THE WALL OF FACES

Dear Captain Franklin D. Bynum,

Remembering you and those you served with 50 years ago. Thank you, sir, for your service, you will not be forgotten.

With respect, Sir

Dear Captain Franklin Delano Bynum, 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

Semper Fi Captain.

I was a 12 year old kid in the Fall of ’66 and remember very clearly Captain Bynum coming out to practice at 4:00 each afternoon at Cabrini Playground (New Orleans) in his Marine uniform and garrison cap. I remember a tall, lean, good-looking, blonde, short-haired man that the kids (many of my best friends) liked playing for. I was on a different team and was not lucky enough to play for him, but always remembered him as a man who was always smiling as he came out to practice and the kids waiting for his arrival each afternoon. And of course I still remember the sadness when our Coach Shuler told our team the next fall ('67) of his death. I never forgot him and this is why I went looking for his name as I have many times in the past. I see that my old friend Glen Fallon remembers Capt. Bynum also and that is wonderful that this man has never been forgotten (Glenn's Dad was an excellent football and baseball coach at the playground and likely coached with Capt. Bynum). Capt. Bynum may have been stationed in New Orleans only a short time, but I assure you he made an impression on many young kids who enjoyed playing kids rec sports. He was the type of coach that all kids should have; the term was not used back then, but today he would be called a positive role model as he taught kids how to play football and encouraged them to try and be the best they could be.

I thank you, Coach/ Capt. Bynum, for the sacrifice you made for us to enjoy freedom. And I wanted Coach/ Capt. Bynum's family to know that he is still remembered to this day.

[I also offer remembrance and thanks to the other soldier on the Vietnam Memorial Wall, who also coached in the New Orleans Recreation Department. Robert "Tiger" Brupbacher coached at our rival playgrounds where I had friends play, Union Playground and Oak Park Playground.]

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, percghance, may therein comfort you.