THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from Russ Shumard is moving. As long as you are remembered you will always be with us…..

Each year on Memorial Day men of F3 Nation run/walk from Parkland Plaza in Cayce, SC to Memorial Park in Columbia, SC. Each participant selects the name of a service member who died for our country to honor. In some cases the men run/walk in memory or honor of a family member, friend, co-worker. In other cases, like mine, the men pick a name at random. Today I walked the 4 miles in honor of and memory of PFC Roger Lee Carpenter of Columbia, SC. He is a person who I have never met. However, he is one of the over one million casualties of US service members killed over the course of history. His name, and all the other million plus names of those who perished, are important and deserve honor. Thank you sir for you service. Rest In Peace.

Dear PFC Roger Carpenter,
I hope your photo is put here because this is a wall of faces and yours is missing. Thank you for your service as an Armor Crewman. 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 strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

Roger was my uncle. The night before he died I saw him on NBC TV in a news segment about water being delivered to the troops. The next day, Easter, I gladly shared that with my aunt, his widow, little knowing he was likely dead at that point. I wrote him a letter that day.

Dear PFC Roger Lee Carpenter, 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