09 Mar 2006 I have had the honor of adopting Luis Holguin through Operation Just Cause. Words can never express the heartfelt appreciation I have for the men and women who have given all to protect this country's freedom, and mine. You'll never be forgotten. Trish Edwards cherokeeroses71@hotmail.com Still Patrolling the Perimeter by Gary Jacobson Ghostly soldiers march by one-by-one Husband, father, brother, son Hup ... hup ... hup ... go passing men guarding the Wall Still patrolling the perimeter after these years all. These men who fear no death Possess the Wall in spirit and breath Protecting spirits hover ever near Patrol in timeless bravery here... The air hangs silently ... but for trampling feet Watching mothers bawling tears bittersweet Others at the memorial bow their head Give hallowed honor to these marching dead. A young girl heartbreakingly cried I wish my father hadn't died I loved him so Why didn't he wait till older I grow? Remember them ... the liberty they wrought Freedoms with sacred sacrifice they bought. Salute these heroes marching strong and brave Honoring lives their father's gave. Nearby veterans come to attention Tears in their eyes in solemn admiration Respectfully in memorial shed rivers of tears At the heart of a nation their memory sears. They fought for you ... they fought for me Their spirit is what kept America free With love of country they boldly avow Nam's sweat and blood upon their mighty brow. See them file by, young as yesterday Still looking for enemies in this wild fray Visions of honor and duty swirling in their head To this land of the free, they've led. As they pass by, they look back now and then On a world they gave their lives for, way back when. Have we made progress on peace they fought for For which they gave their lives for ... in awful war? What have we learned In many years pages one-by-one turned Since we put those men on that Wall...? Have we learned anything ... anything at all? Gary Jacobson ï¿ 1/2 November 2005

 

10 Nov 2006 I didn't know CWO Luis G. Holguin but in 1972 when I returned home after my 3rd tour, I was fortunate to acquire a POW-MIA bracelet with his name on it. I still have it but only wear it (it's getting pretty thin) on special occasions like Veterans' and Memorial Days. He is not forgotten and I often wonder about his wherabouts. I too believe that some of our brothers were still alive and not returned to us after the war. Jimmie Gonzalez Jr. Sergeant Major (Ret) sgmgonzalez@gmail.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall At about 0900 03 Jan 1971 a U-6A BEAVER (serial #52-25884) departed Qui Nhon on an administrative support flight to Ban Me Thuot, South Vietnam, carrying crewmen from the 61st AHC to collect replacement helicopters for the company. The helicopter crewmen would then fly the helicopters back to Qui Nhon. At 1120 hours, with the U-6 about 14 miles southeast of Phu Cat, radio and radar contact with the plane was lost. Because the pilot, Captain F. A. Rhodes, had announced plans to remain overnight at Ban Me Thuot, no immediate search was made. When search efforts were begun on 5 January, no trace of the aircraft or its seven occupants could be found. Formal search efforts ended on 9 January 1971. Seven men were aboard the U-6: MAJ Ferris A. Rhodes, Greenwood, SC, pilot, HHC, 223rd Avn Bn (08/14/1978) 61st AHC crewmen (passengers) CPT Michael D. Parsons, Reno, NV (04/03/1975) CWO Luis G. Holguin, Oxnard, CA (10/30/1978) CWO Thomas R. Okerlund, Seattle, WA (11/06/1978) CWO Dennis W. O'Melia, Smithfield, NC (08/22/1978) SP6 Patrick J. Magee, Alder, MT (04/07/1976) SP6 Carl A. Palen, Dubuque, IA (08/22/1978) All seven men were placed in MIA status. As time progressed, the Secretary of the Army approved Presumptive Findings of Death for them (on the dates in parentheses) and their status was changed to "Died while Missing". Their remains have not been repatriated.

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