Once a year...,

[flotsam]

For my brother Brian, 1st of the 506th 101 Airborne RVN 70-71...

One bad might 26 Jun 1970

https://www.virtualwall.org/dk/KoernerRL01a.htm
https://www.virtualwall.org/dg/GarzaJA01a.htm
https://www.virtualwall.org/dc/CambasVB01a.htm
https://www.virtualwall.org/dc/CliburnHD01a.htm

Every year I visit this wall and think about the horror of that night and pray for Brian and all the other survivors. I ain't been there and most likely neither have you. Picnics and summer are a good things to celebrate but take just a short time and reflect on what was asked (or demanded) of men who were barely past childhood a half century ago.

[MLAA]

1. So young, so sad. Such loss.

Seeing the two pictures made me cry. The loss. A picture really is worth 1000 words.

Thank you for sharing.

[flotsam]

2. Yep

...the phrase is "we were soldiers once, and young". I was also but blessed to spend my time stateside. An older sargent was mortally wounded that night. He was very senior, about 25. He was medivaced at sunrise the next day. I haven't found him yet-probably on a different panel of the wall since he died later. 10 days later my brother was the RTO when this guy was killed in a friendly fire incident-be sure to read his sister's letter on that page.
https://www.virtualwall.org/dp/PorterSH01a.htm

[MLAA]

5. Thanks for sharing the link

[renate]

3. I am truly sorry for your loss and for everything Brian lost

So heartbreakingly, shatteringly young. It’s too sad to even fully absorb however hard we might try. It’s just so wrong.

If only there were words, but there aren’t. It’s too unfair, too awful, too tragic.

[Duppers]

4. My dear, dear friend, 51yrs ago.

51 yrs, 3 days ago...

https://www.virtualwall.org/dm/MolleyCA01a.htm

Begged him to go to Canada. I visit the wall once a year...and cry.