Xavier was the big brother I never had. When I was a geeky 7 year old kid, he used to come over to swim and hang out at our house. He was friends with my older sisters, Jackie Balding (‘64) and Judie Balding (‘66). He always took the time to include me in conversations while I was sort of invisible to the rest of the older kids. I remember attending his wedding to Margie, and I took piano lessons from his mom, Mrs Arvizu. He was such a good person. His memories have and continue to be a blessing.

You were the best of the best! Although you have been gone 50 years, you will always be remembered by your family and friends. I count myself lucky to have known you as my teammate, friend, and mentor. I will never forget you my friend.

It has been many years since Xavier passed in Nam. Tonight I am feeling very nostalgic about my classmates of 50 years ago...hard to believe . Some I still miss desperately. I even pulled out my old yearbooks tonight and  read all the comments we write to one another. Xavier got me a job at a chicken delivery place...but I promptly got fired because I couldn't find the addresses! So sad to know he had little chance to celebrate this life in a better way, even though we all know by now that life is very hard..but good. 

I saw Jim Cypert's tribute to Xavier today (2/7/14) and was saddened to read of the death of a fun, funny friend who always had such a great air of joy about him. I have wondered how many of our classmates were lost to Vietnam--so sorry that Xavier was one of them. I realize he's been gone for many years, but today I'm feeling the loss.