20 Jul 2003 Peter Earl Powell and I grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas, and were close friends since the 8th grade. "The Earl" and I graduated from Wichita Falls Senior High School in 1961. In high school he was a talented athlete, winning the district championship in the mile run three consecutive years and setting the district record for the fastest time in the mile run. He went to Oklahoma Baptist University, where he continued his athletic endeavors in track with much success. He is missed by those of us who were his friends. A memorial initiated by a friend, Leonard "Butch" Winstead 6101 Toll Bridge Road, Belton, Texas 76513 E-mail address is not available.

 

14 Sep 2004 Earl, also known to his track teammates in college as "Road Runner", was my husband. We married in September 1964. In July 1990 I visited the Vietnam War Memorial for the first time, and it was an experience that helped me find peace after 22 years. Earl's presence in my life forever changed me, as did his death. I wrote the following poem after seeing his name and my reflection on the memorial wall. I recently found The Virtual Wall and learned that I could leave a memorial tribute. Reflections I see your name there among the thousands of others who died. See my reflection. Each name there tells of a man who was a boy whose mother carried him in her womb, and then gave him up to war and death. The reflection you see is that part of me and everywoman who loved a man who died in war. You fought a short fight and died, like a shooting star that enters the atmosphere, gives up all of its energy, and is no more. My reflection is everywoman who lives on and tries to make sense of a world where men go to war and die. Part of me will always be a reflection of you and your death. Part of me will always be a part of the Wall, and I will be a reflection of everywoman who buried someone she loves. You believed in what you did. You believed you fought for freedom. I miss the freedom of my soul when I looked into your eyes. I miss your presence in my life, even though I said goodbye so long ago. I miss my reflection in the mirror of your life. The reflection is the part of me that died when you did, and lives forever in the wall. Written 7-24-1990 by Joy Powell O'Neal From his wife, Joy Powell O'Neal 12504 Echo Cove, Buda, Texas 78610 E-mail address is not available.

 

25 Feb 2007 I met Earl at Oklahoma Baptist University. The "Road Runner" was quite a guy. Since I learned of his death several years ago there have been many occasions when I have thought of Earl and what his friendship meant to me. We lost several young men from OBU. All were men of quality. None finer than Peter Earl Powell. I appreciate the sacrifice you made. You gave all........ From a college friend, Eddie "Topper" Hurt 23 May 2007 It has been many years since Earl and I were students at Oklahoma Baptist University. Earl provoded us with many laughs. What a personality. What a person. What a friend. Earl, I think of you often. I can still see you running around the track. Thank you Earl for your service and sacrifice. I will not forget you. "Topper" From a college friend, Eddie "Topper" Hurt soonered3rd@charter.net

 

Visit John Dennison's Medics on the Wall memorial which honors the Army Medics and Navy Corpsmen who died in Vietnam.

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