]

On this your angel day I wanted to express my gratitude to you for your service to our country and for the greatest sacrifice any man can make – your precious life.

Many have said that the Vietnam War was a pointless war and that the loss of your life was in useless, but I do not feel that this is true. Your service and sacrifice have not been in vain, but has been a source of healing and hope. This is signified in all the messages left by the youth of our nation on this sacred site. I read their comments and know that you are not forgotten by them and that you and your brothers-in-arms will be an influence for good for generations to come.

I will always remember you and the others on The Wall. I will do my utmost best to never to forget you and to do all that I can do to keep your memory alive. Even if it is just to leave a message here on your remembrance page on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site. This is my promise to you and the others.

Rest well now and know that you are always remembered by this humble American Girl.