THE WALL OF FACES

I was only 10 years old when my first cousin died. It was the first time I had ever seen my father cry. That was the very first time I remember real sadness in the Valdez family. We are such a huge family that we had alot of good times with Pete's mother Jenny who was the oldest of Genevieve (my grandmother) family. Pete remains a memory of the good times. I wished there had been more.

Pete and I were friends in High School. I visit THE WALL every year to spend some time in front of the panel where I can look at his name "Juan P. Valdez". I still miss my friend. I wish I had a picture of Pete in his Army Uniform.