THE WALL OF FACES

War drew us from our homeland
In the sunlit springtime of our youth.
Those who did not come back alive remain
in perpetual springtime -- forever young --
And a part of them is with us always.

Dear PFC Victor Vanvactor, Thank you for your service as a Rifleman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. Today is the last full day 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.

I spent two tours in Vietnam, 06Jun1966 - 27Jan1968, I was back in the States but it was no a place for me to be at that time. I requested assignment to Embassy Duty, a two-year tour, so it was nearly 4 years before I head that you'd been killed in action near Gio Linh. You and ten other Marines and one Priest are rattling around in my brain, I carry all of you in my memory----Semper Fi

We were rackmates in Platoon 151 at Parris Island, March of 1966. When the Drill Instructors were teaching us to stand at attention and all the marching stuff, I couldn't believe how tall and thin you were. We weren't allowed to "eyeball" the area or talk to any one but when we stood at the end of our racks you were taller than the rack. You were the skinniest Marine that I remember, but you stood so tall and so straight. In Vietnam, our Company, KLO 3/9, was preparing to move out when I saw one of our guys had the "Stars and Stripes" newspaper that listed the previous weeks names of casualties. I had yet seen any major battles, only small skirmishes that only lasted a few minutes. When I saw your name I was sad, shocked, and sad. Semper Fi my Fellow Marine.

I never knew Victor, but I grew up hearing all the stories my Mom told of the two of them growing up together. She loved to say how my older brother was Victor coming back to give her hell. David always gave her a run for her money. With His birthday just passing I know she is thinking of him a lot. We haven't forgotten his sacrifice, or his family's. Semper Fi Victor.