Ernest Villa

Jim years have passed but you will live in my memory till i see you one day.

Three years since you walked from this Earth. Your photograph and flag have a place of honor in our home because we loved you very much. Remembering you at Christmas. We put a Christmas wreath where your bones are at rest.

Dear Brother, Remembering you during the holiday season. Chickie has a new grandson. They named him Wes and his middle name is Jim. He born on the day that you walked from this world. Life really is a circle! Rest in Peace, Uncle Jim.

Jim and i had lots of fun. Remembering those times makes the soul feel good. Even the memories we would share about Vietnam gave us both some relief. I will miss Jim till I am no longer on this earth. Though i firmly believe i will SEE him on the other side one day.

Went with Varian to pay respect and he read this for you big brother:

REMEMBER ME
Do not shed tears when I have gone but smile instead because I have lived. Do not shut your eyes and pray to God that I'll come back but open your eyes and see all that I have left behind. I know your heart will be empty because you cannot see me but still I want you to be full of the love we shared. You can turn your back on tomorrow and live only for yesterday or you can be happy for tomorrow...

He loved me unconditionally which is rare even in families.

I remember Jim taught me the base to song by the Four Tops, "I Can't help myself>" We would share our Viet Nam experiences and talk not just as two brothers but as two veterans. I remember Jim growing up in El Paso as a band member, he was popular with the girls to the point of the almost daily chorus yelling out his name, "Jimmy! Jimmy!" We would be in the Franklin Mountains when he showed me the very first horned toad I had ever seen. In fact, it was Jim who introduced me to Bob...

He was intelligent, loved food & music. He was always playing records and listening to the radio or playing his guitar. He loved to read and would read his Bible daily. He was one of the most unselfish persons you would ever meet. Always willing to do and give to others. He taught me about Algebra and how to pick at the guitar and to laugh out loud at the silliest things without a second thought. He wore his Captain's hat and bandana around his neck most of the time. He would whistle while...