THE WALL OF FACES

FOREVER REMEMBERED

"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved them....
Take what they have left and what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own....And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind...."

Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell
KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and Killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.

We Nam Brothers pause to give a backward glance, and post this remembrance to you, one of the gentle heroes lost to the War in Vietnam:

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 your Nam-Band-Of-Brothers

Wow - the most amazing phone call last night from the medic and good friend who treated you - I think he tracked me down from this site. Anyhow, I gave his name and phone number to Roberta and hopefully she will get in touch with him. But I need to update my e-mail address...

Although I’ve never met you and we have never talked I can only imagine what you gave
up to fight for our country in the Vietnam War. The sacrifices must have been great and
I’m sure you missed your family. For this I would like to thank you from the bottom of
my heart.

Thanks again

T.j. Collins

We called you "Rusty" and now your nephew whom you have never seen bears that nickname. He was named Rustin in honor of you. I think you would be proud of all three of your sister's boys. I was still a kid when you lived in our town and attended our high school, but I remember you well. And I remember you going into the military like your dad and I remember being scared when you were sent to Vietnam. It was the most heart wrenching funeral I have ever attended, especially when my classmate played taps and they did the 21 gun salute. Often, around the beginning of May, I would have dreams about you or strong thoughts of you and my mom reminded me that it was the anniversary of your death. We enjoy Roberta and Richard and their boys so much and now their daughters-in-law and grandchildren! I wish we could have shared that with you. I'll never forget you Rusty!

Love from your cousin,
Karen