THE WALL OF FACES

Shown is an artist's rendering of Alexandria's Vietnam Veterans Memorial - the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans Memorial. CPT Walters, the son of a career Army Officer who graduated from high school in the city, is one of 67 men from Alexandria, Virginia who will be remembered on the Memorial.

My dad, Alan Gardner, was good friends with Bob. They died together in Vietnam, and are buried next to each other in Arlington. In this picture, Alan is on the left, and Bob is next to him -- second from the left.

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and whose name is chiseled into stone beneath a Gold Star at the Captain Rocky Versace Plaza and Vietnam Veterans Memorial, CPT Robert James Walters, on what would’ve been his 75th birthday - 18 August 2016.

Dear Captain Robert James Walters, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

CPT Robert J. Walters, the son of a USMA graduate, was also an alumnus of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.