Shadow box

Miss you
POSTED ON 11.11.2019
POSTED BY: Colleen Strayer
colleen1228moore@yahoo.com
I love and miss you Dad!! Xoxo

My Dad
POSTED ON 8.13.2019
POSTED BY: Colleen Strayer
colleen1228moore@yahoo.com

Love and miss you dad.
Now you and mom are in heaven watching over me and Stevie

Friend
Posted on 5/30/18 - by Henry Olszowy holszowy@aol.com

I remember when Pat and his brother John moved into our neighborhood. They were super cool with their spade shoes and engineer boots. Even though Pat was three years older, he treated my brother and I as equals. He was outgoing and friendly always with a smile on his face. My Mom hired him in our grocery store and he did a great job with customers. He was trustworthy and honest as the day is long. When I went away to college and Pat joined the army we lost touch. It was gut wrenching to hear that he died a hero. I visited him at the Wall last year and traced his name. It’s framed and hangs on a wall in my home. What a great guy!

You are not forgotten
Posted on 2/2/17 - by jerry sandwisch wood cty.ohio nam vet 1969-70 army 173rd abn bde

The war may be forgotten but the warrior will always be remembered !!!! All gave Some-Some gave All. Rest in peace Patrick

Remembering
Posted on 4/9/16 - by Kathleen Moore Moorekathleen61@yahoo.com

Patrick was my cousin, his Mom was my Mom's Sister Mary. We grew up in different States, but I often think of him and how he gave all!! He lost out on watching his Daughter grow up, left behind a Wife, a Brother, his Mom
And Dad, a baby Sister lots of Family. Patrick I am so sorry you died so young, your a hero and I want you to know I love you, we have never forgotten you and one day we hope to meet you in Heaven Amen

Remembering An American Hero
Posted on 11/30/13 - by Curt Carter ccarter02@earthlink.net

Dear SSGT Patrick Joseph Strayer, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir
Curt Carter

A Note from The Virtual Wall

On 31 Jan 1968, Charlie Troop, 3/4th Cav, provided a reaction force in support of Tan Son Nhut Air Base. The after-action report states what happened in typically sterile military language:

"On 31 January Troop C (-) reacted to Tan Son Nhut Air Base. The Troop was ambushed outside gate 051. The Squadron reacted with Troop D and Troop B (+). The results of action was 3 APC completely lost, 1 Tank completely lost, 7 APC damaged, 14 US KHA, 64 US WHA, 309 VC KIA (BC), 24 VC PW ..."

I am your Uncle Carl Estenik. Your dad and I and your Uncle John pretty much grew up together in Cleveland. Pat and I both went into the Army at about the same time and we both ended up in viet Nam.

About five years after your Dad's death I stopped for a visit in Cleveland. You were about six or seven years old. You asked me "What was my Daddy like?" and was I his high school friend? I didn't know what to tell you at that time or what your age would allow you to understand. Now I've lost contact with you and your family after these many years but I still want to answer your questions.

Let me tell you about your father, you already know his military record, and he was every bit a hero. No, Colleen, I did not go to high school with him, but I can still tell you what he was like. We were both stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where you were born. Pat and I were both in the Army for about eight years or so. Your mom and my wife were friends and your dad and I were the very best of friends. I believe we are only given one true friend in life, all others are just acquaintances. I knew your dad four or five years before you were born. What was he like? He was very proud the day you were born. I was in your house, at a party, and your entrance broke the party up real fast. That was the night you were born.

Patrick and I spent every free minute together hunting and fishing. We would take our old dogs out all day. Your dad's dog was named Toby, he was a bird dog, and I had a beagle (rabbit dog) named Traveler after Robert E. Lees' famous horse. We would go for the weekend camping and fishing. We would sit up all night with a little bourbon, our fishing poles and the dogs. We really didn't care if we caught any fish. We just talked, joked around, told stories and planned for the future.

We planned to finish our enlistments and give the Army up. We talked about moving to Idaho. We heard of the good fishing, hunting and jobs out there. Your Dad loved to play practical jokes and your Mom was usually at the butt end of those jokes.

Pat could see things around him that I never noticed. I guess he had so much feeling for his fellow man. One day a few weeks before Christmas, we had been deer hunting off post, we stopped at a bar for sandwiches and beer. It was cold and snowing. There was a car in the parking lot with three little children in it. Your Dad noticed this while I just walked by, do you see what I mean. Well, we went in the bar, there were three civilians, drinking at the bar. Your Dad asked who's car it was... Well, there are three Kentucky civilians who will not forget your Dad or ever leave children to freeze in a car again.

The day Pat left for Nam he gave me a few things to keep for him. To this day, I still have them. If you ever read this letter I would like for you to have those things back. They belong to you. I loved your Dad more than any man or person in my family. He has been my only friend. I have never hunted again. I tried fishing but it was just not the same.

I was supposed to be your godfather and my ex-wife to be your godmother. Since I was not Catholic the church would not allow this. That really hurt your Dad, he really wanted me to be your godfather. I never had any children. I did take a discharge from the Army after Nam and nine years military service but I never moved to Idaho. I now live in the Tennesee Mountains. I guess this is as close to Idaho as I will ever be.

Garnet Jenkins
garijen@bresnan.net
Grand Junction Co
~ You Are Not Forgotten, Patrick ~

In Remembrance of your service and with a Multitude of Thanks for your Courage and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest in Peace SSgt Patrick Joseph Strayer and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of Sgt. David Dickinson, who also made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam in 1967..... ~TREASURE THIS HERO LORD, IN YOUR GARDEN OF REST, FOR WHILE HERE ON EARTH, HE WAS ONE OF OUR BEST~

Jun 11, 2008

Manuel Pino Bco 2/8th 1st Cav 68-69
mpjr54@msn.com
Fellow Vietnam Army Vet
C Trp/3/4th Cav Rgt, 25th Inf Div

"Step forward now, you soldier, You've borne your burdens well. Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets, You've done your time in Hell." Author Unknown
Jul 17, 2007

robert schuyler
skydogg33@hotmail.com
friend
832 west st
stoughton, wi 53589 usaYou were my friend and my hero
you were my friend and my hero. I have thought of you so often over the years. you were a great friend
Saturday, August 20, 2005

ANONYMOUS AND GRATEFUL
SO YOUNG! SO BRAVE! HOW CAN IT BE THAT SOMEONE SO YOUNG CAN GIVE THEIR LIFE FOR FREEDOM AND SO FEW ACKNOWLEDGE HIS SACRIFICE. SOME OF US CARE. THANK YOU SEEMS SO INADEQUATE BUT IT'S ALL I HAVE.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006

As a fellow Buckeye, I say "THANK YOU"

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

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

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

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you SSGT STRAYER, for your courageous and valiant service, years of faithfully contributing, and most holy sacrifice, given to this great country of ours!

REST IN ETERNAL PEACE MY FRIEND

Strayer, Patrick Joseph, SSG