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 Cpl Robert White, Thank you for your service as an Aircraft Cryptographic Systems Tech. I researched you on your 57th anniversary, sad' Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is Christmas Eve, Merry Christmas. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace CPL. White, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family. Semper Fidelis!

~ We Remember ~

Never forget they say...
those who in War gave their lives.
Debts that we can never repay,
for they made the ultimate sacrifice.

We honor them today and always..
The fallen.
Some with grief that’s unsurpassed.
Quietly..at services..memorials..gravesites..
it’s understanding..we now must grasp.

Let us also remember those living,
those chosen to remain.
For they must keep on giving..living..
they shall bear the greatest pain.

On this day as we remember
i offer humbly a grateful..
Thank You.

To my Father..all Veterans past and present,
for All you’ve given..All you do.

..Souvenez-vous Toujours...
~})i({~
C. White (C) 1979

On December 3, 1965, a flight of six UH-34D's from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 364 (HMM 364) were carrying a full complement of ARVN troops whose destination was an outpost known as Hiep Duc, just west of Tam Ky. The entire area was noted for being a very “hot spot.” CAPT Kirk I. Riley and his crew were the lead aircraft, #148762. The following is a personal account by Ken Gross of the loss of Riley’s aircraft: “We tried to go in as high as possible, though we were limited by somewhat low ceilings, which may have placed us approximately 2000 feet above ground level. The flight was in normal cruise when the Viet Cong fired on us with time delay fused mortars. Unfortunately, CAPT Riley's aircraft received a direct hit in the belly, where the fuel tanks were located, and they never stood a chance. CAPT Riley tried desperately to get the aircraft on the ground, but it was burning so fiercely he appeared to lose control and the aircraft rolled inverted and crashed. No one survived.” The lost crew included Aircraft Commander Riley, co-pilot 1LT Stanley G. Johnson, crew chief CPL Robert H. White, and gunner CPL Warren L. Dempsey. In addition to the four crewmembers, there were nine ARVN troops aboard the aircraft. Neither the bodies nor the aircraft were recovered. (Narrative by Kenneth L. Gross, Maj. USMCR, Ret.) [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org and popasmoke.com]