THE WALL OF FACES

Dear PFC Jose Carmen Alvarez, 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, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

I don't remember you at age one,
Not much better at two,
At age three, you were a bit blurry, but this doesn't mean you never existed.
You were real. And I know because of the constant reminder of tears.
Even though I don't remember you, you still inspired me to succeed, to better my life as I grew. Something I know you would have done for yourself.
So, you see you do exist, and you have not left us or me. Because you are real.

Jose is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, Los Angeles, CA. BSM

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

I wasn't fortunate enough to meet you,Tio. I truly feel we (my children (Stephanie and Noel), my siblings (Deleyna, Ezequiel and Evita), cousins (Alex, Susie, Beto, Adan, Baruc, Sarita, Angel, Krysty, Catalina, Diego, Nalo and Turtle),myself, and many, many more...) missed out on not ever knowing such a beautiful person. You were still a baby in my eyes. At the present age of 30, I(unfortunately) got to see how your death crushed my Abuelito Reynaldo (R.I.P.), my Abuelita Cristina (R.I.P.), my Mom, and your siblings (Espiridion, Lupillo, Kiti, Susie, Lalo). Tio, Rest In Peace. I know you look over us each and every day. YOU'RE OUR HERO. I love you. You will (and have always been) in my heart and prayers. QUE DIOS TE BENDIGA.