Ralph Dennis Salerno

In Honor of Ralph

Ralph and I ran the streets of Garfield and occasionally "borrowed" a car when we got tired. I moved from the area in 64 and entered the Navy in 65. I was in Vinh Long Vietnam serving with the PBR force when Ralph was lost.

"THE FIRST TIME" The feeling that it gave me, as I made that final turn, The power of that granite a force I'd yet to learn. It took fourteen years to get here, It took all my strength to do. But thanks to friends and comrades, I would finally make it through. While I stood in solemn silence, as I talked to friends once known, I could swear I heard them saying, "Hey Brother, WELCOME HOME!" In the darkness of that first time, As my tears began to fall, I felt the pride and power of those names upon THE WALL! written after my first trip to the Wall

Wayne