When I was 15 years old, I bought the book 'Last Man Out' by James Parker Jr, at a local bookstore. It was the story of Lt. Parker's time in Vietnam and it was a book that I couldn't put down. I had been reading about Vietnam for quite some time - reading the stories of the young men who fought and died there, determined that they wouldn't be forgotten. I had even gone to a local Memorial Day service honoring the Vietnam Veterans of my town. I couldn't tell you why I was so passionate about learning about the men whose names line the Wall, only that I was. As Lt. Parker was describing the NCOs in his platoon near the beginning of the book, a sentence he wrote jumped out at me. He described a teenager named Ayers, an 18 year old private. Being that he was so young, only three years older than most of my boyfriends, he tugged at my heart. And later in the book, when Lt. Parker mentioned how Ayers never got any mail during mail call, I wanted to cry. Speaking of mail call Lt. Parker writes this about Ayers: "Ayers was always in front, but he never seemed to get any mail. Bratcher said that it was painful for him when he had say to Ayers that he got no mail; the big lug always looked so hurt. It wasn't that Ayers didn't write to anyone. Every couple of days he gave the company clerk a painfully addressed letter to someone in the Midwest. As far as we knew, no one ever responded ..." I would have written him. I wanted to yell at whoever it was who he was writing that never wrote him back! A few months later Ayers went on patrol and was killed in an ambush. Lt. Parker said in that he stayed on point until he dropped, and never complained. He was strong as an ox, quiet, responded to praise. I've read many more books about the Vietnam War, and I've heard many more stories, but his story, his memory stays in mind. I've looked in numerous places on the net, but could never find a memorial for him. He can rest in peace knowing however that not everyone has forgotten him, that I will always remember him. If anyone has any additional information on Harold Gene Ayers please feel free contact me at my email address below.

Harold G. Ayers, Private First Class, U. S. Army, is buried in the Seviers Cemetery, 957 Hwy 107, Jonesborough, Tennessee.

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