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Dear Rich,
I have loved you and missed you all these many years... I had hoped that the years would dull the pain but today I visited the "Moving Wall" and it all came rushing back.
You took over my squad when I was promoted to Platoon Sgt. I had tried to bring you with me as one of my squad leaders... The CO said no he could not take both of us out of the First Platoon... I still remember that day up on LZ Stinson, we were moving out on a new operation. Me with my new Platoon and you as the Squad Leader of my old Squad. It was such a beautiful day, it had rained earlier so the air felt fresh and clean, the sky was a bright blue and white clouds hurried by driven by the breeze.
The choppers came and took you to your LZ. We waited for their return... We tried to monitor the radio to hear what was happening... time went by but the "Birds" didn't come back for us.
At first we figured that they only were delayed because they needed to refuel... but still they didn't come.
Slowly the news began to trickle in, First Platoon and you had hit a "daisy-chain" booby trap in the LZ. The new medic had set it off when he entered a hedge row. The choppers were still in the LZ and were damaged and the bulk of first Platoon was caught in the "kill zone". You died in my place and I have never forgotten.
Sgt Michael Maier,
Charlie Co. 1/52Inf, 198 LIB, AmericalI hope I have lived a life worthy of your sacrifice
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