Henry Dean Lankford, 18, died March 5, 1966, in Vietnam, from hand grenade and rifle shots wounds, he received while engaged in action against the emeney.
Prior to enlisting he was employed at Monarch Mill. He took his trainning at Fort Jackson, S.C. and had been in Vietnam since November 1965, having been in the Army a little over a year. He was a Private in Company C 28th Infantry.
He was a son of Johnny Lankford and the late Frances Jeanette Green Lankford.
Surviving in addition to his father are: two sisters, Mrs. Frances Knox and Mrs. Patricia Barnwell; a brother, Charles Ray Lankford and an uncle, James H. Green.

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THE FINAL INSPECTION:

The soldier stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My Church have you been true?"

The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Because those of us who carry guns,
Can't always be a saint.

I've had to work most Sundays,
And at times my talk was tough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the world is awfully rough.

But, I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep...
Though I worked a lot of overtime,
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place,
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't, I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.

"Step forward now, you soldier,
You've borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in Hell."

~Author Unknown~