Memorial Day Slight

To the Editor:

I had the distinct honor of delivering the keynote address at the Memorial Day services at Calvary Cemetery on Monday. After the ceremony, I was approached by two men who were visibly upset that I had overlooked mentioning their brother who was from Douglas and also killed in Vietnam. Needless to say, I was equally upset and concerned about my oversight. After the services, I went to the memorial in front of the police station and there are thirteen servicemen listed, not nine as I had thought. I was determined to find the reason for the discrepancy.

When I again accessed the Virtual Wall I discovered the reason the individuals were not listed. The names are listed by the service members military home of record. Robert Lee Andrews, Jr. (Phoenix), Antonio Olivarez Ortiz (Pirtleville), Ray Alva Terrell (Elfrida) and Richard Ramirez, Jr. (McNeal). The sacrifice made by these individuals and their families was not intended to be diminished in any way and I extend my sincere and heartfelt apology for any distress I may have caused.

Brian Bickel, MAJ, (Ret.)

United States Army Reserve