THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. You died at 18 years of age. I am 75 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Dear PFC Robert Zornow, Thank you for your service as an Antitank Assaultman. Saying thank you isn't enough, but it is from the heart. It is spring and Lent. Time passes quickly. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage, guidance, and faithfulness, especially now. Rest in peace with the angels.

The morning of December 7, 1966 I met Bob Zornow. We were both from Rochester, NY, were 17 year olds and had left high school early to enlist in the Marine Corps. The Vietnam War was ongoing, and we knew we were headed there. We both agreed that stories about Marines in combat plus the awesome Dress Blues were strong selling points. We were committed to earning the Eagle, Globe & Anchor so we too could be U.S. Marines.
Being that our last names ended in V and Z, Bob and I were assigned to the same rack. He took the top which was fine with me. For the next 12 weeks we were together day and night. The day after graduation we were put on a bus to Camp Geiger, NC and attended the long version of Infantry Training as Bob was to be a 0311 (Infantryman) and I a 1811 (Tank Crewman). Again we were assigned the same rack and we spent day and night together. By this time we had become as close as brothers.
It is difficult to write about Bob but the motivation is to keep his contribution alive. I do participate in the Legacy Project at Parris Island speaking to graduating Marines. I always include this story of Bob and I…just two 17 year old’s off to war.

This is his boot camp photo from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, Platoon 228. He earned the title “U.S. Marine” on February 16, 1967.

Thank you for your service to our great country my brother. Semper Fi.

Bob and I went to Parris Island together and then Infantry Training at Camp Geiger. We were bunk mates since our names were at the end of the alphabet. We spent time together on leave in Rochester. I never saw Bob again. It turns out we were both in Vietnam at the same time. I see his name in the Memorial in Rochester each week and stop to tell him how much I miss him. Semper Fi