THE WALL OF FACES

SP4 Lester W. Alipio was an Army construction draftsman serving with 510th Engineer Detachment, 159th Engineer Group, 20th Engineer Brigade, U.S. Army Republic of Vietnam Engineer Command. At the beginning of his eighth month in Vietnam, Alipio was hospitalized near Can Tho in Vinh Long Province, RVN, on February 17, 1971, for what was determined to be a splenic artery aneurysm. He died the following day from a brain injury secondary to cerebral hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm. Alipio was 21 years old. Following his death, the body was forwarded to the U.S. Army Mortuary at Tan Son Nhut Air Base and turned over to Graves Registration personnel. After processing, it was transported to Hawaii for return to his family. Alipio was posthumously promoted to Sergeant. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org]

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

Image courtesy of Redbird Research LLC, Saint Charles, MO.

Sgt Lester Alipio is buried at East Hawaii Veterans' Cemetery Number 1 in Hilo, Hawaii.

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 sun 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.