THE WALL OF FACES

I was four years old when my dad's only brother was killed in June of '68. Larry was his birth name, but Beanie was his nickname (from an encounter with beans in his nose as a toddler). I have faint memories of Beanie, but a very strong sense of loss even now 33 years later. After Beanie's death I would associate any airplane as Beanie's heading off to a distant place I couldn't comprehend. Everytime I saw a jet in the sky I would make my grandma (Bean's mom) pull over and get out of the car and wave to the plane, little did I know at the time that his plane would never come back home to us. We miss him daily and pray to God to rest his soul and give him peace.

I still remember you Bennie. Thats what his friends called him and Im proud to say that I was his friend.We grew up playing baseball and running around together. I remember him being a ruff and tough guy with a great heart .We played ball together and just had a good time. He was a guy you could always rely on to be there for you when you needed a friend. I know he would have done good things had he had the chance. You were a great guy Larry and my buddy. I have not forgotten you.