THE WALL OF FACES

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

That’s my uncle my mothers brother

I write this on Feb 4th 2021. I recently, went through some old stuff I had stashed up on a shelf in my closet. Some of this saved stuff was folded paper, with notes, in two OLD plastic “pages” from a looong ago worn out wallet.

Picking into the translucent “pages” I pulled out a piece paper with a civilian address on it from a buddy of mine and some other scribbling. The civilian address was of a Vietnam brother that I’m still in contact with. On the flip side of that same piece of paper, there was an address of a guy I’d forgotten about until now. His name was Sam, a Marine. His address was his "Vietnam address", aka his mailing address with unit he served with in Vietnam written in his hand. The photo I have of his note with address will not download on this site. Too bad..

We Army soldiers, and Sam's small Marine canon crew, served on LZ Sharon located three klicks SW of Quang Tri City, in I Corps close to the DMZ. My two man hootch/bunker/tent on Sharon was just down the hill from where his Marine 155 gun battery sat. A few of us Soldiers would go up and watch how the crew worked the cannon. Occasionally, we’d break out a joint and toke up with the guys on the crew, sometimes breakin’ balls as to which service branch was best and other assorted BS that was what we all did to pass time.

With this old new found info I'd discovered, I googled Sam to see what I could find. After several misses, I kept on trying and finally found him. To my sadness, I discovered that he died about six weeks after I left LZ Sharon, on July 4th 1968, to DEROS aka return to the states as my 12 month tour was over. Of all things to happen to a guy in a combat zone, he died in a truck accident on August 30.

I recall that I did what I promised him when I returned to the “World”, aka stateside, for my 30 day leave. I wrote him a letter. I never got a reply. I wondered about him a few times and moved on with life and forgot about him. Until 52.5 years later. Damn war never stops “giving”. I took a deep breath, steadied my mind, reminded myself of the tools I’ve learned to deal with ptsd, and reflected on our brief friendship. Some did give all. SIGH….

So, this my memorial to his memory. Semper Fi my forever young friend: Sam Castellano.

Dear PFC Samuel Castellano,
I hope your photo is put here because this wall of faces is missing yours. Thanks for your service as a Field Artillery Cannoneer. 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.

Semper Fi, Marine.