THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Lt Dennis Burke,
Thank you for your service as an Infantry Unit Commander with the 1st Cavalry. 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.

Dennis was in my platoon at Fort Jackson in the summer of 1966.
I remember him well since our last names are the same but we are not related.
I learned of his death many years after he passed. I was a clerk in Vietnam & never saw any action. I have a great deal of respect for people like Dennis who did the real work in Southeast Asia.

Dennis lived across the street from me. I was 9 years old when he died. I have no recollection of him at all, but his mom was my Godmother. I remember the sadness and the heartbreak that followed his mom and dad right to their deaths. Dennis was always one of those people we talked about, "the guy who died fighting for his country." My older brother followed him to Vietnam a fews years later and came back. I can't really say the brother that left is the one who returned. I served in the military also, and it was because of the men like Dennis that I feltI had an obligation to serve. GodSpeed Sir and Thank You!.

Dear 2LT Dennis Edward Burke, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

All I can recall about Dennis, my first cousin, was he was serving in the Peace Corps in Africa following his graduation from college but was served a draft notice to serve in Vietnam.

I was 11 when he was killed in action. He was riding in a vehicle that hit a land mine and was thrown from the vehicle and died from injuries received. My mother ( a registered nurse) told me he didn't have any visible wounds when she viewed him at the funeral home and that he looked perfect.

I really didn't understand what she meant but now realize it must have been bittersweet for those family members that did get to view him to say their goodbyes and saw a perfect, young man of 25 years of age who gave his life for our country.