THE WALL OF FACES

I knew Steve in the days when he lived in Odessa, Texas. He was killed at the ammo dump in an accidental explosion. Had already been awarded a Purple Heart for a previous wound. He was also posthumously awarded a Bronze Star. Graduate of the NCO Academy at Harmony Church, Fort Benning, Georgia. A great Soldier.

Steve,
Found an old photo of you in the boonies. You will never be forgotten by those who served with you.
God Bless You

Always Remembered

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 all your "Band of Nam Brothers"

Everyday, Ordinary American Men
A Vietnam Veterans Tribute

SOLDIER, SAILOR, AIRMAN, COAST GUARD, MARINE,
FROM ALL ACROSS THE LAND THEY CAME, EVERY RACE, EVERY CREED.
AS THIER FATHERS AND FOREFATHERS BEFORE THEM, WHEN THEIR COUNTRY CALLED THEY STEPPED FORWARD.
ALBEIT AT A TIME WHEN THE NATION WAS EMBROILED IN BITTER DISCORD,
AT THE PRIME OF THEIR YOUNG LIVES, THEY DID NOT SHIRK FROM THE SPECTER OF WAR.
CAUGHT UP IN A POLITICAL MAELSTROM NOT OF THEIR MAKING,
THEY WERE HURLED ONWARD TO A RENDEZVOUS WITH HARDSHIP AND STRIFE.
EVERYDAY, ORDINARY AMERICAN MEN

THIS MONUMENT NOW STANDS BEFORE US,
ITS’ BOLD AND IMPOSING BEAUTY BESPEAKS A SOLEMN AND SILENT TRIBUTE.
BUT NO STRUCTURE, NO MATTER HOW GREAT, TRULY PAYS JUST TRIBUTE,
TO THE HONORED DEAD WHO’S NAMES ARE INSCRIBED THERE.
TO THE MAIMED, THE DISABLED, THE EMOTIONALLY SCARRED, THE MISSING IN ACTON,
THE SCAR OF THE VIETNAM WAR WILL NEVER HEAL.
TO THE YOUNG LIVES BARELY LIVED, TO THE YOUNG LOVES HARDLY LOVED,
TO THE WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THAT WE WILL NEVER KNOW,
DEAR GOD, LET THEIR HALLOWED MEMORY FOREVER BURN BRIGHT.
LET THERE BE MEANING AND PURPOSE TO THEIR DEATH,
FOR WITHOUT IT, THIS MONUMENT WILL NEVER BE ANYTHING MORE THAN COLD STONE AND MORTAR,
AN EMPTY SYMBOL WITHOUT SENSE OR MEANING.
LET US AMERICANS EVERYWHERE, DEDICATE US, TO GIVING IT MEANING AND PURPOSE.
LET IT MEAN THAT NEVER AGAIN, WILL THIS NATION SHED ITS YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN’S BLOOD IN A CAUSE WITHOUT RESOLVE.
LET IT MEAN THAT WE WILL DEVOTE SPECIAL CARE AND ATTENTION TO DISABLED VETERANS FROM ALL WARS.
THAT, WE WILL PAY WHATEVER THE PRICE, GIVE WHATEVER IT TAKES, TO HELP THEM EASE THEIR BURDEN.

THE "WHY", OF VIETNAM MAY NEVER BE ANSWERED, THE SACRIFICE NEVER VINDICATED;
BUT LET NO ONE DARE QUESTION THE FIBER OF THE MEN AND WOMEN,
WHO ANSWERED THE CALL OF THE UNCERTAIN TRUMPET.
THEY RISKED AND LOST, LIFE AND LIMB TO SERVE THEIR COUNTRY.
THEY ARE THE MARK AND CALIBER BY WHICH GREAT NATIONS ARE MEASURED.
LET US NEVER DEMEAN THOSE WHO HAVE CARRIED THIS COUNTRY'S BANNER INTO BATTLE.
THEY GAVE TO US THEIR VERY LIVES AND THEIR FUTURES,
WE COULD NEVER HOPE TO REPAY TO THEM THEIR JUST DUE.
MAY THE DAY NEVER COME, WHEN THE COUNTRY CALLS, AND THE CALL GOES UNHEEDED.
LET US ALL NOW JOIN HANDS AS UNITED AMERICANS,
AND AS ONE VOICE, REACH OUT, AND LOUDLY AND PROUDLY PROCLAIM:
"WELCOME HOME-AT LAST TOGETHER WE WILL HEAL THE WOUND"
AND IN A SPIRIT OF LOVE AND THANKSGIVING, EMBRACE THESE,
EVERYDAY, ORDINARY AMERICAN MEN



DON BUZNEY USMC 1967-71

Dear Steve,

We spent many days together in the 2nd platoon. I remember our friendship and the many stories we told about home.

You are missed by all the men who served with you. You were a warrior, hero and patriot.
You will always be remembered, and never forgotten.
I recently connected with Dick Mcbain..also a very good friend of yours, fron your squad. we talked and remembered our times with you.
God bless you and grant you peace.
Strike Force!!

Bill Nelson