Shadow box

Freedom & Peace

Posted on 2/6/15 - by Pauline Russin Burnett pmrburnett@aol.com

bittersweet.....today 47 years ago, February 6th 1968, seems like only a few years, my brother Donald John Russin Jr. was killed in Vietnam. bitter, because I was so young and our family dynamics were forever changed. sweet, because 40 years after Donald’s death we were contacted by Jim, the medic that held Donald as he died. Jim, had suffered for years with his memories from Vietnam and wanted my mom to know he was Donald’s friend, he did not die alone and of Donald’s heroics to save his men that day. comfort comes from scripture: "greater love has no one than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." john 15:13 Niv. both my mom and dad had passed by then, this troubled Jim that he had not found us sooner. I assured Jim that mom and dad had already reunited with Donald and all is good. FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

You Came Home With Me During Basic

I remember Pvt. Russin. I liked him. He was a happy guy. I lived near where we went to basic and invited Don and three other soldiers we trained with back to my house for a couple of days in the Spring so that my Mother could make them a good Southern dinner. Don had a new shiny black pair of Wellingtons and he really liked those shoes. I could tell he was the kind of guy who would be a hit with the ladies. He reminded me of James Bond. One of America's finest young men.

Manuel Pino B/2/8th Cav 68-69
mpjr54@msn.com
Fellow Vietnam Army Vet
C Trp/3/4th Cav Rgt, 25th Inf Div

NOW SLEEP Peace has come. Now you can truly sleep,my son. The muddy field where you were laid Flag-draped, will now be green. Redbud and cherry blossoms can be seen Soon in bloom above your head. Arlington's Eternal Flame Flickers across granite rows To illuminate your name And then beneath it (with lightning's calm) Strikes in black the word VIETNAM On your own stone. Peace has come. Your medals may turn green In time, like your beret But forever there are those who'll say, "I live because he cared he came!"

Aug 23, 2007

RAUL REYNA
raulreynaA@yahoo.com
TODAY IS YOUR KIA ANNIVERSARY
IF YOU COULD DO IT ALL OVER
LT. RUSSIN
I wish I could do it over again Maybe this time I would do it right. I wish I could lead my men Maybe this time they wouldn't have to die. I wish I could tell each one how much he meant to me Maybe this time they would believe it coming from me. I wish I could have know then what I realize now Maybe this time it would be different and more would come back alive. I wish I could have been older, wiser and more of a man Maybe this time it would make a difference, maybe a better plan. I wish I could stop time and revisit the sites Maybe this time I would see the danger and miss all that death. I wish I could know that they were all OK Maybe as time goes by, they will forgive me this I pray. I wish I could have stopped the death Maybe this time I could saved each ones life's breath. I wish I could hold on to each and every one Maybe they didn't have to die, for they were all someone's son. I wish I could do it over again Maybe someone can tell me why. I wish I could forget the death Maybe I could forget but their faces haunt me yet I wish they had all come home, sometimes that makes me scream. Maybe that is just a endless dream. I wish I could do it over again Maybe just maybe there was something I missed I wish I could do it over again Maybe this time I would get it right. ¬David R. Alexander August 10, 2003 Did you know à I would wish that you bring as many home as possible
Sunday, February 06, 2005

As a fellow Buckeye, I say "THANK YOU, SIR"

As a Veteran, I say "JOB WELL DONE, LIEUTENANT"

As an American, "YOUR DEATH WAS NOT IN VAIN"

And as a Believer, "YOUR SPIRIT IS ALIVE--AND STRONG"

Again, thank you for your valiant and courageous service, faithful contribution, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours! ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND

Russin, Donald John, Jr., 1LT