11 Aug 2005 I remember Clifford because he lived next door to me. He was a great, fun-loving guy. He was excited to go into the Marines at the time, he felt it was his duty. So many young men in North Albany signed up. Clifford was an only son. I still don't understand how they could do that. I believe at this time, both his parents have passed away. He does have a surviving sister (Rosie) as far as I know. We moved away from North Albany after my own brother was killed in 1967. From a friend, Bobbi Lynne Slingerland Hoover P. O. Box 111, Speculator, NY 12164 hoovers3@klink.net 20 Nov 2005 More Than A Name On A Wall (author unknown) I saw her from a distance As she walked up to the Wall in her hand she held some flowers as her tears began to fall and she took out pen and paper as to trace her memories and she looked up to heaven and the words she said were these... She said Lord, my boy was special, and he meant so much to me and Oh I'd love to see him just one more time you see All I have are the memories and the moments to recall So Lord could you tell him, He's more than a name on a Wall.. She said he really missed the family and being home on Christmas day and he died for God and Country in a place so far away. I remember just a little boy playing war since he was three But Lord this time I know, He's not coming home to me And she said Lord my boy was special, and he meant so much to me and Oh I'd love to see him But I know it just can't be So I thank you for my memories and the moments to recall But Lord could you tell him, He's more than a name on a Wall.. Lord, could you tell him, He's more than a name on a Wall.. From a friend, Bobbi Lynne Hoover hoovers3@klink.net

 

20 Oct 2006 Cliff and I attended Albany High at the same time. We were very close friends. I used to make an extra sandwich for him and bring some chocolate chip cookies (he loved them!) ... we sat with one another many times during lunch period. I moved away and left Albany High in my Junior year. I remember the day I told him I was leaving and he asked me if I really had to go to which I replied yes. My last day at school, he walked me to the front doors of Albany High and as I descended down those concrete stairs, I turned and told him I would back someday. He nodded but I remember how very sad his expression was. When I was 19, I called a former high school friend and asked her if she knew where Cliffy was. I wanted so to get in touch with him. She told me he had been killed in Viet Nam and I remember I cried for a very long time afterwards. And to this day, I still think of him. I hope that someday I may visit where Cliffy was laid to rest (St Johns in the Wilderness). I miss him to this very day. I owe him, at the very least, a rose. From a friend, Amy Cooke hagenra@nep.net

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall In early April, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, were involved in Operation OKLAHOMA HILLS, a search-and destroy operation aimed at the 31st NVA Regiment in the hills west of Danang. On 11 Apr, Echo Company found the 31st NVA's main base camp, an installation consisting of more than 300 assorted fortifications and buildings as well as large quantities of munitions and equipment. Golf Company, operating to Echo's west, found a smaller, but still large, enemy complex. Rather than stand and fight, the 31st NVA Regiment chose to abandon their base camps - but used blocking forces and rear-guard actions to protect movement of the main body of their troops further into the hills. One of these actions, on 15 Apr 1969, cost Golf Company, 2/7 Marines, three men killed in action: HM3 Walter J. Junger, Tulsa, OK; LCpl Wayne R. Quarles, Camden, NJ; and Pfc Clifford G. LaBombard, Albany, NY. Mrs. Hoover's brother, SP4 Gerald H. Slingerland, was one of four men who died in the crash of UH-1C hull number 66-00514 on 26 Oct 1967.

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