THE WALL OF FACES

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. The remembrance from your son Ray is especially poignant. As long as you are remembered you will remain in our hearts forever...

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point - a Firstie in Cadet Company A-2, USCC when Rocky was a Plebe in Co. K-2 and a brother Airborne-Ranger - Major Raymond Celeste Jr., USMA Class of 1956, on what would’ve been his 90th birthday - 26 September 2021.

May those who served never be forgotten. Rest in peace MAJ. Celeste, I salute your brave soul. My heart goes out to you and your family.

I want to welcome and thank all of you for coming to this event. Special thanks are in order for Bill Schrage, one of our father’s classmates and the organizer of this event. As many of you know, our father was the first one of his class killed in action during the Vietnam War. A total of 11 of the West Point Class of 1956 were killed in action in Vietnam, and this is the 34th year of this event being held.
I have been to many of these prior events as have my mother, my brother Rob, and my Uncle Frank and my beloved late Aunt Lorraine Grippi. I first came to this exceptional monument the weekend of the dedication. It was dedicated on 13 November 1982 when I was a candidate at the Marine Corps Officer Candidates Course.
I was in attendance for the dedication of the Women’s Vietnam Memorial on 11 November 1993. Additionally, I was at the dedication of the Korean War Memorial on 27 July 1995.
I have taken my friends and family to this monument as it is a reminder of our father’s sacrifice and the names of other service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. Also, in addition to our father’s name being on this panel is the name of Specialist Terry Wintermoyer , his radio operator, also killed in action on that fateful day 22 November 1965 some 55 years ago. Terry Wintermoyer is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and was from Silver Spring, Maryland.
I have had the pleasure years ago to meet his parents and to pay my respects to him at his gravesite. My cousin, Ron Celeste, years ago was paying his respects to his Uncle here, panel 103E, and some of Terry’s family members came there at the same time to pay their respects. What a coincidence!
I am so very honored to be here among this august groups as you pay your respects and homage to our father and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our beloved and great Nation.
Our Father was the first of our family to attend West Point. He wanted to go there according to his brother Ron, ever since he was a boy. He started a tradition of family members aspiring to attend West Point. It led to one of his nephews going to West Point, Ron Celeste class of 1984. During Ron’s time there he was having trouble with one of his courses and a classmate of Dad’s helped Ron out by tutoring him which was very helpful to Ron successfully passing the course. Subsequently, Ron's son Matt and a cousin, William Lutz, have all graduated from West Point. So, you can see; our Father's legacy lives!

The “Friends of Rocky Versace” once again remember one of Rocky’s fellow alumni from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point - and a brother Airborne-Ranger - MAJ Raymond Celeste Jr., USMA class of 1956, on what would’ve been his 87th birthday - 26 September 2018.