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I never got to know you, never got a hug or a kiss, never got a pat on the back or a scolding when needed. You were gone before I would even know your name. Even though I never got any of those things you left me one of the greatest gifts ever... my freedom. I can't complain, what child was more loved than me.

If anyone remembers Richard please let me know. His helicopter crashed in Lam Dong, South Vietnam. All I know is that he and the pilot were the only two that perished from that crash.

John Kotora and I served together in Company C 1/22 Infantry, 4th Infantry division.

When John was shot, he had to walk a fairly long distance to reach the LZ where he was dusted off. He made that walk with very little diffuculty and I spoke to him just before the helicopter arrived. He seemed strong and alert. I had no doubt that John was going to be okay. He was a strong guy and had a real positive attitude and looked like he would be alright. Later, I found out he did not survive.

I give thanks for the short time we shared together. I remember you as the good soldier and great person that you were. I remember your sense of humor and your laugh and smile. I won't forget you.

In loving memory and honor of my brother, Patrick Edward Smith Jr. who was the recipient of the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Hearts, Combat Infantry Medal, Air Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service Medal, RVN Military Merit, RVN Gallantry Cross, RVN Campaign Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Pat earned the Silver and Bronze Stars for his deeds the day he was killed. He was on his 25^th air mission, acting squad leader for the 1st Cavalry Division, 5^th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Airmobile. During the mission in Quan An Loc Province, Pat and his men ran into heavy fire. He and several others were seriously wounded. None of us were surprised to hear that Pat, despite his wounds and being amidst intense hostile fire, ignored his wounds in order to get other men to safety. Only after they were safe and out of the line of fire did he permit himself to be evacuated by a helicopter that moments later took enemy fire, then crashed and burned.

Pat's deeds that day were so in character for him - he was always such a loving and caring person. Our love and pride for him is beyond description. We hope and pray that the men he dragged to safety that day came home and are leading full productive happy lives today. Our family would love to hear from anyone who knew Pat, especially any of the men he saved that awful day, November 26, 1968.

Pat - who we called our "Smiling Irishman", loved to race his 1964 Chevy Supersport at Norwalk and Lorain County Speedway. He was very successful with over 50 class wins and won several trophies as well. He was an ironworker like our Dad and was also attending Lorain Community College before he was called to service.

"Fallen Angels"

Minds, torn with fears on this firing night the warm flowing tears is a mixture of all the fright  Angels who fell fighting for our right some live to tell on why we're here tonight  Risking their own hearts, to keep ours beating, giving us new starts, and their stories repeating  To get wounded, you won a medal to be killed, you lost a heart to think this could all settle if our friends and foes didn't part  Buried with pride and a landmark to all although you may have died you didnt even fall.Desiree Allison Orosz

dedicated to my Uncle Pat - who I never got to meet - but still love very much

"The Visit"

I went to visit you today.

You arent very far away.

The evening was warm as the sun went down.

And signs of a soft twilight were all around.

As I lingered to talk about the day. I mentioned our loved ones not far away.

I spoke of our love and undying devotion.

The words spilled out, filled with emotion.

The expressions were pouring from my heart, from my Soul

of which you are a part.

Words which I wanted you to hear.

Words spoken to a loved one so dear.

Then as the sunlight faded from the sky, brushed the

teardrops from my eyes.

I lit a candle to light the night.

And my arms ached to hold you tight.

I left a rose in a vase for you, and knelt to kiss your picture too.

I touched your name etched on marble stone.

Then walked home slowly, all alone.

JoRhetta Hyatt 15 July, 2002

"A Soldiers Dream"

Great Jesus, I saw him walk

And he took me by the hand

He taught me how to talk

In this new native land

He told me I was a hero

And this I could not believe

"I was just a soldier though"

"My son you must deceive"

I fought for my right

And to protect our human kind

And what I did was fight

To hunt, destroy, and find

I closed those hating eyes forever

With my own bare hands at that

I killed, if not surrender

No sympathy for the life, which sat

"You fought with a true heart,

" The angels, with God, did cry

"Its time for a new start,

As an angel, who will gracefully fly"

Then I saw before me

The eyes which shed these tears

I really began to see

I helped somebodys fears

For me, these angels wept

And this I could not bare

I just could not accept

A hero standing there

I looked into the mirror

A fallen angel is what I could see

Then I began to hear

The true soldier, that stood inside of me

11-2-01 Written by Desiree Allison Orosz

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Update from first posting on this page....

We are pleased to tell you -Roxi has found not only people that knew her dad - she found family! With her permission, is her response below. God bless!

Oh of course you can put in what is happening now on the page... It is so exciting and I want to be able to share my story.. to give others hope. Because you know that I am not the only one out there, and with the current conflicts there are going to be future children that will run into what I have...I want the hope out there for all to see.

I first posted a message 6 years ago on the-wallusa.com... and then last year you scanned his photo and posted a message, and about a year ago also you did the lost and found page. I looked every day at first and then I started looking less and less. But I still had hope... It just takes time I kept telling myself. I have been searching for info, I have found a lot of things and I even posted a message on Military.com. I would go into bursts, I would hit everything hard and often, and then I would back off and wait, then I would start up again. 2 years ago I was at the Elyria Apple Festival, a friday afternoon tradition I started with my current man. I would meet him for lunch and take a 1/2 day vacation and we would wander around together while he was working patrol. I walked past the lorain county 98 booth. I always gave a donation to any Vietnam fund, I picked up a brocure, I talked with a very nice gentleman. I got your e-mail address from the website. I asked you for help. I was so scared to send my only picture to be scanned, but I felt comfortable with you and I sent it. You scanned it for me and put it on the lost and found page. I was lost and now 2 years later, because of a silly 'girl' tradition I started with my boyfriend, I found family that I wasn't all to sure existed. I am now going to be able to learn about that 'other' side to me. The one that was missing. All because of a wonderful person like you! Someone to take time and help someone she never met, to have compassion and an understanding of what I feel. Someone to care enough to try. Thank you from the bottom of my heart! My father will be honored in the way he deserves.

I'd have to say Thank You to all of those boys/men that gave their lives, either entirely or just for a tour of duty, for us to have our freedom, even those who didn't believe.

Use whatever you want to create the page.. it is working! It is so AWESOME :) Roxi