27 Jun 2004 Bob and Family, Thank you for your unselfish service to the people of the United States. Your friendship will not be forgotten and you will always be remembered as much more than a faceless name on a Wall. Your family can be proud of your service and know that there are people out there that still think of you. May God be with you and your family. From a friend, Michael J. Mahoney dmmm1604@aol.com

 

06 Nov 2006 I write this poem in memory of Robert F. McDonald II. He is my brother-in-law that I have never met. To all the families with someone's name on the Wall, I hope that this will not offend any one person. I write this with pride in our soldiers and want to say thanks to those who came home and thanks to the families of those who lost someone dear to them. Thank you all for you strength, courage, and giving of yourselves for your country. From his sister-in-law, Penny B. McDonald pennmcdon@msn.com Our Brave Soldiers There are men and women who train      to defend their country and fellow people. They carry food, clothes, and supplies on their backs. They march over hills and through valleys,      sometimes through open fields. At times they crawl on their stomachs      in the sand or through the mud. They take orders issued to them with pride and determination. Sometimes the orders will be hard to follow due to the nature. But knowing what may come, the soldier      carries them through so freedom may come. At times, it comes to pass, that they some day,      will have to leave their home. Behind they may leave a mother, father,      wife, husband, sister, or brother. The leaving of family will be heartfelt and hard to do,      but with perserverance, the soldier must move on. The family stands together to say their good-byes      with hugs and kisses and tears in their eyes. Words of love and wisdom and hope are spoken softly to each other. Finally, time has come to board the ship, plane or train. With the commander's voice, with emotions running high,      the soldiers say their loving good-byes. Traveling to the battle ahead,      the soldier sat thinking of what lays ahead. Memories of home drifting through their heads,      the soldiers sat with a lonely heart. Their destination fially reached,      emotions of all kinds they felt true and deep. With dignity and pride, the soldier waited      for what jobs they were assigned. The soldiers carry through the orders they were given,      did the things they had to do. Sometimes, what was asked of them in many ways was hard to do,      but with the memories and why they were there, made it easier to do. In these times, the battle is running hot and wild,      the soldiers fight side by side. Some will come home and some will die, but still      the soldiers fight, struggle, and strive to stay alive. The sights they will see will become the one thing      that will carry them through it all. Memories of home and family will surround them with pride and faith,      giving them the strength to carry on. The voices of the family at home      bring peace to their weary body and soul. The love that they felt so much, carried in their hearts,      in the bd times, they feel it and know they are not alone. Now their tour of duty is done,      and the time of going home has come. They boarded the ship, plane or train again,      the anticipation of getting home running within them. The memories of what they left behind,      running sweetly through their tired minds. Their trip home is made in silence,      all types of emotions being felt of what lays ahead. The destination is here, the soldiers walk to the roaring crowd,      seeking, searching, wanting their family around. Over the crowd, the soldiers and their family's eyes did meet,      the tears of love and joy they did free. Our brave soldiers have come home,      Thank you God, for you, have brought them home safe and free. Let us not forget those who gave their life for you and me. They stood and fought,      gave their heart and soul for one and all. They are not here in body,      but are carried in our minds, heart and soul. They gave to us their strength, courage, but most of all,      their love and life to protect this country and all mankind. Our Brave Soldiers, the ones that are gone, will be carried in our hearts      to be remembered always as our lives go on.

 

20 Nov 2006 Our Brothers We fight for our freedom We lay our life down for our rights We are written in history by where we fight Some don't know what we fight for Some say we don't need to fight Some welcome us home with open arms Some turn their heads and wonder how we got home Some before us never got anything but their family's smiles and open arms Some were rejoiced for what they did We weep for those who will never come home We weep for those who lost their loved ones forever      till we meet them again in heaven We weep for those that will never have anyone to lay to rest We rejoice for those who will see their loved ones smiling face We rejoice for those who will get to hold their loved ones again We rejoice for those who are willing to lay down their lives to save us, to protect us from those who want to harm us We rejoice for those who wave that flag proudly in their yards      and pray for our men and women that serve us We rejoice those who have left us to see God when they laid in the fields knowing what they have saved We will forever rejoice those who have laid down their lives for us From his niece, Emily McDonald trouble3400@msn.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall Operation MASSACHUSETTS STRIKER, a foray by the 101st Airborne Division into the A Shau Valley, began on 01 Mar 1969, but bad weather impeded the build-up. Since the North Vietnamese Army was present in force, there was ample opportunity for contact. The 1/502nd Infantry pursued an enemy battalion through the valley for several weeks until the NVA took a stand atop the ridgeline at Don A Tay. In a series of hard-fought battles, Alpha and Bravo Companies, 1/502, captured the crest of what was now known as "Bloody Ridge". The fighting on 25 March cost 7 American lives: Alpha Company: SGT Carter L. Graves, Reidsville, NC SP4 Michael L. Malin, Angola, NY CPL Rene C. Mischeaux, San Francisco, CA PFC Robert F. McDonald, Lorton, VA Bravo Company: SGT Willie C. Dozier, Orangeburg, SC SGT Steve Flaherty, Columbia, SC SP4 David F. Black, Pickens, SC Robert F. McDonald is remembered by his classmates from Robert E. Lee High School Springfield, Virginia Class of 1967

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