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 Sp5 Roy Westbrook, Thank you for your service as a General Vehicle Repairman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Advent, and Christmas is soon. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

SP5 Roy T. Westbrook was a mechanic serving Headquarters & Headquarters Troop (HHT), 1st Squadron, 10th Cavalry, 4th Infantry Division. The 1st Squadron was an armored reconnaissance unit deployed to Vietnam in the latter part of 1966 to serve as the eyes and ears of the 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands. Their basic mission was to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance of the Cambodian border and destroy North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong units in the area. In the summer of 1968, Westbrook was critically injured in Darlac Province, RVN, while setting up a boobytrap at a night defensive position when the device accidently detonated. He was admitted to a military hospital where he expired on August 19, 1968. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org; obituary from The Anniston Star (Anniston, AL), August 25, 1968, courtesy of Ken Barr, Reference Archivist, Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, AL]

Dear SP5 Roy Thomas Westbrook, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

Dear SP5 Roy Thomas Westbrook, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter