William Luther Stevenson

The database page for William Luther Stevenson

Luther was a neighbor, childhood friend, we worked in tobacco patches together and attended high school together. I'm also a fellow Vietnam vet. David E. Underhill davide2@kih.net I Came To The Vietnam Wall Hello Wall, I've come to visit. I traveled hundreds of miles To see how I would feel inside. I come cold, hard, and unfeeling Just as war made me. I come to look upon your cold, Black face. To see the names of 58,000 Young men, All comrades of mine. I see the rice paddies and the jungles. I remember the battles of Khe Sanh And Hamburger Hill. I hear the screams of Pain & Agony As a comrade falls, His legs torn off by a shell. I hear the whirl of a helicopter, The screams for Medic over here. I smell the stench of death And destruction, As though I were there again. Not to mention the look On a young Vietnamese Child As its family is blown to Hell. Will your thirst never be quenched? If so, then why? Lebanon, El Salvador, Desert Storm, and all the others. And even as I stand here (My image reflecting in your face), You tear my heart and soul from me. By David E. Underhill Copyright© TXV680503 3-6-95 All Rights Reserved The Vietnam Wall Hello! Yes, I am The Wall. You have heard of me I am sure, You may have even contributed to my being. I was built through contributions from our veterans, From all across The Great United States, To honor those who served and died in Vietnam. Did you know I am 500 feet long, Reflecting the longest war in our nation's history? I have 140 separate panels, each for a particular time In the history of that tragic war. I am 10 feet tall at my tallest point, Just as our fine young men felt tall as they answered Our nation's call. Less than a foot at my lowest, Reflecting the feeling of our nation For sending them. I am made of Black Granite, Black for the dark pages of history I reveal. Granite for the strength and courage of 3,300,000 servicemen Who answered their country's call. And yes, part of me is buried Just as over 58,000 Young men are whose names appear on my face. Yes, I stand here Tall, Dark, and Majestic. But I stand not alone. I am visited each day by tens, hundreds, yes, even thousands, Who in some way are touched by my cause. Families stand before me, with thoughts of that special one they loved. Some bring tokens of rememberance, others flowers and letters, While still others bow their heads in prayer. But whatever their reaction, they all seem to have one thing in common. They ask, "Why, Wall?" I try to assure them, that perhaps it was not in vain. That perhaps there was a reason, not yet revealed. But that if for no other, then I am here As a reminder, Not to let it happen again. By David E. Underhill Copyright© TX3270302 3-9-92 All Rights Reserved

A Note from The Virtual Wall Private First Class Stevenson was one of thirteen men from Alpha 1/9 Marines who died that day: 2ndLt Stephen P. Muller, Indianapolis, IN Sgt General F. James, Newport News, VA Cpl Alan L. Diedricksen, Darien, CT LCpl Dee R. Jarvis, Pleasant Grove, UT LCpl Charles E. Johnson, Newark, NJ LCpl Thomas W. McMahon, Kansas City, MO LCpl Jack R. Rush, Algoma, WI PFC Medford A. Chrysler, Pacifica, CA PFC George Coutrakis, Ripon, CA PFC Paul G. Forbes, San Diego, CA PFC Warren H. Grant, Oakland, CA PFC William L. Stevenson, Leitchfield, KY PFC Bruce A. Yoder, Kokomo, IN

The point-of-contact for this memorial is a buddy, David Underhill davide2@kih.net  04 Jun 2000

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With all respect
Jim Schueckler, former CW2, US Army
Ken Davis, Commander, United States Navy (Ret)
Channing Prothro, former CAP Marine
Last updated 12/05/2003