Chicago Remembered
by Luis Martinez

I tried to keep your son alive that night in 1970. Our Corpsman, "Doc" Coonfield, pronounced him dead but he was a MARINE. I just couldn`t accept the fact that one of us, a good guy, had been killed.

Oblivious to the growl of weapons blindly seeking revenge against an invisible enemy, I kept pumping his heart and blowing air into his mouth trying in desperation to bring him back to life. Our unit, CAP 2-7-10, operated in an isolated area, perhaps a 30 minute flight South of DaNang. We agonized what seemed an eternity for the arrival of the med-evac chopper.

In the meantime another Marine, the dog handler, snapped; he shook uncontrollably the way a person can when overcome by horror. By the time the thunderous apparition found its way to us through the hostile night air I had been overcome with rage.

As we loaded the helicopter and it lifted off, I unleashed my contempt at the perceived delay with pitched profanity and a gesture of disrespect as it disappeared into the black of night.

I lived 24/7 with the people and popular force militia soldiers in the primitive villages and hamlets along Vietnam's Highway 1 for about a year after Fiester's death. The booby-trapped grave mounds where he died give testimony to ones destiny.

Our constantly changing 12 man Combined Action Platoon (CAP) suffered more deaths and having been wounded twice I no longer considered myself indestructible. I was no longer confident that I would make it back to "the world" alive.

I visited Chicago recently, inspired by its beauty but feeling somewhat insignificant amongst the bustle of the magnificent mile. By chance I found the River Walk and between the Wabash and State St. bridges, as if under the vigil of doting skyscrapers, I discovered the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial.

There, near the backwards rushing river where CHICAGO REMEMBERS I found, among many, the name Glen Alan Fiester. Overcome by emotion I thought back to that night in Vietnam when I last saw him and for an instant near the gushing fountains I sensed a presence that I alone can speak about.

As a Vietnam Veteran I thank you for CHICAGO REMEMBERS, the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial. It is a testament to the spirit of your great city and those who love it and the United States of America.

Luis Martinez
Cleveland, Ohio
April, 2011

Last name: FIESTER
First name: GLEN ALAN
Home of Record (official): PARK RIDGE
State (official): IL
Date of Birth: Sunday, May 27, 1951
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Single

--- Military ---

Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: PFC
Serial Number: 339465774
Component: Regular
Pay grade: E2
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 0311

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Monday, May 11, 1970
Date of Casualty: Tuesday, September 8, 1970
Age at time of loss: 19
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Nam
The Wall: Panel 07W - Row 046