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Neal Robert Thalin
Private First Class
D CO, 1ST BN, 5TH MARINES, 1ST MARDIV, III MAF United States Marine Corps Dedham, Massachusetts April 24, 1947 to June 02, 1967 NEAL R THALIN is on the Wall at Panel 21E, Line 39 |
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For Neal,
From one of the Seven Friends, |
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My name is Bruce Manns and I too was one of the 7 from Dedham, Massachusetts. We lost Neal one month after we lost Robert J. Todd [M.I.A.]. I was with 1st Antitank [ONTOS] and was wounded 8 June 68 in Operation NEVADA EAGLE. We miss you, Neal, and Toddsie every day. We had a reunion this summer up by your headstones and Ricky took some great photos. He came out from California to be with us. It was the first time we were virtually all together in a long time up there on Veterans' Hill. Well, my eyes are swelling up and I'm not sure if I'm doing this right. I hope you both are with St. Michael in the ARCH Angel's troop now. GOD bless and SEMPER FI, BRO'S ... Bruce Manns [one of the 7 from Dedham]
From a friend, brother, and one of the "7", |
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My name is Howie Howe, and I am another of the brothers who call themselves the "Seven from Dedham". Neal is buried on Memorial Hill in Brookdale Cemetery, Dedham, MA, right next to a memorial stone for our other brother Bobby Todd, origanlly classified KIA, but later changed to MIA since his body was not recovered. They were both killed within thirty days in Nam in 1967. Every group, gang, or clique had people that you could best describe by relating them to others as contemporary TV characters. We were a diversified group for sure, and Neal was our Fonzie. Just like Henry Winkler, who played Fonzie, Neal was thin in body type, if dressd in a suit you would ahve mistaken him for a nerd, but what Neal lacked in physical structure, he made up for in character. He loved motorcycles, especially Triumph Bonneville TT's, a dream he hoped to acquire after the war, and he loved cars, always building and souping up older Oldsmobiles. And Neal was courageous, never the type to back down from a fight. This can be clearly evidenced by the fact that he was posthumously awarded a Bronze star for his actions on the day of his death. Almost forty years after his loss, we still have very vivid and loving memories of our brother Neal that we will never relinquish. Members of the Seven have already committed to being cremated upon our deaths, and our remains placed on the Hill with Neal and Bobby for our final rest, and the Town of Dedham has granted us the authority to do this, though now we are scattered all over the country. Neal, your spirit will remain with us for the rest of our lives, and in death we plan on joining you. Semper Fi, and Love, Bro!
Howie Howe |
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Neal, The love of my life, still in my heart to this day.
From his love, |
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Forty years have passed since you died ... a lot has changed in the world. The gap left by your death still hurts ... that will never change. You will never be forgotten - and I know that you know that. There's so much I wish you could have shared - my memories are all your nephews know of you - but they stood tall and proud at the Wall while I wept. If anyone who remembers him reads this, please send me an email. Thanks and Semper Fi
From his sister, |
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