Dean's Column

Memorial Day, 2000

In late January of this year I received a letter and enclosed check for a substantial sum of money from one of our alumni, along with the enclosure set forth below. The donor’s request to remain anonymous will be honored and the request for the "In Memoriams" and the reason that his request be shared has been honored by submitting the request to the Daily Athenaeum and the Mountaineer Spirit with the request that it be published near Memorial Day. However, I doubt there any lawyers practicing in West Virginia of "my" generation who did not have friends who also lost their lives in Vietnam. I believe that the lives of the lawyers of the next generation, either through family or friends, were also touched by the Vietnam War. While the anonymous donor is paying tribute to five friends, I believe he would welcome his message serving as a reminder to each of us of our own family, friends, and colleagues who gave their lives in service to our country.

The enclosure is as follows:

"An anonymous gift has been made to the College of Law fund for extraordinary student needs. This fund enables students to overcome unexpected financial emergencies so they can finish their schooling rather than have to drop out because of lack of money.

‘The Plaque

My eyes have just adjusted to the dimmed light of the hall. Outside, it is a bright spring day. I know it is only a few feet away. My legs seem strangely reluctant. As I get close, I notice a strange tension in my body. Then I see it and touch it. It is smooth and cool to my hand. I am startled by how cool it is. As I keep my hand on it, my thoughts go back into the past.

I think about what they didn’t get to do. They none saw their son or daughter graduate from college. They none walked their daughter down the aisle. They none had a grandchild.

John Robert Ball. John was a shy, quiet boy who lived with his mother in a small house on the hill above our house in Charleston. He was an Army Lieutenant and platoon leader when he was lost to hostile fire. He was among the first, if not the first, West Virginia casualty.

Larry Francis Lucas. Larry was neat in appearance and his demeanor. He had a confidence and a warmth that was special. His fighter plane was shot down over the steaming jungle of Laos.

Terry Louis Fyock. Terry was a tall, graceful high school basketball player. He was killed by enemy fire as a combat infantryman. He had so much potential.

William Timothy Wheeler. Tim loved to play touch football, and always had a ready smile. He never felt the impact of the mortar round that took his life.

Albert Parker Carden. Pat was just completing his second tour of duty in Vietnam. He was killed a few days before he was to leave for home. He was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major and is buried in Arlington Cemetery.

None of them came back. They paid the ultimate price for us. We got to do so many things in the last twenty-seven years that they didn’t get to do. It would be extremely selfish and inconsiderate to pass without doing something to express to them and their families some measure of gratitude for what they gave and what they lost.

I am seized by survivor guilt. My cheeks are wet as I leave. No one sees me. I slip out the side door and into my car. In a few seconds I am out of the parking lot and gone.

The plaque remains on the wall, dedicated to their memories. They gave so much. They deserve more of a memorial than just a plaque. I will never forget them.

– A Friend"

Since the gift is at the Dean’s Partners level, the Dean’s Partners plaque will read "In honor of five fallen West Virginia heroes who gave their lives in Vietnam."