THE WALL OF FACES

Farmer, you are gone but you are not forgotten. I often think about you and your lost opportunities, your family and friends’ grief and loss. I only see now how young we were then and how final death is. I am so sorry that I did not protect you.

Your Squad Leader – Sgt James

To Your Brother: Our platoon and my squad – with your brother carrying the M-60 machine gun - attacked an NVA bunker complex on 14 June 1971. We came under heavy fire – small arms, 30 caliber machine gun and mortars – while crossing a river that was in front of the enemy bunkers. Due to the intense fire, we pulled back and setup a perimeter. The Lt called in artillery and at least one round of bunker-piercing HE fell short, killing Farmer and wounding others. We airlifted the wounded and the dead out of the jungle and later napalmed the enemy position. By then however, I believe that the enemy had left their complex.

We were told that the howitzer that fired the round(s) was overdue for re-calibrated. We were also told that we should not have set up our perimeter in the in the vector between the artillery and the enemy encampment.

Our stated mission was to Seek and Destroy; our real mission was to Seek and Avoid – and bring everyone home alive. I am sorry I failed to get your brother home.

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932

Bill was My best friend, We went through school together from grammar school through high school.I was married and went to Nam, Bill was home at the time and kept an eye on My wife and baby boy while i was there Iwas the lucky one i came Home than Bill got drafted and went to Nam. Bill I will always miss you and be in your debt for taking care of my family while i was there.
I miss you alot,Your Jack

Bill was my sister's fiance. He was the nicest guy you could ever come across on this planet. He was full of love and full of
fun. He died two days before my birthday and he wrote me a birthday letter.Maybe I was the last one to hear from him, but I am not the last one to remember him or to mourn for him. I know you're a star in heaven now Bill, and I Love You. Peppermint Pattie all grown up now.

I CRIED LAST NIGHT,I KNOW WHY. I FELT YOUR TEARS, I WIPED MY EYES. I KNOW IT HURTS, I FEEL IT TO. YOU CRIED LAST NIGHT, I CRIED TOO. REST NOW MY BROTHER, I'LL WIPE YOUR EYES, I'LL FEEL YOUR HURT I'LL CRY YOUR CRIES. THERE'S NO MORE PAIN YOUR HURTING'S THROUGH, SEE YA LATER MY BROTHER,I'LL REALLY MISS YOU. WHEN YOU CARE ABOUT SOMEONE AS MUCH AS I DO YOU BEING APART IS A HARD THING TO GET USE TO. I THOUGHT I'D HANDLE IT JUST FINE... AND THAT I'D BE HAPPY JUST TO KEEP YOU ON MY MIND. BUT IT ISN'T ALWAYS THAT EASY...SOMETIMES THE ONE THING THAT WOULD PLEASE ME THE MOST ... IS SIMPLY SEEING YOU. I KNEW THAT I;D MISS YOU. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW I'D MISS YOU AS MUCH AS I DO. YES BROTHER, I WILL CRY FOR YOU, I WILL REMEMBER YOU, OLIVE YOU BILL-BOP WHISPER'S OF YOUR NAME ARE IN MY HEART ~!!~ HONDO 100 % DISABLED COMBAT WOUNDED VIETNAM VETERAN. LONG BIEN VIETNAM 1971-1972-- 615TH MILITARY POLICE.
PRESIDENT OF THE VIETNAM VETS MOTORCYCLE CLUB, CHAPTER C MINNESOTA...THE PRICE OF FREEDOM IS WRITTEN ON THE WALL...
"A PAIR TO OPEN"