In Memory Of Michael Fonseca "Marine"

DON'T CRY

"IF

I DON'T COME HOME MOM "

Freedom is Precious, War is Tragic ...

God Bless All Our Boys Now Serving In Iraq! Bring Them All Home Safe

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In Memory of Michael Fonseca

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In remembrance of Michael Fonseca who died in Vietnam U.S. Marine

To all the Men and Women who went to war

To protect our Freedom & Liberties we enjoy today

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"Don't be afraid Mom"

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The Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall Page

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Dedicated to all of those who

dedicated themselves during war time.

Thank you and God bless America

Family Memories

Michael Fonseca

Remember

wanted to be a Marine.

After his best friend "David Velasquez" angeld_2.gif (58872 bytes) had been killed in Vietnam

Michael volunteered. Michael also went to Vietnam. The telegram started:

Michael's parents "We regret to inform you ..."

"Mike died Friday from Gunshot wounds to the body from hostile rifle fire while in operations in the Vicinity of Thua, Thien, Republic Of Vietnam. He was a Private First Class.

"Mike was always keen about the Marines" his mother recalled yesterday, "he use to tell me he was thinking about joining and then when David was killed, I knew for sure he would choose the Marines" she continued, "Michael and David were very close friends. Michael felt David's death was reason enough for continuing the fight for Freedom" said his older brother, Victor.

He is remembered by his Gardner grade and High School teachers as an "out standing" young man. He lettered his Sophomore, Junior and Senior year in football,when he played on the Trailblazers defensive line. "Michael was the type of kid, if you asked he would do anything, you could depend on him," said his foot ball coach. "He was a real competitor".

"If you told kids to surround yourself with good people, Michael was one of those good people," Delay said.

Michael enlisted in the Marines on Oct 10th,1966, arriving at Camp Pendleton, California, for boot camp. While at Pendleton he was being trained in sniper fire. However he was sent to Vietnam as an infantry replacement.

Michael was a frequent corespondent with his family. His letters since arriving Vietnam were neatly handwritten on letterhead stationary with occasional sketches. He had a flair for art. His last letter home to his mother dated two days before his death, enclosed six samples of his talented free hand sketches. One was of sketches of a Kansas Jayhawk and another was of "Charlie" in the rice paddy.

"He was never afraid to go to Vietnam" recalled his mother with just a hint of tears in her eyes. "He really intended to go to Vietnam for David all the time", she said softly.

Before his last leave, Michael told his mother

"DON'T BE AFRAID IF I DON'T COME BACK"

His letters continually kept insuring the family that he was all right "Everything is just fine and dandy", he said in one letter, and again another letter, "Don't worry mom" .

"He never complained about anything"

Michael mother also stated her brother, Army PFC John Tinoco was also stationed in Vietnam and that he received a letter from Michael the same day his parents received the telegrams from the Marine Corp Commandant.

John wrote saying, "Just received a letter from Michael"

The family requested that Tinoco escort the body back to America .

We have no ill feelings for the enemy, Mrs. Fonseca said very simply and quietly,

"It was God's will...It was just something that had to happen"

Shortly before the fatal encounter,

Mike wrote to Victor in a letter dated Oct, 21st, 1967:

"The day after tomorrow we go in a big one.

Vic , this could be it on the 23rd. We are suppose to go up and into the hills to dig up the hard corps of VC".

Michael's Last Letter

From Nam

To Vietnam Veteran Johnny Tinoco

Dear Uncle John

3D Marine Division (Rein), FMF, Vietnam

October 23, 1967

Last

Letter From Nam,

Angels are always near.

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It has been noted by friends Shay and Skip Gosnel that:

This above Photo taken In Vietnam 1967 by Johnny, to share with Michael, appears an angel in the foliage looking down (middle of photo) , And woman

Suggested possibly , Mother Mary holding a baby (to your left back in photo.) Yes Shay, we see it too.

Studying the photo and asking Johnny , he tells us (middle of photo) in sky hovering behind is a real statue from far away. Not quiet sure of what !

Looks like it could be Jesus. Photo by John

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Please feel free to send in your stories of love ones and or any photos you may want share. We are here for you !

Please drop a note on the family guest page. Mike's mother "Toni Fonseca" will love hearing form other Veterans who served our Country.

God Bless Our missing boys

Bring them home!

God Bless Our Boys In Iraq and please

bring them home safe to their family.

POW/MIA red, wht, blu

Still Waiting

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By Joe Tinoco

GOD BLESS AMERICA

LADY LIBERTY

Thank you Nadene Collins (my Co-Writer)

For her inspiration and her wisdom to make this song a success.

Two of her sons also served in Vietnam.

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Thank you

God Bless America - 9k

Whole Wide World

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Thanks you Johnny Tinoco, for sharing your photos and story and letters .

E-Mail To Family

We know it was hard going back to the memories of returning Michael home from Nam, to your sister .

God Bless you Johnny for your service in Nam and the wounds both spiritually and physically that you received while you served and that you continue to live with today. Again God Bless You .