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 sunlight 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.

I am trying to contact any of Colonel Cole's surviving family members. We are planning a memorial on the 50th anniversary of his death - May 12, 2020. Please contact me at [email protected]

Dear LTC Fred Cole,
Thank you for your service as a Combat Engineer Unit Commander.December is almost gone, along with all the preparations. It is the 3rd Day of Christmas. It is so important for us all to acknowledge the sacrifices of those like you who answered our nation's call. Please watch over America, it stills needs your strength, courage and faithfulness. Rest in peace with the angels.

On May 12, 1970, a U.S. Army helicopter UH-1H (tail number 68-16342) from the 937th Engineer Group was hit by enemy fire and crashed in rough terrain in the Central Highlands, 10 miles southwest of Pleiku and 220 miles northwest of Saigon. The aircraft was brought down by an enemy .51 caliber anti-aircraft gun while COL Carroll E. Adams Jr., commander of the 937th Engineer Group, was giving an aerial tour to MGEN John A.B. Dillard, head of the United States Army Engineer Command in South Vietnam. Both MGEN Dillard and COL Adams, plus eight other Americans were killed in the incident. The lost crew included aircraft commander CW3 Glenn A. Adams, pilot COL Adams Jr. (posthumously promoted to brigadier general), pilot CAPT Raymond R. Dulak Jr., crew chief SP5 Steven R. Renner, and gunner SP4 James H. Rawson. The five lost passengers included MG Dillard, LTC Fred V. Cole, CAPT William D. Booth, 1LT Kenneth F. Rogers, and CSM Griffith A. Jones. A sixth passenger, SMAJ Robert W. Elkey, was the only survivor and was seriously injured. [Taken from vhpa.org, arlingtoncemetery.net, wikipedia.org, and coffeltdatabase.org]

Dear LTC Fred Vincent Cole, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter