It had been 38 years since Aurence last saw his high school friend Galen (Forbes in Vietnam) Foster. They parted ways in the small town of Conyers, Georgia, where they rode the school bus and played ball together, to take different paths that led them both to a small country called Vietnam. Forbes became part of the Army, and Aurence and Danny Dean McGee joined the Marines on the buddy program. Aurence and Danny went to Parris Island where, after two weeks, the two buddies were separated. Aurence never saw Danny again. He was killed shortly after arriving in Vietnam, his unit ambushed.

The Vietnam War took its toll not only in the numbers of those who gave their lives and those who returned home with permanent physical injuries, but in those who returned home mere shells of the young vibrant boys who left their safe homes a few years earlier. They returned home to no parades and little help from their government. They were expected to transition themselves from a world of hell to a world of normalcy. Some did, some didn't. But for those who did, the memories of the Vietnam War are forever engraved on their souls.

Aurence and Forbes were able to move back into the normal stream of things and make a good life for themselves. Though, like all Vietnam Veterans who saw combat, their memories were always with them. Someone once said, every Vietnam Vet on his deathbed will be thinking about Vietnam. I believe that to be true.

Vietnam will forever be a part of the mindset of those who saw combat. Those who begin healing journeys seek solace in different ways. For Aurence, it began with his art in 1994. He never forgot his friend Danny McGee and keeps his spirit alive in his art through his signature tribute to Danny that appears in all of his works. He also pays tribute in other ways such as painting Danny’s name on a chopper or jeep or placing a grave for Danny in a painting.

When pilot Bruce LeMoine landed a Vietnam-era Huey in our backyard for the filming of In The Shadow Of The Blade in 2002, the producer asked Aurence to paint the POW emblem on the Huey, tail #091. Aurence added his signature White Dog, fireball, and his tribute to Danny Dean McGee in his signature (a squiggly "D" with 2 hatch marks). With Aurence's signature, Danny’s spirit became a part of 091.

Aurence believes if there had been a Huey in the area when Danny was killed he might have been saved. When 091 landed in Aurence’s backyard it gave new life to Danny. It meant a lot to Aurence to affix Danny's spirit to 091 and pull pitch with Danny onboard on October 8, 2002. At the time, Aurence could have never guessed that 17 months later he would be co-piloting 091 at Quantico, and seeing Danny's spirit land at the National Mall in DC.

Several years ago Aurence began a search for Danny’s grave and his family. He wanted to meet with Danny’s family and let them know Danny will live forever in his art. He also wanted to go to the gravesite with them to say goodbye to Danny.

Aurence made a general posting for Danny at the Virtual Wall in 2001. In July of 2003, Forbes saw the posting. Although the details on the search for Danny’s family have been posted on Aurence’s site, at the VW he only asked that family members or friends contact him.

When Forbes saw the posting, he sent a general email to Aurence, signing his name "Forbes." Neither Forbes nor Aurence knew who each other were until the second email. Forbes immediately went about locating Danny’s family, and both he and his lovely wife, Brenda, helped in giving Danny a very special memorial service on August 2, 2003.

So 38 years later three high school friends are reunited, healings happen, and Danny Dean McGee is given new life. Those who gave their lives in Vietnam should never be forgotten. Those living should be thanked everyday for what they did. Combat Vietnam Veterans, living and deceased, are heroes, and we can never do enough to remember them and to thank them.

Some things are random in life, and some things happen for reasons we don't understand. Whatever, Aurence's art, his search for Danny, Arrowhead Film and Video, Forbes, and the 091 Committee have helped create a unique tribute for Danny, one that makes his family very proud. For 30 years Danny's spirit will be a part of 091 at the Price of Freedom exhibit. Danny will speak through Aurence's art for all those who never returned.

Saluting	Letter for Aurence	Letter for Galen	Danny Dean McGee Day
A hug	Col Ben Purcell prepares	Speaking	The salute
The wreath	Another salute	21 Gun Salute	Honor Guard

A big thanks to Galen's wife who did a lot to make the day happen. Behind every good Vietnam Veteran there is a good Vietnam Veteran's wife who supports her good man.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________