The Wall - Memorial Day Commemoration from Aristotle Internet Access

"The final test of a leader is that he leaves behind him in
other men the conviction and the will to carry on."
Walter Lippmann

Edward Cain

WWII

I came to know him when he was in his 70s and full of life. As a substitute, he shared invaluable knowledge of his life experiences with my 11th gr. class. They all loved him dearly. He was a special man. He retired from 26 yrs service as a substitute at our school but he continued to return every year and share his experiences in WWII with my classes. He became like a grandfather to me. There aren't many WWII vets left but I respect them all- good bye Mr.Cain- I love you!!
— Robin Dorman

Sgt. Nathan Rath

OIF 1 and 2

I am very proud of your service and everything you have done for all Americans.
— Mrs. Nathan Rath

Msgt John Allen Waters,USAF

Vietnam War

Foxtrot- Delta- Lima:Hold the Line
— D.Waters

Navajo Code Talkers

WWII through VietNam

You are unsung heroes. Thank you for all you did for our country. Your patriotism in enlisting in the USMC, your creativity in developing the code, your bravery and success in implementing the code for more than two decades merits so much more appreciation than you have received.
— Karen L. Brown

John J. Morris, III-Navy

Vietnam

You served your country proudly and bravely during the Thet Offensive and afterwards while your loving family hoped and prayed for your safe return and that your firstborn would someday soon be blessed with the opportunity to meet her Daddy and be loved by him.
— C. S. Morris

All veterans living and dead

All Wars

You have given your country, your lives, your time, and your hearts for a cause you believed in. Words cannot express the thanks we owe you. I fly the American flag everyday for you.
— Joe Whittington 101st abn

BM3 Jessie Raymond Bateman

Viet Nam

In remembrance of my late husband, Jessie Raymond Bateman. Lost so many years ago in this awful conflict...his best friend accidentally shot him, but he will still be remembered as a brave man who stood up for his country. He loved life and loved our country and freedom.
— Diana Bateman Neal

BM3 Jessie Raymond Bateman

Viet Nam

In remembrance of my late husband, Jessie Raymond Bateman—lost so many years ago in this awful conflict. His best friend accidentally shot him, but he will still be remembered as a brave man who stood up for his country. He loved life and loved our country and freedom.
— Diana Bateman Neal

All Service Men--Past-Present-Future

May we all remember each and every soldier. God Bless all who keep our country safe. And God Bless AMERICA.
— DT ROGERS

Fred Wentz & Charlie Reed

Vietnam

Not a day goes by that I don't think & remember these two men who were the first two KIA's from my unit near CuChi. May they always be remembered by all who loved them.
— Harry T. Kiley - 25th Div Arty - 1966

the salovation aemy

WorldWar2

In honor of the Army in New York City. We thank you and we love you.
— the pastioza &martinez family

Mstr. Sgt. Kevin Neil Morehead

Iraq

Kevin died on September 12, 2003 in a night raid. He was team leader of his Special Forces Team. He was 33 years old. He was coming home in 2 weeks. He got a purple heart, bonze star, silver star, and lots of other metals. He was a husband, brother, son, cousin and a hero. He died doing what he loved for his country. He was from Little Rock, Arkansas.
— Ann Wagner

William G. Zaininger

WWII

A tribute to my father. Daddy, you used to tell us stories about the war. You told us about the five European Invasions you were in. You told us how you watched a man die next to you, while the tube that was connected from you to him was giving him your blood. You told us how a woman gave you a gold cross, thanked you for giving her starving baby several cases of canned milk, and said that if you wore the cross you would make it home safely. You told us descriptively about the damage the war did in Europe. You told us there would be a day that terrible things happened in the U.S. It's been nearly seven years since you passed away. I'm thankful you didn't have to witness the tragedy of 9-11, as you witnessed enough during your war. I love you, Daddy; and I miss you terribly.
— Barbara Cash

Donald A. Martin

Vietnam

Westville, OK resident Just out of high school, Don went to Vietman. I'll never forget walking as a group from our school campus to your closed casket service. You paid the ultimate price for my/our freedom. It's been over 30 years and I still think of you and your family. Remembering...
— Mona L. Meyer McCoy Roache

Robert W. Wallace

D Day

Bob, The sacrifice that you made and the scars of battle that you carry to this day are appreciated more than we can express in words. Thank you for what you have done and for what you mean to us.
— Dale & Geneva Aldridge

Arthur Hamilton Hansen III, Fighter Pilot

Vietnam

A couple of years ago I started really thinking about what you did for our country and how I took it for granted all these years. I think the movie "Saving Private Ryan" had something to do with it. Well, then I started calling you every Memorial Day and thanking you for your service and commitment to our country, but now, I can only write it here. Thank you Dad for your service & love for this country! God is still good! I Love you,
— Your son Scott

Roger Schmitt

WW II

My father participates in the American Legion Honor Guard for Military funerals. He believes it is his honor and duty to provide Military funerals for all those who have served their country. With so many WWII vets dying these days and so few left to do these tasks, he provides this service almost on a weekly basis.
— Monica Heseman

PFC Forrest Baker

Viet Nam

We were care-free and enjoying the time of our innocent age, those high school years of 1965 thru 67; we had our faith, our friends, our dreams and we both knew our savior and of heaven. As high school was ending, and the dreaded draft notice beckoned for young men to answer the call, how little we realized how things would change and what we knew and grasped would shake or fall. A year ahead was I and sent to Europe in the USAF while you in Army or Marines (I never knew) were sent to fight the nightmare of Viet Nam; but something happened to you that changed your life - something I'll never be able to understand. Like so many others, and in just two years, Southeast Asia scarred you terribly; later on a visit I wanted to renew old times, but to you old times were an ancient and forgotten memory. I never saw you that visit, nor have I since, as further separated we became by time and distance; but you should know you've never been forgotten, and as the years have slowly passed I've often thought of you and your circumstance. We both served our country, though worlds apart; I just wanted you to know, that you've always been remembered from the heart.
— Paul H. Boliou

Riley

WWII

My father served in the Navy on the USS Smith. Nicknamed the "Grey Ghost of the Pacific, the Smith was reported sunk by the Japanese nine times. The only horror he spoke of during his time on the Smith was a kamakazi plane that crashed onto its deck. He never told us about any of the dark times he must have endured, but he told us how to get a destroyer through the Suez Canal and of many great adventures in far away places. In later years he yearned to make one of the ship's reunions, but was unable to make the trips. I learned from him courage and comradarie, and I miss him so much.
— Rachella Goforth Harlan

REV. E.W. HACKLER

WAR II

My father-in-law, Rev. E.W. Hackler served in Australia during World War II as a medic. He was shot and received a Purple Heart medal for his work. He passed away in December of 2001. He was one of the greatest men and Christians I have ever known.
— DR. JOHN F. SCHEEL

Don Morency

WW2

For his service to his country. USAAF 1940'sJim
— JIM

LTC Jim Keeton

WWII

My tribute is to the father of a dear friend of mine:

LTC Jim Keeton, an Arkansas native, and veteran of the battle of Dutch Harbor passed away this past year. He was a member of Arkansas' own 206th Coastal Artillery.

"As I stood in the snow, in dress greens, saluting to the sad sound of taps, I realized just what an honor it is to have been even a small part of your life."

I am, sir, respectfully yours,

Maj Dallas Harmon
Field Artillery
Never Give Up!

— MAJ Dallas Harmon

Edward Cain, Sr.

WWII

My grandfather died in 1990 with pieces of a grenade in his back. I did not find this out until after he died. He never mentioned it. Thank you PaPa for sacrificing for us.
— Tim Cain

Dave Sims

Vietnam War

You have passed on now. I know you questioned your faith because of what you saw there. It changed your life forever. By knowing you, you changed mine We thank you for the sacrifices that you made, We Love and miss you very much.
— Kim Hendrix

"So on the ocean of life we pass and speak one another,
Only a look and a voice; then darkness again and a silence."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Home / The Wall / Military / Memorials / Wars / Personal Histories