Becky Borrell

For Brad

I went late evening when the Wall was illuminated so beautifully in the night, and found them, Harold Markum & Larry Howe, on Panel W50 where Brad told me they were; I touched their names, I honored their sacrifice.

My brother passed away on May 22nd this year from a cancer likely tied to Agent Orange exposure. He served in Vietnam in 1968 and was hit by mortar fire on July 2nd that year, resulting in loss of a leg, but sending him home alive. Just a month later, 2 of the guys in his squad were killed.

When I was going thru his cell phone I found he had saved the online information showing the Wall locations for those 2 squad members. So, when the Wall was here in St. Paul last weekend, I visited to find his buddies; the two 18-yr olds that never got to live another 50 years, as Brad did.

LCpl Bradley J Borrell, 1949-2018

I felt intense sadness that Brad wasn't there that day with me, yet found myself so grateful that at least we had him for that extra 50 years; years that their families never got with these two men. And I was so grateful to be able to witness this tribute & remembrance to them in his place.

Sempfer Fi, Markum, Howe & Borrell; and rest in peace.