THE WALL OF FACES

So many memories from a happier time.... before the Vietnam War. Losing you was never accepted by your mom and dad and things were never the same for either of them. Know that I think of you often and all the things that could have been. Miss you, your cousin Ann

William is buried at Arlington Cemetery in Drexel Hill, PA. 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

Army Pfc. William A. Thomas Jr., 23, son of Mr. and Mrs. William A. Thomas Sr., of 109 E. Turnbull rd., Havertown.
An only child, Pfc. Thomas died last Wednesday of injuries he sustained April 25. He left for Vietnam April 8 after a three-week furlough.
His parents received his last letter Saturday - the same day they were informed he was wounded.
"I'm fine over here. Don't worry," he wrote.
His mother said he was a Civil War buff, and often he would spend "all of his money" buying old weapons, swords, battle plans and books about the war.
A June, 1963, graduate of Haverford High School, Pfc. Thomas was drafted last October. He had worked as a night manager of a supermaket on Narberth.

I am Tina Teti from Upper Darby High School. I am doing a research rpoject on Vietnam Veterans and William Arthur Thomas Jr. is who I am researching on. If anyone knows any information about his life and what year he graduated or anything about him. Please contact me...email my teacher David Tatum (also a Viet. Vet.) Thank you for your help