“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers

For he today that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother…”

- henry v, William shakespeare

We are blessed this day as we have the honor and the privilege to stand together among the spirits of those with whom we share a certain brotherhood. We gather here to honor their memory, to commemorate their service and their sacrifice with a simple salute. We are here also to reaffirm our promise to never forget them and the price of freedom. As a former foe once said, “Không có gì quí hơn độc lập tự do”

“The wall is the memorial to those that lost their lives. Its long shadow

is a reminder of the Living Casualties.”

years ago, when we signed up and swore our oath, each of us wrote a blank check payable up to and including our life. A terrible number of those checks were cashed. As we stand before these cold, somber panels that hold forever the names of too many, we honor all of our fallen brothers and sisters. They gave all of their tomorrows so that we could have our todays.

We come here today to again pay our respects to some of the finest men of the United States of America. In doing so we preserve the memories of the men who lost their lives in service to their country while on airborne SIGINT missions over Southeast Asia, the men who were the crew of Baron 52, the EC-47 lost in the early hours of 5 February 1973 and the crew of Vanguard 216, a JU-21, lost over South Vietnam near the DMZ in the early morning hours of 4 March 1971.

“no greater sacrifice can be made for one’s country.”

“poor is the nation that has no heroes. Beggared is the one that has and forgets them.”

With honor and respect, in tribute we reflect. We recall memories of young hearts beating with determination and a carefree camaraderie that few might understand – brave young men who were characterized by extraordinary courage and devotion to duty, men who were bonded forever through mission and purpose.

“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been and there you will always long to return.”

“Alone, Unarmed, and Unafraid” the crew of Baron 52 were taken from us while on a mission over Laos just a few days after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords. A few years earlier, Vanguard 216 was shot down by a surface to air missile, an SA-2. In these tumultuous and uncertain times, we who survived our experiences “over there” know the legacy of these crews and we share the grief of family.

Please observe a few moments of silence as i read the names of

The Crew of Vanguard 216 (PANEL 04W Lines 20-22)

Captain Michael W. Marker

WO1 Harold L. Algaard

SP6 John T. Strawn

SP5 Richard J. Hentz

SP5 Rodney D. Osborne

Please remain silent as i read the names of

The Crew of Baron 52 (PANEL 01W Lines 114-116)

Captain George R. Spitz

Captain Arthur R. Bollinger

1LT Robert E. Bernhardt

2LT Severo V. Primm III

SSgt Todd M. Melton

Sgt Dale Brandenburg

Sgt Peter R. Cressman

Sgt Joseph A. Matejov

“ ‘Tis a time of endless endings that surely shall end one day

At the ending of the new beginnings, At the end of life’s long fray”

–lucius annaeus seneca

In our communion we remember our fallen brothers and we reflect on those days gone by. In their honor we must not forget. We should always be conscious of the long line of patriots that continue to serve and sacrifice today. Please keep our brave young men and women in uniform in your thoughts and prayers.

“dabit deus his quoque finem” (to these things god will grant an end) – Aeneas to his crew, Virgil’s Aeneid

Welcome Home and thank you for your service.

May the wind under your wings bear you where the sun sails

and the moon walks

--Thomas L. Penn, 1 May 2010