THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

Semper Fi, Marine

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us...

Victor Rest in peace you will never be forgotten !
Broox

Victor........Honoring you on your birthday.....Never forgotten.......God Bless

Victor; Just passed midnight @0035, 27 June 1967, Khe Sanh Combat Base received more than 50 rounds of 82 mm mortars killing 4 and wounding 76 and killing one Vietnamese ARVN Liaison Officer. At 0525 hrs., the base was again hit with approximately 50 rounds of 122 mm rockets. I am a survivor of these attacks. But only by the grace of God almighty, I, Sgt., Jim "Ollie" Collins was spared from this bees nest of rockets and shrapnel, but still haunted by the screams of those wounded and the smell of lingering sulfur from the many detonated mortar and rocket rounds that rained down on us! You paid the "ultimate sacrifice along with 29 other warriors. I will always remember and will never, never forget this heroism and sacrifice made by you and your brother Marine's for freedom, democracy and a better way of life for all.

"UPON HEAVENS SCENES"

And so in the end, my fallen brothers, the Regiment will emerge from the ashes and dust, like a grand phoenix. We shall return to the battlefields of Vietnam to mend our mangled, torn, bullet reddened bodies, and you shall be made whole once again. We shall march together in the rain and the wind through the corridor of death at Cobi Thanh Tan as we did, so long ago. This time will be different. This time nothing shall harm us. This time nothing shall stop us. This time we are invincible. Monsoon waters will not crack our hands and bleed our feet. Insects will not eat our flesh. Bullets shall not pierce us. Bombs shall not impact our flanks. Trip wires will fade at our crossing. Our boots shall not stink, but rise above mud sucking rice fields and our packs with equipment shall be of burden no more. The fog shall lift as a giant curtain, before us as we make our final approach to the mountain base of Khe Sanh. Golden sun shall warm our faces and our hymn will be playing. There will be no pain now. We shall rise above the Red Clay plateau marching in column across rolling hills, jungle canopies and mountain tops. It is there we will enter the great eternal spirit camp of our fore fathers. The place warriors go. For it is there we can finally rest. For it is there we can finally sleep. For it is there as we gaze upon heaven's scenes, we shall find positions guarded by the 26th Marines at Khe Sanh. Written by "Paul Choclis" a brother Marine, Khe Sanh Veteran, Spring of 2003. You will never be forgotten. A great and unimaginable loss. A gentleman for sure. A prolific Leatherneck, without a doubt. A man with unquestionable loyalty. A courageous individual. He will be missed by many, to include his brother Marines affiliated with the "Khe Sanh Veterans Association." With deepest sympathy, may Victor's family, friends and those who had the privilege to know him, be comforted by all the great memories of him. May he rest in peace and honor. "Semper Fidelis" Jim "Ollie" Collins, Khe Sanh Veteran, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion 26th Marines Corps Regiment "THE PROFESSIONALS."