THE WALL OF FACES

Rest in peace with the warriors.

A portion of Sepulveda Boulevard/State Highway Route 1 in El Segundo near Los Angeles International Airport has been dedicated to the residents of Los Angeles County who served in Vietnam. This section of highway is now designated the Los Angeles County Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway. Adopted by the California State Legislature in 2000, the highway honors the more than 350,000 California veterans who served in the Vietnam War, including the 5,822 killed or missing in action. Los Angeles County has the largest number of Vietnam veterans in California and 1,857 of its residents were killed or missing in action during that war. This memorial corridor provides a fitting and proper way for the residents of Los Angeles County to express their gratitude and appreciation for the sacrifices these Vietnam veterans have made for their country.

After 34 years, I still miss you, Little Brother. Although I was the older one, through the years we took turns protecting one-another. Wish I could have protected you from this one.

I remember how much you loved Chris. Otis Redding. Imports of the Beatles and Rolling Stones. Pizza. Your 1966 Mustang and driving fast. Fishing along the Kern. I remember your sense of humor and fairness. You loved history. One of your ambitions was to be an attorney, then someday, the President of the United States.

You died four weeks before your nephew was born. You would be proud of him. Like you, he loves American history, the law, and our great nation.

Last weekend, Kenny and I attended a Golf 2/7 Reunion in San Diego. Joe Bonifas and his wife, Janet were there. Joe and I remain very close. He has had a really rough time ever since the night you were killed. He is a good man. There were many good men at the reunion. When I was standing on the podium, I asked for all the Marines who had known you to please stand, 7 men stood up. Every one of those men came and talked to me and told me how much they liked you. I got the chance to say "thank you" to Jim Henn for being with you at the end. Next year I hope to meet Jim Whalen. He was the only member of your squad to survive that night. It has been especially hard on him. I hope when I see him, that I can somehow make his life a little better.

I still have moments when I hear a song, or a funny story, and I want to share it with my best friend...but you're not here.

Most days are good, but I'm gonna miss you forever.

Proud of you PFC Whiting.

Love you, Little Brother.

Your Big Sister, Corky






Doug, I know you are watching over all of us who love you...

Thank you for being my best friend...especially when I was 17 and you were only 15...the day I learned I was pregnant and felt like my life was over.

You were the first one to hug me and tell me that everything would be okay. I remember you were crying. I didn't believe it would ever be okay again, but it meant everything that my 'little brother' still loved me.

You know I had to let my precious baby girl, Robin, go.

For years I have wondered where she was...if she still was...hoping her adoptive parents were good people and that Robin had a happy life.

After almost 43 years, Don found me on classmates.com...and I knew I still loved him...we weren't finished. I left California and moved to Nevada to be with him.

We are happily married and God has brought our lives full circle...

On March 20, 2007, we found our daughter.

Her name is Lisa Michele, but she knew her birth name was Robin Leigh Morrison. When her first child, Cameron, was born, Lisa gave him the middle name Lee. She said she wanted to keep something from her past. Lisa also has a daughter, Carlee.

This summer, Lisa, Cameron and Carlee are coming to Nevada to meet us...

Don and I know how blessed we are to have this second chance at love...and to now know our beautiful baby girl is well and happy.

Thank you for helping me...even when I wasn't the nicest sister in the world.

I still feel your presence...and it's a wonderful feeling...

Love you, Doug...

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you Malcolm D. Whiting, III., for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Marine, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you PFC Whiting, for a job well done!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND