THE WALL OF FACES

Clyde, I never met you but I knew your parents. I loved them like my own and they treated me like their Son. I spent holidays with them in Agoura and spent time with them in their cigar shop. They always spoke of you and your Mom always shed a tear, especially around your death anniversary. You guys are all together now. I miss them so much and wish I could of met you. See you all again one day.

On October 30, 1969, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1B (tail number 63-08587) from the 48th Assault Helicopter Company “Jokers” was shot down during the siege of Firebase Kate in Quang Duc Province, RVN. Four crewmen were lost in the incident. The aircraft reportedly was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade which took off a portion of its tail boom, causing the crash which killed pilots CW2 Nolan E. Black and CW2 Maury W. Hearne, crew chief SP4 Clyde L. Canada, and gunner SP5 Douglas H. Lott Jr. Kate, a remote hilltop outpost five miles northwest of Bu Prang, had been under siege by three North Vietnamese Army regiments which had crossed the Cambodian border and attacked. The Americans and their Montagnard militiamen held off repeated ground assaults by the Communist forces. After five days, Kate's defenders were out of ammunition and water. A young Green Beret captain led the troops off the hill on a daring night march through enemy-occupied territory, successfully evading the NVA, and reaching friendly lines. [Taken from coffeltdatabase.org, vhpa.org, and wikipedia.org]

Dear Sgt Clyde Canada,
Thank you for your service as a Huey, UH-1 Helicopter Repairer. Today is the first day of autumn, and time has passed since this war. It is important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On 6 Nov 2015, the Veterans of the 48th Assault Helicopter Company, known as "Blue Stars", dedicated a Memorial Monument at Fort Rucker, Alabama honoring the service of the unit in Vietnam and especially the 36 Blue Star Fallen Heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country during the period 6 Nov 1965 to 23 Aug 1972. SGT Clyde Lee Roy Canada was one of those heroic members of the unit until the time of his death.

The back image of the Monument may be seen at “SEE ALL PHOTOS” above.

Clyde, my dad was Bob Wesley. Dad never forgot you his entire life. If there is an afterlife then I'm sure two years ago he got to tell you that himself. I'm working on a Memorial Day meditation and am thinking of you. I will carry on Dad's job of keeping your memory alive in my heart. He told me many stories of your childhood antics. You were loved and missed.