THE WALL OF FACES

There is a place
Not far from here
Where spirits walk
And heroes live
And honor still resides.

It is a wall
With names inscribed
Of those who served
When they were asked...
The brothers of my youth.

I go there still
To walk and think
About my life,
And what I've done since
And things that might have been.

There is a debt
I can't repay
Too many lives were spent.
And one man's life cannot suffice
To make their deaths worthwhile.

But there is hope
In the memory
Of those we leave behind
Who know the price that freedom brings
Who can carry on in kind.

I send you now
To touch a name
So the vision can be passed
Remember there is honor still
It is for you to see it lasts.

They are not dead
And have a wish
As all old soldiers do
The reflection you see before you now
Is their wish to live in you.

Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

HOOAH

Dear Sgt David Vallance, Thank you for your service as an Infantryman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is the end of summer. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

On March 22, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter CH-47B (tail number 67-18461) from the 178th Assault Support Helicopter Company, callsign Boxcar, was conducting a troop and resupply lift in Quang Tin Province, RVN, when it crashed during landing approach to LZ West. Nine personnel were killed in the incident, including one crewman. They included flight engineer SP5 Robert C. Tedford, and passengers SP4 Richard W. Goden, SP4 Clarence H. Boolin, SP4 Leonardo Rios-Velazquez Jr., SP4 Charles D. Howell, SGT David C. Vallance, and SP4 Terry L. Staman. SP4 George F. Reynolds Jr. was critically burned in the crash and was medically evacuated to the 106th Army General Hospital in Yokohama, Japan, where he expired March 29, 1969. The aircraft had the routine mission to resupply Fire Support Base West with hot rations, canned goods, soda pop, beer, lumber, mail, and other miscellaneous cargo. These items were loaded internally along with 25 passengers at LZ Baldy. The aircraft was refueled, and a hover check was performed. Difficulty in hovering prompted the decision to reduce the load, and five passengers were taken off the aircraft. After a subsequent hover check, the aircraft departed LZ Baldy with the remaining twenty passengers, internal cargo, and crew of five at 1300 hours. While approaching short final to LZ West, the aircraft commander noticed that the aircraft was losing power. The aircraft continued to settle and was falling below the lip of the ridgeline. The aircraft commander took over the controls, banked the aircraft sharply to the left. After a 180 degree turn, the aircraft started down the hillside and struck a small tree with the rear rotor disk. Initial contact with the ground was made with the rear left gear which was sheared it from the fuselage. The rear ramp structure also contacted the ground at this point. The aircraft pitched about its rear pivot point, causing the entire right side of the aircraft to contact the ground. Inertia carried the aircraft over on its back in what was described as a slow roll. The aircraft came to a complete stop inverted. The rear end immediately burst into flames which completely destroyed the aircraft in less than ten minutes. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

My memories of you are still in the apple orchard climbing trees and on the Little League baseball fields. You are forever young in my mind. I see Jack occasionally, he and I are both A&P airplane mechanics.

I came to Nam after your death and served for two years with the 61st Assault Helicopter Company. We cared for all the infantry men.

Jesus sat with me and He gave me His Peace and Love, I never worried about my life then. I know He held you in your last moments and took you Home, His Home. I'll come Home too, so look for me as I'll look for you.

Love,
Gordon Wax
Stevensville, Mt