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LETTERS AND NOTES FROM THOSE
THAT WEAR THE BRACELETS: |
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From: "Jim & Charlotte" <jcopsahl@nrctv.com> Date: Tue, 3 Oct 2000 10:22:34 -0500
I have the POW/MIA bracelet of SGT. Michael
Burns who was lost on 7/31/69. Laos was the country of
loss. I would love to find a update on his status. My prayers are
with him and his family until I know for sure that he is safe here
in the USA or his remains have come home and is resting peacefully
in Heaven. GOD BLESS HIM AND HIS FAMILY, AND THANKS FOR MAKING THIS
THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON WORLD. AND GOD BLESS ALL OUR MILITARY MEN
AND WOMEN.
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From: Barksbt@aol.com Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 21:07:55 EDT Subject: Stephen Armitstead, Lt., lost 3-17-69
To His Family,
I have had his bracelet for over 30 years; I still wear
it. I will continue to wear it until he comes home.
Thank you for loving someone who served so proudly.
Sincerely,
L. Barker
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From: "Danny Nash" <dannyn@newtonjonesagency.com> Date: Wed, 7 Oct 2009 09:27:04 -0400 To
the family of Steven
Morris Hastings
– E5/US Army – 240th Assault Helicopter Co, 214th
Aviation Btn., 12 Aviation Group, I
have had a P.O.W. bracelet with his name since 1970. I am trying to
find anyone in his family. Please email me at this address. Regards, |
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From: "Kelly" <kellytimes4@comcast.net> Date: Thu, 8 Oct 2009 12:02:13 -0400 Back
in 2003, I purchased four POW bracelets and by the time they were
sent to me, these POW’s were found alive. That’s the good
news. I would like to give these bracelets to the soldiers but
don’t know how to find them. They all went missing 3/23/03 and
were found alive 4/13/03. Their names are: David
S. Williams James
J. Riley Edgar
A. Hernandez Joseph
Hudson My
email address is kellytimes4@comcast.net |
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Date: Sun, 11 Oct 2009 23:27:20 -0700 (PDT) From: KATHY JENKS <kj93023@sbcglobal.net>
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Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:33:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Ken Leon <ken@kenleon.com> Subject: MAJ John R. Schumann
I've never attempted to contact Major Schumann's family, but have
worn his bracelet now for about 15 years. I was thinking of
them recently when I had an encounter and I hope they are well.
Two nights ago I went to dinner; nothing fancy, but one of the best
things about working in Kuwait (instead of Iraq or Afghanistan) is
that you can do that, go to dinner at a place other than the mess
hall. In Kuwait, where two-thirds of the population is expatriate,
most of the chain restaurants are staffed by Phillipinos, and the
Johnny Rockets which I have frequented lately near the apartment is
no exception.
Unlike most nights however, the young lady taking my order attempted
to engage me in a discussion about something other than my menu
choice. And she caught me completely unaware.
Looking down slightly, she said, "You are Mr. John?" I was
at a total loss, and she could tell. Then, pointing at my POW
bracelet, she said again, "You are Mr. John?" I was glad
she had pointed, or I might never have caught on. I wondered
to myself who might wear a bracelet with their own name engraved on
it.
The Mr. John she referred to was John Schumann. Major John R.
Schumann, an Infantry Officer who died in captivity in Vietnam in
1965 after being captured near the village he was assigned to.
Multiple eyewitnesses have verified his capture and subsequent
death, but to date he hasn't returned, so he's still on the rolls of
the missing. He is likely never to return.
When he died, he was younger than I am now by 12 years, even though
we hold the same rank. I started wearing the bracelet with his name
when I was a Company Commander, about 15 years ago, and after
wearing the aluminum version out, had this one cast in silver, which
has held up very well over the years. It is as uncomfortable
as it is unattractive- but then it isn't an adornment.
I explained to the young lady that the name of the person on the
bracelet was that of a soldier, an officer who was captured during
the war and who later died. I don't know if she fully
understood my explanation or not. She looked puzzled.
"Was he famous?"
I answered no, he wasn't famous. Just a soldier in a very
difficult war, who was ambushed, captured, and then forced to work
in a labor camp until he became sick and died.
"Was he important?" No, I said, he wasn't overly
important in the grand scheme of things, just a young officer
performing the duties he was assigned to the best of his ability,
like the thousands of other soldiers in that conflict, but neither
famous nor very important.
The puzzled look came back, and then, as if trying to figure out a
way to finish the conversation, she said "I thought sure you
were Mr. John."
No, I said, I'm not Mr. John.
But he's in my thoughts.
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Sent:
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 5:56 PM While
I was cleaning out my late mother-in-law’s apartment, I came across an
MIA/POW bracelet which she had. It has the name of Lt.
Col L.W. Whitford Jr. on it and the date of November 2, 1969.
Even though she never told my husband and me about this, it was obvious
a precious memory for her. Do you have any updated
information about Lt. Col. Whitford? Do you think this is
something that his family would be interested in receiving? |
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From: Lucinda Poahway <lucindap@cameron.edu> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:07:51 -0600 Subject: Family, Friends, Comrades of Lt Richard Clark, USN I wear the bracelet of Lt Richard Clark to
honor him and keep his memory alive. I remember choosing the
bracelet as we were performing in Washington DC at the Smithsonian.
We stole a few moments to go look at some of the landmarks.
When we passed by this small tent, we had just come from the Viet
Nam Memorial. He asked us if we’d like to look and buy one
to remember these men who’d sacrificed so much. In a hurry
we decided yes but was not familiar with that kind of tribute.
And there were so any to choose from. I don’t think it was until
that moment I realized how many men were captive or killed in action
in Viet Nam much less the other world wars. It was astonishing
and overwhelming to these gals from Oklahoma. I told him I
wanted one from the US Navy because my husband had served in the
Navy and he was always so proud of the Navy. He showed me
some, then I said “I’d like the one with the name Richard Clark,
because I know someone back home by that last name. We decided
to go back to the memorial and look for the names of our fallen
heroes. We found Lt. Clark’s but could not locate the
others. I remember thinking to myself what a daunting way to
look at that Memorial, knowing someone’s name, having a
connection. And if it had not been for that one moment in
time, I would not have the same feelings about the losses we had in
Viet Nam or anywhere else in the world. I always lived in my
comfort zone. But for the efforts of men and women who know
the loss, we can never imagine what it was. You have kept
these service men and women in the hearts of America. I am a Kiowa woman. We have high regards
and honors for our warriors. We stand behind them. We
sing war journey songs for them till they return. Even though
Lt Clark is not a Native American, he still lives in the heart of
one who wears his bracelet at our warrior society ceremonial dance.
I do not have to announce it or let everybody know I have a
bracelet, I proudly wear it when I dance the Scalp Dance of victory.
I wear it when our Chieftain songs are sung, this is the greatest
honor for a warrior, and a great warrior he was. Although I do not know Lt Clark, have never
seen a picture. I believe one day I will meet him and will
know who he is. I pray the family of Lt. Clark, that they have
found the comfort of the Lord whose arms their
son/brother/cousin/friend/comrade is in. Ah ho. |
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From: "Mark Coleman" <bosheis@hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:13:10 -0800 Happy
Veterans Day, My name is Mark and I have Col.
Shelton’s POW bracelet, Mark |
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Date: Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:42:46 -0800 (PST) From: Judith Gonzalez <judgonzalez@yahoo.com> Subject: To Lt. Michael Bouchard 12-19-68
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