THE WALL OF FACES

My father was killed in Nam when I was nine. He was kind, caring, loving, giving to all in need, funny, could show up anyone on the dance floor, a great dad and husband, and so much more. Funny how little time I had with him but all this I remember.
There is a book of his account in Nam. JOURNAL OF A COMBAT TANKER, covers the combat of these Brothers in Arms. In one of the chapters it talks about May 2, 1969. It talks about that day in combat and the day it took the life of two NCO officers. One of these was my dad. He was the one on the front of the tanker.
It took me may years to find out the truth of his death. Many!
My search paid off and brought me new, positive people in my life.
To Thomas. Boling, (dads best friend and brother in Nam and forever, and mine forever), William Jackson, ( who helped me find the truth and informed me of the book), and Larry Happel (who served with dad in Fort Meade, Maryland and referred to him as his mentor), I am honored to have you in my life even on the other side of a monitor and thank you for your service. The best thing that could happen is that we all meet one day.
Today, dad would be 80. He was killed at 33. Seems unreal. Many things like never getting to see a man walk on the moon...wow!
He is around, always. I know because he drops coins around the house as a sign. Mom always said he was wasteful with money and would give anyone almost his whole check if they were down on their luck.
So, I will end by saying, "dad can you drop some hundreds?"
Love you dad....forever and always.

Dear MSGT James Gilbert Case, 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

James is buried at Gettysburg National Cemetery.

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

Slip off that pack. Set it down by the crooked trail. Drop your steel pot alongside. Shed those magazine-ladened bandoliers away from your sweat-soaked shirt. Lay that silent weapon down and step out of the heat. Feel the soothing cool breeze right down to your soul ... and rest forever in the shade of our love, brother.

From your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

As one of the 1046 Marylanders who made the ultimate sacrifice we are honored to post your photograph. Operation Remember will continue until we have recovered the photos of all our fallen brothers from the State of Maryland.

Visit www.vva451.org and click on the Operation Remember banner for more details about this project of remembrance.

Jim Gerity
Chairperson
Operation Remember
Vietnam Veterans of America
Baltimore, Chapter 451
www.vva451.org