Norman Walter Heck, Jr

The database page for Norman Walter Heck, Jr

06 Dec 2001 I am his youngest son, who apparently met him once on the day of my birth after which he left for Vietnam and died 2 months later. I'd love to hear from anyone who knew him. A poem follows that is my reaction to September 11th (I live and work in NYC) and a general call to trying to live as peacefully as possible, none of the soldiers I've ever met love war, they simply try to make the best of it. J. Gavin Heck gavinheck@yahoo.com HEY - ARE YOU OK? (RULES OF ENGAGEMENT) © Gavin Heck 9/11/01 State of emergency, all smoked out Evacuation of Manhattan is recommended 1. No one throws stones An apartment window was open Concrete, stainless immutable The birds of peace flew in Hiding from the day Ducking the birds of prey Are the subways working? The floor was (and remains) shark infested Jumping from pillow to pillow 2. Be thankful you weren't killed Can you imagine sharks attacking Sleepy commuters Victims with burns and head injuries 3. Get a cleaning lady (person) Did she make it out? Even if all others give up 4. If every single person grabs a stone 5. I must feel alone, stone-less, mutable, dis-armed Feeling, flaming paper coming from the sky For us, we are all in this together Going to go snag some food and water Dove behind my bed (not the bird the action) I dreamt my house was on fire Hope she is far away right now Saw the flames coming out The top of the building start to fall 6. Seek, create, imagine stone-less Utopia Took a cab, crying on the bus made me feel strange I woke up bright eyed and ready to go to work at 8:30 Both towers later collapsed It is not the way for me Like watching a sea wave breaking on the shore 7. Water the subliminal hope (daily upon rising) Just some more folks who hate America Stay where you are Keep your head down Kiss the ground having made it home safe Home, the home of souls (safe) Fight the subliminal hype (or don’t be so surprised when those seeds you planted grow into weeds that break through your concrete) Landing, I seek the pure land Last night the boss asked me to please come in on time We could go to a Goth club and listen to our darkness Dance like robots Like a tornado Like the game I played as a kid Must evacuate 8. Must keep believing My friend thinks WW3 is starting Or perhaps just hopelessness 9. Let's embrace hopelessness (then breathe and release it) Paper covers rock 200 years old but have made so many enemies She was OK but her building is only 3 blocks away Since I was old enough to know that my father died for this country Wished that someone would come and erase it It will be a nice day other than the terrorism 10. The attachment is absolute (breathe and release it) The beginning of the end Life as we know it is over The building exploded in my face A big balloon of smoke News people just advised to leave Manhattan Then came down for a cigarette and saw the second hit I fell back asleep... They are closing everything The Brooklyn bridge is open, thousands of people are walking it Walt Whitman would be happy Thing about terrorism is that really We are all walking on pillows on the floor (floor equals water, spaces equal sharks) We are the sharks and the water and the fear We don't live in the state where understanding covers action (paper covers rock) Compassion can also thrive on the rockiest soil (You ok?) The Monroe County (Michigan) Vietnam Veterans Memorial is located at Captain Norman (Rusty) W. Heck Park. You can take a "virtual tour" of the Memorial or read a description of how the Memorial came to be built . Heck Park Vietnam Veterans Museum The Museum of Monroe County Vietnam Veterans shall collect, preserve, display, and interpret materials reflecting the role of Monroe County citizens who served within the Armed forces of the United States during the years of engagement, and in the theatre of operations, commonly called the Vietnam War. The purpose of this effort will be to educate the general public regarding the experiences of Monroe County Veterans of this conflict and to provide a place for contemplation and remembrance. The museum is supported and operated by the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Historical Society, in cooperation with the County of Monroe and the Monroe County Historical Commission. The museum is located at Heck Park on N. Dixie Hwy, Frenchtown Township. From the Monroe County Museum site Telephone 1-734-240-7250

20 Jun 2004 They Died So That We May Live (For Norman W. Heck, Jr., fallen comrade-at-arms, and J. Gavin Heck, his son) Under the watchful eye of an eagle, Protected by Huey and Cobra Gunships, And by the brave spirits of brave men, The park is not entirely a playground; Although the spirits there allow play - Especially of children that many never had - Especially of children because their own passings Came not so very long after many of their own childhoods. The names inscribed remind us of men, But they also stand for their spirits Who continue to bless us with their presence; And that is why this memorial and many others Are so beautiful and bring a tear to the eye; And that is proof, that if it had to be, Each of them would willingly die For devotion to their country. - ALLAN L. SHEMKE - Copyright June 20, 2004 From a second cousin, Ann Reinhardt Cantu annrcantu@yahoo.com

A Note from The Virtual Wall On 08 Dec 1964, four American advisors attached to the 2nd Battalion, 33rd ARVN Regiment, were killed in action: CPT Norman W. Heck, Monroe, MI 1LT James G. Dunton, Melrose, MA SFC Guy T. Freeland, Russellville, AR SP5 William R. Hamlin, Seattle, WA

The point-of-contact for this memorial is his youngest son, James Gavin Heck gavinheck@yahoo.com  6 Dec 2001

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Last updated 12/13/2004