THE WALL OF FACES

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

As long as you are remembered you will never die...

Jim and I served together, 1st Air Cav, Phouc Vin, Viet Nam, 1969-1970, both as helicopter crew chiefs, both so young. I was flying another mission when he went down. He was my best friend,his room was just one down from me, we shared care packages, letters and photo's from home. I've thought of him many times over the years with fondness and sadness. I've searched the internet before looking for information regarding Jim. Got lucky tonight. Thank you. Rest in peace Jim, I'll never forget you....mh

On May 22, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 67-17226) from C Company, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, was conducting a low-level sniffer mission, an airborne personnel detector operation in which equipment in the aircraft was used to detect scents unique to human beings in order to locate enemy soldiers in hidden positions. The mission required that the sniffer aircraft fly at tree-top level, making the helicopter vulnerable to enemy ground fire. On this mission, aircraft 226 had an AH-1G Cobra attack helicopter as an escort. The terrain in which they were operating in Quang Duc Province, RVN, was dense jungle and mountains, with the only forced-landing areas limited to bomb craters. The escort helicopter was directing the flight path of 226 from a higher altitude, performing the missions of navigation and cover for the sniffer aircraft. While traveling to the north on an upslope run, 226 called a Mayday engine failure. The aircraft was observed to attempt an autorotative flare and disappear into the trees. Both the aircraft commander and pilot of the Cobra witnessed the crash. All four crewmen on 226 were killed. They were aircraft commander WO1 John C. Reilly, pilot CPT Richard A. Larson, crew chief SP4 James L. Abler, and gunner PVT Richard W. Mehlharff. A passenger also lost his life, SP4 Charles A. Brooks. Two other passengers were injured. [Taken from vhpa.org]

DEAR SPEC 4 ABLER,

IN THIS HOLIDAY WEEKEND, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER YOU, AND THOSE WHO PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR FREEDOM.

THANK YOU.
REST IN PEACE.

Specialist Four James Lynn Abler, Served with Company C, 227th Assault Helicopter Battalion, 11th Aviation Group, 1st Calvary Division.