THE WALL OF FACES

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 sunlight 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.

Dear Lt Robin Wetzler, Thank you for your service as a Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander - Helicopter Pilot. 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.

Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Thank you for stepping up and answering your country's call. You gave everything you had to give. Rest easy knowing you will never be forgotten.

On July 10, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter AH-1G helicopter gunship (tail number 67-15638) from Air Cavalry Troop (ACT), 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, crashed at night in bad weather one mile southeast of Quan Loi Air Field in Binh Long Province, RVN. Both crewmen suffered fatal injuries in the crash. They were aircraft commander 1LT Robin K. Wetzler and pilot 1LT Thomas A. Ceres. The crew had been scrambled at 0345 hours that morning as part of a light-fire team consisting of two AH-1G gunships to give direct fire support to a unit of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in contact west of Quan Loi. From the time of takeoff to the time of re-entry, the weather conditions were intermittent IFR (Instrument Flight Rules). The clouds were on the trees in some areas, and heavy ground fog was forming around the airfield. At 0430 hours, when the team had completed its mission, they contacted the control tower while over An Loc, five miles southwest of Quan Loi. The flight was cleared by the tower for a straight in approach to Runway 05. On their first pass they were unable to maintain sight of the airfield, the runway, or surrounding obstacles. The team broke to the left and maintained altitude and re-entered traffic for another attempt at Runway 05. A second and third attempt was made from left traffic, and both were unsuccessful. On the last pass the tower was asked if there were any lights on the runway. The tower replied that there were three pots burning on the east end of the runway. The tower operator then signaled the team with a green light gun, which they acknowledged. On their next attempt they were unable to make positive identification of any feature on the ground. While still on final, the tower requested knowledge of an alternate field. Their reply to this was that they intended to fly around in the immediate area and see if the weather would get better. On their final pass at approximately midfield, the lead ship, Cobra 638 with Ceres and Wetzler, broke to the left at which time the aircraft entered a cloud bank and then appeared to start a left climbing turn, as reported from the pilot of the wing ship. From that time on, no radio or visual contact was made with Cobra 638. The wing ship then broke to the right, and after several more attempts to land while being talked down, completed a successful touchdown. It was later learned that Aircraft 638 had entered a grove of rubber trees at high airspeed and crashed. The aircraft was embedded 5-6 feet into the ground. Very little damage to the surrounding trees and a small hole in the foliage indicated an excessive nose low condition. After impact, the ship continued to burn but did not explode for about 10-15 minutes. The explosion greatly widened the hole, driving the front section of the aircraft with the pilots into the ground 8-10 feet. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and vhpa.org]

Dear 1LT Robin Kirmeyer Wetzler, 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