17 May 2001 To My best buddy Ken Heifner, A lot of time has passed since I last saw you. Our plans never quite worked out the way we had intended. I remember you and I trying to figure out when we would see each other again ... back in 68. I was so nervous about being drafted and you assured me that things would work out and time would fly by. After all it was only going to be for two years. You joined the U.S. Marines because you said "if I have to go it might as well be with the best." I couldn't change your mind and neither could anyone else. I sure wish I could have changed your mind. I sure have missed your the last 32 years. I have wondered thousands of times how things might have turned out for you and I if we could have made it through together? Your family and friends have missed you all these years too. It has been a long time since that day I was contacted in Feb 69 that you wouldn't be coming home. I sat in Fort Hood TX wishing I could see you just one more time. Being 2000 miles from home was very tough and when you died, it was even harder for me to deal with. My dad always said that God takes the good folks first and I have always remembered that when I think of you. I remember you often and have the tears to prove it. In closing ole Buddy, I want to thank you for the time we spent together and I cherish all our memories and fun we had growing up together into young men. I will see you again someday my friend. I miss you often, Jack M Kelley Ashland Ohio

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Lima 3/7 Marines lost seven men on 23 Feb 1969: Cpl Raymond A. Cole, Great Falls, MT LCpl Edward D. Merkle, Seneca Falls, NY LCpl George L. Silva, Nice, CA Pfc Kenneth R. Heifner, Ashland, OH Pfc Thomas M. Hiday, Alexandria, IN Pfc John J. Stahl, Floral Park, NY Pfc David E. Thaxton, Waukegan, IL

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