THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Spec 4 Albert Burciaga,
Thank you for your service as an Airborne Qualified Infantryman. Your 69th Birthday is in a week. Happy Birthday. It is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Dear SP4 Albert Burciaga, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, Sir

Curt Carter

I as well as other family members would be interested in hearing from anyone who may have known the Uncle that I never knew.

Dear Uncle, I never knew you but have heard so many good things about you. You never knew a stranger, you were very popular with the girls. And no matter where you were you always managed to go to the first church you came upon. I take comfort in kowing that you are there with your maker and have solice in the fact that you are also there with your Mother, who, loved you and missed you for the rest of her life here on earth. She never forgot her fallen Son, who made the ultimate sacrifice for me and the rest of his family. So that we may continue in the name of FREEDOM!!!! Thank you for you Honorable Service,Dear Uncle.

How I remember Albert Burciaga. Sometime in August of 1967 I met Al my first day in the field with Charlie Company 2/327 Battalion of the 101st Airborne. Our platoon leader Lt. White gave him the assignment of showing me the ropes. Al smiled his boyish smile and introduced himself as Spaghetti a nickname he was given by the members of the 4th platoon. Al always had a smile on his face. He looked young, even younger than I did at the time. Well he showed me things during those first days, like how to make a cooking stove from a C-ration can. He thought me how to set up a poncho hooch at night with a low profile so it could not be easily seen. He showed me the trick of using insect repellant around ones sleeping area to ward off the land leeches. Over the weeks and months Spaghetti and I were night buddies and talked a lot about home. It was apparent he came from a family that had taught him the importance of respecting all people. He was always willing to share be it material items or mental thoughts. I remember Al would pray every morning before we moved out and again at night before he went to sleep. He was the type of person you wish you could know for the rest of your life. His family must be proud of what an outstanding person he was. Like so many, his life was cut short due to combat. To this day I think of Albert Burciaga often and remember how fortunate I am to have known someone as kind and brave as he.