THE WALL OF FACES

Never forgotten.

HOOAH

Thank you for your service to our country so long ago sir. I am 72 and have lived a long and fulfilling life. It is tragic you never had that same opportunity. May you rest in eternal peace.

Charlie Coiley lived across the street from me when I was a kid in Maine. We lived in a rural area so there weren't many other kids. He was four years older than me and took me under his wing. He played the drums and I still remember his rendition of the Sufaris' "Wipe Out." When he got a new baseball glove he gave me his old one, which I still had a couple of decades later before passing it on to another kid--a nephew. He died in Vietnam when he was 18 years old. I was 14. I'll never forget him. I'm glad they built the wall. It's far more meaningful to me than statues of soldiers.

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered. All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Sky Soldier.

On the remembrance of your 69th birthday, your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Forever 18.

HOOAH