Posted by George Chester Chao, MS, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Class of 2009 on October 11, 2009:

Dear Sir: Major Arthur Bonifa, Class of 1966: I will always remember you! When I was a teenager, I grew up in Poughkeepsie, NY. I will always remember clearly when I saw the NY Times and the CBS News on television,when you did perform your Duty well in Korea back in late summer 1976. I talked about you with other: US Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force Officers. It was the cherry tree clearing incident, when that ambush occured. I also remembered that you were an Instructor at USMA. I saw your pictures in the Howitzer and the Book:" The Long Gray Line." Back in 1976, it was only about a week, my late Mom and Dad sent me to Carson Long Military Institute, a boys military school in central Pennsylvania in small rural town named: New Bloomfield, PA. This is just like NY Military Academy. I always told Colonel Carson ER Holman, (RET), USMA Class of 1953: the Headmaster of Carson Long,about you and the USMA Class of 1966. Again, you were in the news before I departed Pougheepsie,NY for Carson Long. I am sorry for this tragedy and what was done. I always knew that the DMZ area between North and South Korea is a very hostile area between the soldiers of North Korea and the Republic of South Korea Army Military Police. I also met your classmates. This is at both Carson Long and as a college undergraduate: William S. Otto, MD a former artillery officer and Robert Ramsey, a former Air Force pilot who later became a professor.You and the Class of 1966 USMA class, left a legacy in my life.I guess it can be a small world at times! I appreciate your military service and the sacrifice you gave to the country. and others.I thank-you kindly! You performed your DUTY well, firm in your HONOR, and HONORABLY served your COUNTRY. The Military Concepts of: DUTY-HONOR-COUNTRY all came together. This is indeed! Years ago, when I lived in the Hudson River Valley. I visited West Point often. I made sure that I came to your grave site by the Egbert Viele pyramid as well as visting Major Harry DeMetropolis, USMA 1939, the author of: The Cadet Prayer. Thirty three years went by quickly. However, my memories of you and the Long Gray Line will be unwaivered for the rest of my life.

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