Jerome Rawlings

I knew Jerome welll, we were friends throughout high school. I suppose a previous comment that Jerome was a loner has a bit of truth to it. The "cool kids" were intolerant of those who weren't; many mercilessly teased Jerome because he was driven to be a policeman someday. He talked often of police matters and becoming one, it was what interested him most. While his death so young is a tragedy, I take some comfort in the knowledge that he achieved his goal of becoming a policeman, by serving his country as an MP.

I knew of Jerome but I didn't know Jerome. I feel really bad in that I didn't take the time to know him. I remember him as a loner, but maybe that's just my old memory. Our class, as great as it was, did have some 'holes' in it like any other large group of people. And it was the sixties. In any event, I am pained by what happened to him. We were there at the same time. Strange feelings somedays as I always wonder what might have been. The first time I saw the wall was in D.C. Since then I have been at the traveling wall pulling security. Actually, just some old Vets making sure nothing happens to our shrine, of sorts. During the night, usually around 2 or 3 a.m., I'll walk the wall and talk to him. It's a good feeling. He'll be on my mind, on occassions, and never far from his Kirkwood home. Here's to you, Jerry!