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Memorials such as this should be in every city and town across our great nation.  As Vietnam Vets, we know how important it is for our nation, our towns, our family, friends and neighbors to simply recognize what every veteran faces when our nation sends us off to war.  It isn't that we seek applause for ourselves, but respect for the very act of defending our nation when called to do so; because we know how important it is to the very existence to our nation.  We have seen the horror that we seek to prevent all Americans from suffering.  Having lost combat brothers and sisters in the war we fought, we know the hollow feeling in our hearts when our fellow Americans seem to forget what they gave and how it was given.

Just as we faced those emotions then, we face them again as our children return from another American war as men and women who endure what we endured, face what we faced, doubt as we doubted, suffer as we suffered.  And they ask what we asked:  "Do the people of our nation know what they asked of us?  Do they even care?"

And what of those who didn't come home alive?  There isn't one of us who hasn't felt their spirits watching to see what we will do.

And what of the Wives, the Children, the Father's and Mothers, the Sisters and Brothers, Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles, Cousins, Lovers, Friends and Neighbors?  What are they to think if their loved one is simply put on a list in a book no one ever wants to see, or even admit exists?  Are they to do as so many do; engross themselves in selfish pursuit of amassing embarrassing wealth, gaudy possessions and pompous titles as if living such a life removes the pain of reality and forever delays the day of reckoning?  It cannot be done.  The pain does not go away.  Inevitably, everyone must face it and delay only only increases it.

Pain such as this can only be faced in truth.  Only then will the dark icy clouds of doubt that chill the heart be vanished by the warmth of the Holy Light of Truth.  Only then can a beautiful future blossom from the ashes of despair.  Only then can the wrenching pain of the loss of an American Combat Veteran be accepted and put to rest as a life not wasted.

Rest in Peace, Brothers

Seargent Gilbert and his comrades honored in this memorial are part of our LZ Russell Association family.  His dad, Mike Gilbert, is one of us.  That is why LZ Russell Association is asking all of our members to honor this memorial and all the things it stands for by making a donation to our Sgt. Thomas Gilbert Memorial Fund.  Let's do for them, now, what took so many years to do for us.  Let's do it for America.

The Marine Corps Coordinating Council of Grand Rapids, Michigan has undertaken fundraising, design and placement of this monument.  The monument is to be dedicated around Memorial Day, 2008.  So please donate quickly, so they will have the funds in time to accomplish this.

Mission Accomplished!

Way to Go, LZ Members!