Shadow box

I had met Captain Hamrick and well remember the day he died. He was a good officer and a good pilot.
Jack McCabe

Robert Chaison
Fellow Cav Trooper 1/10 Cav
Jim, You will always be forever young
Jim, You were the life of the party and a great pilot. Ole Fred Timberlake used to drive you nuts though. We Shamrock Troopers were some of best folks I have ever known. I think of you and our departed Troopers often and look forward to the 'Air Show' in the sky later. Are you a Turtle man? Rest in Peace Jim I miss you.
Jul 12, 2010

louis wince
lwince@farmersagent.com
high school and college friend
15701 chapman place montclair va 22025 usa
just a note of times with Jim
Jim,Steve,Don,Ron and I shared many high school joys together.We went to dances together,the drive inn movies and hung out in Lexington Park.The five of us never got into any trouble we just had fun. The first of us to die was Steve in a VW convertible right after H.S. graduation. Jim was bright-we both took the engineering exam at Patuxant and did the interview-Jim was selected in the 5 year program and I was not. They only selected about 6 students per year. I was at St Mary's college when Jim came to tell me he was going to drop out of the program after a year and join the Army as a Warrent Officer flying helicopters-I begged him to not drop out of Pax but his mind was made up-he loved to fly(He had flow at Park Hall airport). I never got to see Jim again-I went to the Un of Md and then to Army OCS at Ft Belvoir VA. When I heard of Jim's death I was at the Pentagon and attended his funeral-no one knew me nor I any of his family. I often think of what it might have been had he not left us so early-for what ever reason we just liked each other and I cannot forget him or his joy for life.
Jul 27, 2009

Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav 68-69
mpjr54@msn.com
Fellow Vietnam Army Vet
F Trp/4th Cav Rgt/12th Avn Grp, 1st Avn Bde

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings, Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth of sun-split clouds and done a hundred things. You have not dreamed of wheeled and soared and swung, high in the sunlit silence, hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung my eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace, where never lark, or even eagle flew, and, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space, put out my hand and touched the face of God. By John G. Magee, Jr.
Mar 11, 2008

manny g
Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe
Union Gap, WA. 98903
“You are Remembered”
Peace and condolence to the family and friends. “He which hath no stomach, to this fight, let him depart. But we in it, shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother.” Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless you, for your Sacrifice!!!
Feb 20, 2007

John Keegan
jjkeegan@cox.net
Flew together, in VN
104, S., Cove Rd., Williamsburg, VA., 23188, USA
Jim was, a great guy. We actually were, one class apart, in flight school. We flew together, during his first tour, with D, Trp., 1/10th, Cav., as warrant officers. Have some, great memories, of my first 3, months, in country, when Jim and I, as well as most of the troops, were living in tents at Ban Me Thout, East. Some real nasty, flying around the SF., camp, at Duc Lap. Jim flew, for the lift platoon and I was, the maintenance officer. I lived, in the same tent with him, flew some missions with him, partied with him. Never knew, you could mix bourbon, with orange soda, YUK. Young and wild, Jim and I were both stationed, at Ft. Eustis, VA., after that tour. I had taken, a commission and was commanding, a Railway, Maintenance Co. and Jim was assigned, to the observation branch, of the TC., school. I ‘am not sure, but I think, I talked him into accepting a commission, as an infantry LT.. That got him a second tour, I believe, after attending, the Army, Safety course, at USC.. I also left Eustis, but my tour was, in Thailand, with frequent trips, into VN. (flying helicopters and fixed wing) Next Thing, I heard was, of Jim's death. Fondest memories, with Jim, was the 2, of us, feeding my puppy, beer, in that tent. The dog would drink, until we either, took the beer away, or she got, to light on her feet. I actually kept, that dog, until I left, VN. and she stayed, with a friend. Jim got married, to a lovely lady, while at Eustis, who had a daughter. (I believe) Last contact was, at a Halloween party in Newport News, VA. (late 1970) and he was on orders, as was I. He is missed, by all the "Shamrocks" and looking over, all of us. Anyone, having contact with Jim's widow, please contact me, or anyone, wanting to talk about him. A great guy, who taught me a lot, about flying.
Sunday, December 26, 1999

Jim Nastelli
nasty@tampabay.rr.com
High school buddy
14215 Linden Drive
Spring Hill, FL 34609 USA
One good guy.
Jim and I were buddy's in high school. He and his parents took me in like family. I remember helping him and his Dad hang tobacco in the barn to dry. I remember me and him messing with his Dad's old tractor. It had a HUGE flywheel you had to spin then engage to motor. He was spinning the flywheel and it kicked him halfway across the field. I nearly fell off the tractor laughing. We were playing king of the hill one day on a big old hay pile. He tackle me on top of the damn thing and we went over the edge. Must of been 15 feet to the ground. I landed square on my butt with him still holding my legs. When I sat back I bumped against the front wheel of the tractor. We were that close to serious injury. I watched his Dad's Arabian Stallion drag him around the pen by one foot that was stuck in the stirrup. THAT almost killed him. But it did not stop him. Jesus I miss him.
Thursday, July 11, 2002

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.

Mary Frye – 1932

Jim was a fun and happy guy. I never heard anything but good said about him and I never heard him say anything except upbeat and happy thoughts. He was a great pilot. He was in the lift platoon and flew more than his share of combat missions. Jim stopped by in his new Rambler on his way to report in for his second tour. After his death, his new wife came to walters to visit. I remember at the Officer's club, a foreign officer asking me if he could come to my home to visit with her. I was outraged and let him know in no uncertain terms. She was a new wife and it seemed she recovered from his loss quicker than I did. I liked Hamrick (as we called him) and missed him. I believe he is still here in spirit. I liked Jim alot and miss him.

As one of the 1046 Marylanders who made the ultimate sacrifice we are honored to post your photograph. Operation Remember will continue until we have recovered the photos of all our fallen brothers from the State of Maryland.

Visit www.vva451.org and click on the Operation Remember banner for more details about this project of remembrance.

Jim Gerity
Chairperson
Operation Remember
Vietnam Veterans of America
Baltimore, Chapter 451
www.vva451.org

Hamrick, James Madison, Jr., CPT