14 Oct 2007 Eric, I owe you a sincere apology. I did not really understand what was going on. In my mind I had just broken up with someone and I was seriously afraid. You were one of the nicest guys I ever knew. I wanted so bad to go to the prom with you but at the last moment I chickened out. It was not because I did not like you, it was only because I was to afraid to step away from my stupid pride and give you a chance. You never stopped calling me or visiting me, even when you were leaving to go into the service you came to visit me to let me know you were leaving. I should have said something then but froze like an idiot. I do not remember who told me about your death but I had a very hard time with it. In fact I lost my best friend in Vietnam the year before you. I even visit your grave from time to time. When I come home this year for Thanksgiving I want to visit it and put some flowers down. Life is funny - I think about you all the time and in some way I feel sort of responsible. If I could turn back time I would have said and done things a lot different. Please do not think that I did not see you, I did, please do not think that I did not hear you, I did. I just did not trust myself. The thing is I know real feelings now but at 17 you just do not know, or at least I didn't. It was not until many years later that I understood what you were trying to say to me. You once told me that it was not my looks or any of that, you saw my heart. And I want you to know I saw yours too. I just could not stand the loss and hurt from someone again. And yet I lost you anyway. I think of the things you missed or maybe you and I missed together. I grieve for your family because I have children ... recently my son was shot in the line of duty and I almost lost him - I was so afraid. Life is really strange. I hope that I will see you again on the other side and I can say to you how much you meant to me and how much I miss you. One thing I know - you would be proud of me I have done a lot of positive things with my life. I am sure you would have too. Why I wrote this is because while writing a note on the Wall for my best friend I decided to look on the Wall for you. I thought I would be right to tell you that I am sorry for doubting you and for doubting us. I know that you forgave me ... that was the type of person that you were. I also know that you look down from above and have been one of the many in my corner cheering for me all the way. I pray for you and your family even though I never got to meet them. You always invited me to meet your family. Eric, maybe in my heart I knew I was going to lose you so that is why I was so afraid. I never thought I would lose you to another girl but I had lost so many people in my life, my dad, other family members, friends - I just was going through a hard time. There is a song that Nickleback wrote called "I Miss You". When ever I hear that song I think of you and well you know the rest, don't you? Sleep in Peace, Eric, and I hope to see you again someday, hold a place in Heaven for me. Love You Always, Dee Dee From a friend, Dr. Donia Gonzales Copeland P O Box 371, Delaware City, De 19706 renewalof48@yahoo.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall In the first week of 1968 the 196th Infantry Brigade sent elements of three infantry battalions into the Hiep Duc Valley in Quang Tin Province - 2/1st Infantry, 3/21st Infantry, 4/31st Infantry. By 04 Jan the units were having increased contact with VC and NVA forces. On the morning of 05 January, Corporal Eric Fassitt's unit, Charlie Company, 2/1st Infantry, made contact with a larger and very aggressive North Vietnamese Army force. In a day-long fight, the outnumbered Americans managed to avoid being surrounded and at nightfall were able to establish a reasonable defensive position on more favorable terrain. Shortly after midnight on 05/06 January the NVA attacked the Charlie 2/1 position but were unable to over-run it. By dawn the NVA were withdrawing into the hills and US reinforcements were relieving Charlie 2/1. Seventeen Americans were killed in the engagement: 05 January: 1LT Robert R. Lewis, Pierre, SD PSGT Alvin S. Johnson, Hampton, VA SGT Albert M. Carwithen, Charleston, WV PFC Norman E. Colosanti, Portland, ME PFC Guillermo De Leon, Uvalde, TX PFC Florian H. Kuss, Strasburg, ND PFC Lafon W. Ladson, Jacksonville, FL PFC Gary W. Runk, Gettysburg, PA 06 January: 2LT Steven C. Drake, Kirkwood, MO (Dist Svc Cross) 2LT Gerald W. Norton, Dallas, TX SSG William E. Bernard, Columbus, GA SGT Harold Smith, New Paris, PA CPL Eric R. Fassitt, Dorchester, MA SP4 Jerry W. Gilliand, Marion, NC CPL Leland Stewart, Monrovia, CA PFC Edward J. Drew, Des Moines, IA PFC Jordan E. Ramey, Columbia, SC

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