Part II, October 2004

Our Wall, Our Recognition

The fighting continues and our brothers and sisters continue to fall. Yet still, we rarely see their faces on the television nor hear of their courage or sacrifices on the daily news reports. However, this presentation is our “Wall of Recognition” and I will continue my watch , for this is my charge as an American, a Veteran and a Black man. For those of you who have received this, I hope that you take the time to honor the fallen and keep them in your hearts and minds whenever you hear of another casualty in the war on terror. Many of you have responded, from California to Florida, New York to Texas, and from Germany to Iraq, Some have submitted pictures and thoughts and all were greatly appreciated . The pictures are not in order of rank. I have intentionally done this because these people have crossed into paradise where rank no longer matters. We should view all of them in this way.

For future submissions or omissions, email me at Donqdow2@hotmail.com

God Bless, Clyde Dowell II

Cpl. David Fraise, 24

Cpl. Demetrius Rice, 24

Pfc. James Lambert III 22

Pfc. Jeremy Ewing 22 Pfc. lyndon Marcus jr. 21

Pfc. Marquis Whitaker 20

Pfc. Rayshawn Johnson, 20

Sgt. Karl Thomas 29

Pfc. Rodricka Youmans, 22 Pfc. Spence McNeil, 19 SSgt. Rickey Crockett 37 Sgt. Nathaniel Hart Jr. 29

Spc. Marco Ross 20 Spc. Nathaniel Caldwell, 27 Ssgt. Eddie Edwards, 35 Pfc. Anthony Dixon, 20

A1C Carl Anderson Jr. 21

Cpl. Adrian Soltau, 21 Pfc. Markus J. Johnson 20

Pfc. Samuel Bowen 38 Pfc. Torry.Harris 21

Sgt. Kenneth Conde Jr. 23Sgt. Deforest Talbert 24

Spc.Charles.Odums II 22

Spc. Darryl Dent 21Lance Cpl. Tavon Hubbard, 24

Spc. Frank Rivers Jr. 23

Lance Cpl. Todd J. Bolding 23Major Ronald Milam 33 Pentagon Victim, 9/11/2001

Forever in our HeartsFlight 77 victims, 9/11/2001

Asia Cottom 11 Bernard Brown 11 Rodney Dickens 11

These three Angels were on an educational trip to the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary near Santa Barbara, California, as part of a program funded by the National Geographic Society. It is my hope that the sacrifices of the fallen will prevent another tragedy like the one that befell these innocents.

Shoshana Johnson, spent 22 days as a prisoner of war in Iraq after being shot in both legs during an ambush. She was part of the convoy that featured the highly publicized, Private Jessica Lynch.

The U.S. Army has awarded her the National Defense Ribbon, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Prisoner of War Medal. Despite her extensive injuries, she was only awarded a thirty percent disability allowance, and was not “recognized “ by the national media until charges of racism were leveled.

Regardless of the lack of attention and compensation, Shoshana remains upbeat and has nothing but positive feelings for her experience in the Army.

“Although I am now leaving the Army, I in no way regret my time in the military”

”To my fallen comrades and their families, my utmost respect, and gratitude for their sacrifices,"Their memory has made me a better person and they will not be forgotten."

Shoshana Johnson, America’s first Black Woman Prisoner of War

My Lord …

How much longer…

Until they return?

We constantly hear that freedom isn’t free, but human life is priceless and should not be spent with reckless abandonment. There are currently over 1000 dead Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Marines since the war on terror began. 128 of them are African Americans.

“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." Isaiah 2:4