THE WALL OF FACES

Today is February 18,2024 and it’s your 54th year of your passing in Vietnam. As I placed flowers at the memorial a cool calm breeze swept my my face and dried my tears. May you rest in peace and love
Love you always your sister
Audrey

On January 23, 2024
TWTH came to Hilo and I was honored along with uncle Toto Edulan were able to escort your panel , at his age of 90 years old it became a full circle for him He escorted you home from Vietnam and now the panel, I miss you so very much! I felt your warm embrace as I touched the wall.
Love your sister,
Audrey

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.