Tommy  Spakes tspakes@bellsouth.net Son 272 Walnut Grove Rd. Kingston Tennessee 37763 USA Today, March 12, 2010. The 42nd anniversay of my fathers death. You are gone, but you are alive in my heart. Not a day goes by, that thoughts of you come to me. I don't have a lot of memories of you, but I do remember times and places with you. I can look at photographs and remember thoses days and times that were so long ago. In September of this year I made my first trip to Washington D.C. and found your name on the wall. I felt so many different emotions seeing your name along with the thousands of other brave men and women who gave there lives for our freedom. THANK YOU! Your Son, Tommy Mar 12, 2010 |
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David Spakes david@spakes.net PO Box 834 Seymour TN 37865 USA
Dear Estel, Introductions are in order. I am David Scott Spakes. My brothers Michael,
Buddy, and Tommy are your sons. My sister Brenda is your adopted daughter.
I carry your name, proudly, even though I am the son you never knew. I am filled with overwhelming emotion as I type this message to you. I
know that I can never feel the pain of your loss as deeply as my siblings,
because they knew you in life. But you mean a lot to me. Your sacrifice
made it possible for me to be raised to adulthood. You paid for every
stitch of clothing that I wore and for every morsel that entered into my
mouth. Rather, God chose you to provide these things for me since my own
father would not. In this way you were in God's service as much as you
were ever in the service of our nation. You would be proud of your family. Your children are sincere, tender-hearted,
and respectful. They love each other, their own children, and our mother
Ruby very deeply. Not one is a failure. Not one in trouble with the law.
All are patriotic.
I am a minister of Gospel of Jesus Christ. When I was a young boy, my
mother told me that a week before you shipped out for the last time, you
gave your heart to God. That fills my heart with tremendous joy, because
I know that one day when we are together with Jesus, I will finally get
the opportunity to meet you and to know you (and you will know me).
Until then, I have no doubt that your story at times will pass from my
lips to the congregation as a testimony to the salvation message.
May others come to know our Lord through your decision!
The anniversary of your passing is tomorrow, and my sister has suggested
to the brothers that we remember your life with a toast and a few moments
of reflection. I was honored to counted among their number to be invited
to participate. I will remember you, Estel, for all that you did for me.
With love as of a son, " Scotty"
Mar 11, 2010 |
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Garnet  Jenkins garijen@bresnan.net Grand Junction Co ~ With Profound Gratitude ~
![](http://thewall-usa.com/guestbook/gallery3/rose.gif) Thank You, Sfc Estel Denny Spakes, for your Courage and your years of Service and Dedication to our Country and for Freedom. Rest in Peace and know that you will NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. I am the sister of a young hero, who also made the Supreme Sacrifice in Vietnam 1967.....'GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS, THAT HE LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS.' ~ John 15:13 ~ Mar 12, 2009 |
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Manuel Pino  B/2/8th Cav,1st Cav 68-69 mpjr54@msn. com Fellow Army Vietnam Brother 5th SF Grp/ C co/Det A-109 (Thuong Duc)
![](http://thewall-usa.com/guestbook/gallery10/sfpatch.jpg) ~TREASURE THIS HERO LORD, IN YOUR GARDEN OF REST, FOR WHILE HERE ON EARTH, HE WAS ONE OF OUR BEST~ Oct 1, 2008 |
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Harold  Carpenter carpenter11@cox.net Served Together 8th Special Forces To An Old Team Member Estel and I served together on Det A22 Company B 8th Special Forces in Panama. Estel was a great NCO and a pleasure to serve with. Many years ago my wife Lene and I visited Estel and Ruby in Fort Davis and that was the first time we ever tasted Coffee Mate as it had just come out. We still talk about it from time to time. Rest in Peace Estel.
Harold T. Carpenter
Sergeant Major USA (Ret) Sep 24, 2008 |
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manny   g Fellow Veteran 69-70 An Khe Union Gap, WA. 98903 “You are Remembered” Peace and condolence, to the family and friends. "He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. Rest in peace brave soldier, you have not been forgotten. (W.Shakespeare) May God Bless You for your Sacrifice!!! Mar 12, 2008 |
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Brittany Spakes Grandaughter
![](http://thewall-usa.com/guestbook/gallery8/014512466.jpg) Grandpa Spakes died way before i was ever thought of being born...but somehow i feel so connected to this man i call my hero. he will always be with me. I just recently got a tattoo to honor him....a way of remembering him always. And in 20 years....i can tell my own children about him..just as my dad and Granny did for me.....and it's something i will always be proud of..and i hope they will too. Oct 22, 2006 |
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Michael Spakes michaelsbusiness@aol.com Son Visit to the Wall Tomorrow (June 2, 2006) my 11 year old Daughter Kaylee is making a school trip to Washington DC to visit The Wall and see her Grandpa's name. I hope seeing The Wall and the names engraved thereon has meaning to her and that she will come away with a new sense of understanding of the sacrifice her Grandfather and Others made in defense of our way of life. I hope she can feel your presence Dad, and the love I know you would have had for her if you had been able to stay with us instead of going away so long ago. I think you two would have been great buddies. All Our Love. Thursday, June 01, 2006 |
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Ruby Spakes ppuff40@yahoo.com Wife Remembering I am the widow of Estel D. Spakes. I know that if he were here today, he would be very proud of his children and grandchildren. He is often in our thoughts and conversations. We still miss him very much. Today is his birthday. Estel was proud to serve our country, and was willing to give his life to defend our freedom. I want to thank him and ALL those who have served our country. God Bless America! Wednesday, October 10, 2001 |
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Michael Spakes michaelsbusiness@aol.com Son Knoxville, TN USA A Father's Love. It's A Love Without End, Amen. You answered your country's call when others didn't. Your family needed you, but you did what you had to do. I wish you could see your children now - and the grandchildren you never knew. They ask about "Grandpa". We will ALWAYS Love You. We will ALWAYS remember. Dear God, if only things could have been different. Tuesday, July 04, 2000 |
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