THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never truly die....

On April 11, 1968, a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter UH-34D (tail number 145804) from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 163 (HMH-163) was involved in a mid-air collision with a U.S. Marine Corps UH-1E helicopter (tail number 154968) from Marine Observation Squadron 6 (VMO-6) with the loss of twelve personnel. The UH-34D, call sign Seaworthy 4-5, was launched on an emergency medevac mission with two VMO-6 Huey gunship escorts to pick up some wounded Marines in the hills around Khe Sanh. They were on their way to Delta Med at Dong Ha when they collided and crashed near the abandoned refugee camp at Cam Lo. The gunships were flying above and behind the UH-34, as usual. According to one of the gunners on the second gunship, the 34 and lead Huey just "kind of kissed" and both went down. The UH-34 was torn apart and the UH-1E was consumed by fire. The lost UH-34 crew included aircraft commander CPT Eugene R. Gannon, co-pilot 2LT John P. Holden II, crew chief CPL Frederick D. Graten, and gunner CPL John A. Nixon. The passengers were CPL Robert W. Belcher, PFC Dennis R. Davidson, PFC Richard E. Erwin, and PFC Charles R. Finley. The lost gunship crew was aircraft commander 1LT Ronald E. Riede, co-pilot CPT Bruce F. McMillan, crew chief CPL Paul J. Allen, and gunner LCPL Michael G. Demarco. [Taken from vhpa.org and popasmoke.com]

Corporal Paul James Allen, Served with Marine Observation Squadron 6 (VMO-6), Marine Aircraft Group 36 (MAG-36), 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW), Third Marine Amphibious Force.

DEAR CORPORAL ALLEN,
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AS AN AIRCRAFT CNE/WEAPON.DECM SYSTEM TECHNICIAN.
REST IN PEACE AND SEMPER FI.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor Paul.