Jim Dunlap

Two more names:  Bobby Burciaga and Russell Wells.  If you pull up Bobby's name (try Robert) on

https://www.vvmf.org/Wall-of-Faces

you'll see Bobby in his Rockets football uniform.

Klaus Hille

Went to the Fort Bliss National Cemetery early today. Didn't want to deal with the crowd that I thought would attend the memorial ceremony later in the morning. Besides the emotion I felt when visiting the graves of some of our classmates, I was moved by the solemn stillness of the grounds. 

Some of the classmates mentioned in messages below are on our In Memory page. You can add your comments and memories. If you know of others who should be added, then please let me know. 

N. Ernest Jiron

Richard - I wonder on this day how many of our classmates have visited "The Wall"! It like any other veterans memorial has a profound impact on those who visit them! Some day I hope to visit several of the WW II cemetaries near and around Normandy Beach! I hope many of you got to watch the National Memorial Holiday Concert on PBS yesterday. It was very moving! May they all rest in Peace!!

Richard W. Henderson

A number of years ago, they brought the traveling rendition of "The Wall" to the Veterans Memorial Cemetary in Boulder City. I thought "why not go and see it?" We went, and I saw some names that I knew and went to my knees and cried. I didn't care who saw me, and I don't care who knows now.

My Dad was an enlisted pilot in the Navy in WWII. My Uncle Jim was as homosexual as they get, and he walked from "D" day at  Normandy to Berlin in WWII.. And my Uncle Tom Cline rode with Teddy Roosevelt in Cuba and then he fought in France in WWI.. And the list goes on and on. I've never counted how many of my relatives were in the different wars. It really doesn't matter, we all felt the need to give back to this great country and "do our duty". And like most of the men (and women) veterans, when asked if we would do it again...we willingly reply "in a heart-beat"

God Bless and be safe.

Shirley Kennedy (Adams)

I went to the Vietnam wall on a DC evening tour.  It was a foggy evening and as we were walking around the area came upon the Korean memorial which is statues of soldiers and it really startled me because of the fog and the light shining through that fog.  I had hoped that my dad would have been able to see before he passed, but unfortunately not.  He was also in China during WWII.

Shirley Kennedy (Adams)

John Mills served several terms in Vietnam and I believe he died in later years because of Agent Orange.

John "Kenny"  Hammond also served in Vietnam and died maybe 5 years ago with heart problems.

Joseph R. Mays

Dolores Wheless (Turner)

I too have seen the wall.  I went to a conventioin in DC with work and my heart broke as I watched people climb ladders to put paper and pencil over their loved ones names to take with them.  So many lost.  My husband got out of the serrvice just two months before his whole outfit went to Viertnam.  He has not seen the wall but is sure some of his buddies are on that wall.  It is awesome to see but sad.

Darrell Paulk

Joe, I can't believe your service during the Vietnam war. Thank you for your two years of duty. I can't imagine the bravery, leadership skills and tenacity you exibited during your time in Vietnam. I'm sorry to hear about your injuries, but so glad you came home and lived a very productive life. God Bless you and all the Irvin alumni who served our country!!!!!

Darrell Paulk

Jim Dunlap

Joe, might this be the first time you've opened up about your on-the-ground experience in Vietnam??  Kudos to you for doing so. And more kudos for having been on the ground.  I spent 2 1/2 years in Thailand supporting the "conflict" effort.  I ran a huge "substitute GI" effort providing Thai Security Guards (up to 6500) "substitute GIs" guarding all of our bases, including remote sites all over the country.  But I never heard a shot fired. Went everywhere in Thailand, a bit into Laos and Cambodia, but all in all, never dealt with the "real" war.  I'll be at The Wall in October with my Thailand Laos Cambodia Brotherhood (TLC-B) group. Please email me at dunlapjim@hotmail.com if there are some names you'd like me to pray for as I walk the wall.  To quote Tiny Tim, "God Bless Us, Everyone." 

Jim

PS:  I'll be there Oct 12-15.  Would be great to meet up in person.

Joseph R. Mays

Michael "Mike" Dickson

Dr. Colby McLaurin, beloved son of Gwen McLaurin, has passed away from brain cancer at 44. Colby leaves behind his wife, Emily, and three children: Jireh, 12; Rapha, 11; Nissi, 7. Colby worked at the Veterans Hospital in Oklahoma City as their ENT surgeon. Colby was a devout husband, father, Church member, missionary, and my friend. He was loved by all. 

Jimmie Byron Vaughn

Gwen, Mike's posting of your son's death at such a young age saddens me immensely.  All of us with children cannot imagine the heartbreak and emotions such a thing brings forth. I wish I had the words ......

Jimmie

Bryson McCool

Gwen,

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Mike, and your son's family. Chris and Bryson

Dolores Wheless (Turner)

So sorry to hear of your son's passing.  Prayers for all during this difficult time.

N. Ernest Jiron

Gwen, Mike and family - Condolences on your loss! Can not phantom having to bury one's child........ It is unnatural and not the normal "circle of life"!! You are all in our thoughts and prayers! May he RIP with the Lord!

Klaus Hille

Dear Classmates,

I'm sure that all who read Mike's message felt stunned at Gwen's loss of her son Colby. Some of you have already offered condolences in this forum. Others might prefer to send a sympathy card. If you would like to send a card and need the mailing address for Mike and Gwen, then please contact me by email at kphille@aol.com. Times like this make us all appreciate the compassion, understanding and friendship of classmates.

Wishing all of you peace.

Frank T. James

Gwen We lost my daughter's husband at the same age as your son three years ago They live in Californa but he was in El Paso helping us finish a construction job and staying at my son's house He just said he didn' feel well one night went to sleep and never woke up. The hardest thing in my life was calling my daughter and telling her her husdand and father of her three children was dead. Then I had call his parents and tell them the same thing. Never wish that on anyone. You have my utmost sympathy if I can help in any way let me know

Gwen Dillon (McLaurin)

Thank you for the messages of condolence that many of you shared. Colby was a beloved son, I was always so proud of all he accomplished especially in the ten years after his first cancer surgery..He was loved by his wife children,patients, church and missionary communities. He will be truly missed. Thank you again for you kind words.

Richard W. Henderson

Memories

Shirley Kennedy (Adams)

Sorry about the loss of our children.  No one expects them to go before us.  Our only child, daughter,  died last year.  She died from cancer and had fought it for years starting in the lungs and then went to brain.

We went to the Inn yesterday and where the buffet use to be is now a food court--bar, tacos, Wahlburgers, and  arcade.  Be sure and bring plenty of money, the food isn't cheap.  

Jerry Barrett

JewBoy Burgers is an Austin hamburger and mexican food establishment (don't see that combination very often) that has an interesting story tied to El Paso. Below is the essence. Here is the link to the website

http://jewboyburgers.com/

Why JewBoy?

Mo Pittle, born in Cleveland with ties to Philadelphia and Washington, DC was raised in El Paso, Texas. Not the first place you’d expect to find Jews, but they’re there. Growing up among the Homeboys, he became affectionately known as “El JewBoy.” A few decades later, it now describes the burgers you’re about to consume. A perfect mix of Border and Jewish culture. So open your mind, but more importantly, open your mouth, because if you know Jewish people, or you know Latinos, you know you’re about to feast.

Jim Dunlap

Old Glory - YouTube

Hope this comes thru.  With July 4th in mind, here is an uplifting clip.  Thinking the best for all of our Irvinites.

Dolores Wheless (Turner)

That was amazing thanks for sharing.

Richard W. Henderson

I don't know about anyone else, but that brought tears to my eyes.  Thank you.