Posted by Kim Straker on February 12, 2008:

Many years ago I read about the Class of '66 in "The Long Grey Line". The story behind this book was profoundly moving, and although it described America and Americans, I found that it affected me greatly. As a former soldier, and married to a Vietnam Veteran (Royal Australian Engineers VN 68/69) it seemed to speak volumes - and when some years after that I was in New York, I made time to visit the USMA at West Point. I was touched to see that several people had written on the card for Richard Tompson - one of the comments was 'God Bless You Buck". When you live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved you, your memory stays fresh and young. I walked around that beautiful setting, noting the graves of so many of the Class of '66, and it almost felt as if I was saying hullo to old friends. Now another generation of West Point graduates is, sadly, taking a place in that hallowed ground. 2nd Lt Emily Perez, who died in Iraq, is in the company of heroes. May she, and they, rest in peace. Thank you for providing this opportunity to put down my thoughts. Kim Straker (Doha, Qatar/Maleny, Queensland, Australia 2008)

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