THE WALL OF FACES

Semper Fidelis, Marine.

I'll never forget our days together at Camp Carroll, and Khe San. Im honored to have served with you.

He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he told us so.
In honesty, in affection, he tiold us so.
He loved us so.
Every day, in a hundred ways, he showed us so.
With loyalty, and bravery, he showed us so.
He was our defender, and he kept us free!
He took an oath to guard us, and fought for liberty!
He loved us so, and we should know.
For we loved huim so.
LCPL Burkhardt, you were Elizabeth's bravest hero, who fought for the right, without question or pause! You had been there and done that in Vietnam! You were the very essence of duty, honor, and country! With justice in your heart, you had set forth to defend liberty everywhere! Your home town is VERY proud of you! I believe that Avonmore's own Jill Corey, whom I admire IMMENSELY as one of my three top favorite songbirds of all time, the other two being Julie Andrews, England's musical queen, and Dusty Springfield, another thrush fropm England who, unfortunately passed on some years ago, would be proud of your service to America, and the sacrifices made by you to keep our country free! Well done, Marine! Be thou at peace. SEMPER FI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My brother Thomas left college to join the Marines after being moved by the presidents speech 'ask not what your country can do for you...' He did not have to go but unselfishly he did. He served his country well and his job was to check for landmines. He died doing this job and returned home in pieces... in a bag. My fathers friend had to identify the body because he could not bear to see his only son that way. I still remember my mother telling me of how she was doing laundry and heard the knock on the door and saw the men dressed in military fashion and she would not answer the door. My brother gave of himself and died for his country like so many others. We should not only remember and honor them this memorial day... but be more like them. In all things, give 100 percent of yourself and put others first. Be willing to put it all on the line. Live life to the fullest and serve others without limits.

May God bless those who died for this great country and also be with their families and friends who remember them today and every day.

Thank you to all who served and who are actively serving. God bless you and may God bless America.

Dear LCPL Thomas Alan Burkhardt, 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