THE WALL OF FACES

Great sadness fills our hearts today
As pipes and drums, in slow march play.
A comrade’s fallen by the way,
And now we say goodbye.

This hero to the very end
Was more than just a casual friend,
Who would a stranger’s life defend,
And now we say goodbye

But we shall cherish, all our days,
The character this life portrayed
With sacrifice so freely made,
And now we say goodbye.

The hand salute, o’er Stars and Stripes,
And distant skirl of highland pipes,
Bid last farewell with hero’s rights,
And now we say goodbye.

While here on Earth, you gave your best.
Now in the Master’s arms you rest.
T’is by your memory we are blessed.
And now we say goodbye.

Dear Lcpl Eric Wardwell, Thank you for your service as a Combat Engineer. I researched you on your 76th birthday, happy birthday. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart . Today we honor those who have passed. We remember you. Please watch over America, it still needs your strength, courage, guidance and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

We can never truly repay the great debt we owe our fallen heroes. Rest in peace LCPL. Wardwell, I salute your brave soul. Without people like you our great nation would not exist. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

Mike and I met in ITR. We were in the same company at Camp Geiger and then we were in the same combat engineer class at Courthouse Bay. We may have been in the same staging company at Camp Pendleton.. In Vietnam we were both in A Company 3rd Engineers but I was assigned to 1st platoon and Mike went to another platoon.

You are a Great Marine. I will always remember you from 4th Platoon, A Company, 3rd Engineer Battalion and pray that I will see you someday in Paradise.