Thread: August 12th 1968

38 years ago, I had to identify the bodies of three of my friends who were killed on this day. I pray their families are able to cope with their loss.

Jan, Willie, and Ken... I salute you

...and I still grieve.

Bill,

I can't even begin to imagine what an experience
such as this would be like. I'm sure that this sad
experience has gone a long way in shaping the
man that you are today.

Best Regards,


Terry

I am sorry for your pain. The current foreign adventure must make your memories seem even closer.

Go gently- peace in every step.

Roy

Bill,
Thoughts and prayers are with you bud.
Ed

Bill, no matter what can be said about the war itself, like many other young men, Jan, Willie and Ken fought bravely for their country and paid the ultimate sacrifice. That is just one of the things they should be remembered and respected for and as they were your friends, I am sure they had many other laudable qualities. You have just proven that they are still living in the memories of their friends and families.

My prayers are with you Bill. As much as it hurts to grieve, it is wonderful that their memories live on within you. I hope you find strength and peace in your time of need.

The pain of loss never goes away, you just start getting used to it always being there. My thoughts are with you, Bill. They were your friends for a reason. Remembering that about them is a way to honour them and yourself.

X

Jan, Willie, and Ken,

People like you should be remembered for your sacrifice for a very long time. People like Bill make that possible, because now you're in our minds as well. Rest peacefully in freedom, guys, because that's what you bought us.

My best friend is a Buddhist, and he explained the "warrior" path to me one day... he says the warrior path is the higher path of the "enlightened" soldier. The difference between a soldier and a warrior... a soldier fights for many reasons... because he's told to, because he's seeking the pleasure of the fight, or many other reasons. A warrior, on the other hand, fights only when he has to and never relishes it. Soldiers generally turn into warriors if they last long enough.

The true warrior worships peace because he knows how fragile and precious it truly is.

My condolences to you on this day, Bill. Days like that stay fresh forever, unfortunately. I'll lift a glass tonight in honor of you, your friends, and all the warriors *and* soldiers out there. May we someday find true and lasting peace for us all, and until that day thank God for all those who stand between us and the only partially chained savagery of our fellow man.

-- Gary F.

Thanks for all the good wishes, guys. This time every year I just crawl in a hole and want to die. It's the reason I never celebrate my birthday. It takes about a week for me to begin to function again. I'm certainly not much fun to be around on a normal basis, much less during this time of the year.

My wife is a saint for putting up with it over the past 17 years. I don't see how she does it, to tell you the truth.