THE WALL OF FACES

Marine David Callis wrote this letter to his parents in Redwood City, California, before, he was killed in action on March 21, 1966. It was published in the 1968 book “Letters from Vietnam” by author Bill Adler. It appears on page 158 and 159 of the book. This letter was so moving and eloquently written that I have kept a copy on my person for the past 25 years. I share it with all that visit this Wall, in remembrance of him.


Dear everyone in my world:


Tonight is the eve of combat. Tomorrow morning I embark on my first real journey into the unknown, from my own world on nineteen years into the cruel and savage arena of hatred and bloodshed that is called war. We have replaced the blanks with bullets, the lifeless, harmless dummies with metallic missiles capable of quick death and destruction.

Everything we now have goes off with a bog boom. And with each boom people will die.

The jungle, heat, mud, snakes, leeches, insects, and Viet Cong become my adversaries, each one greedily eager to tear at me and snuff out my life. Only God’s will and my training as a Marine give me the chance to survive.

But I feel that I will live to fight another day and fight to live another day. I will survive. I will come home.

Most of us, of not all of us know that the whole world is watching this country that none of us knew before. We all know it is war, and that the stakes are high, maybe higher than we can understand. We also know that there are no winners, only losers.

Some will die that others may live. The losers will find rest in some Vietnam jungle grave. The winners will come home again one day, a little older, a little haggard and battle weary, but a lot wiser. Theirs will not be the victory of battle, but the triumph of humility and an appreciation of life itself, of all we hold to be good and true and noble.

If I should be a loser, my memory will live in you and I will be part of a bigger memory in those who love what is right. If I lose, please don’t morn, but be proud that in my small way I won something for you and all those who love freedom.

I am not afraid, only somewhat apprehensive. Come to think if it, I’d much rather die from a Viet Cong bullet than under the wheels of a speeding car.

Please join me in prayer for a better tomorrow when the horrors of war and the infamy of men will belong to a forgotten people in a forgotten past.

God bless all of you at home. You’re fighting the was in your hearts, with the anguish of watching and waiting hoping only that your prayers for us will be answered.

Now I ask our Father to grant my prayer mercifully for another place and another time without war.

I love you all very much.

Your son and brother,


David.

It is said a man hasn't died as long as he is remembered. This prayer is a way for families, friends and fellow veterans to remember our fallen brothers and sisters. 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 sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush of quiet birds in circled flight, I am the stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die

David is buried at Golden Gate Nat Cem.

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you David George Callis, for your courageous and valiant service, faithful contribution, and your most holy sacrifice given to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore Marine, you shall never be forgotten, nor has your death been in vain!

Again, thank you LCPL Callis, for a job well done!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY MARINE FRIEND