LETTERS AND NOTES
FROM
THOSE
THAT WEAR THE BRACELETS:
To families, friends, and former prisoners of war....
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I have the bracelet of SPEC 5 JOSEPH PUGGI I WOULD LOVE TO CONNECT WITH THE FAMILY RUTH |
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I have the bracelet of MSGT Merlyn L. Paulson of Fargo, North Dakota. Born on June 19, 1936. His remains were returned on March 1, 1986 from Laos.
I had worn this bracelet for many years when I was a
teenager. I had tried to research the name several times, years ago
but to no avail. I found the box the other day that was filled
with my families memorabilia and his bracelet. I found his
information today and found this site and thought I'd reach out. I
would love to get it to his family.
Thank you for your service MSGT Paulson. ❤
Gail Mathes - abgg@aol.com
G.Starr Mathes - gstarrgazer@ gmail.com
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I am retired Air National Guard and while recently cleaning my room. I came across my military items and I found that I still have the bracelet of your beloved family member. Capt Benjamin F Danielson.
I found that his remains were found a d recovered.
I am so sorry for your loss! I wish to return the
bracelet to you and yours where it belongs.
Please let me know if you wish to have it returned to
you.
God Bless,
Michelle
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I have just come
across your website and would like to leave a love letter for the
Family of (Major) LTCol Roscoe H. Fobair
I have had the MIA-POW bracelet of LtCol Fobair since
college in 1971. I can't say why it has taken me this long to reach
out to your family but I can tell you he has been a part of my life
since the day I put his bracelet on. Tucked in a box with other
bracelets I would get it out and think there must be a way to see
what has happened to him, but I never did. Now haunted by my
indecision and with the help of the internet I found POW-MIA Network
website and a way to reach out to you. I am glad to see your family
has had closure since 2001. I can only hope other families will be
as fortunate. This bracelet has been a part of my life for over 50
years but I will gladly give it to any member of your family with my
love and admiration. I can be reached at jean69wolfe@comcast.net.
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Remembering
SFC Robert F. Scherdin today, on his 76th
birthday. I just want Robert's family and friends to
know that there are others of us out here who wait
with them. I've worn Robert's bracelet for almost 30
years and I pray for his return. God Bless you guys
in your vigil and bring you peace.
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To family and friends of David Marshall Winters, I
would like to tell you that I have had David's POW/MIA
bracelet since early 1970. His Name and memory
have not been forgotten by myself or my family.
My God bless you all !
L.Fife, US Navy ~ Thank you
Patricia K. Cumming, Lori, and Kevin S.for all your hard work
helping
my family and all families of those who gave all. Jan 23,2023 |
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To the Family of Captain Robert Kent 12-20-68
I wore Captain Robert Kent’s POW/MIA bracelet for
many years while in 6th/7th Grade - High School. I have recently
come across this page and would like to return the bracelet to his
family. I have read about his situation and believe his status is
‘not found’, for that I am truly sorry. As a young and rather naive
girl, wearing his bracelet propelled me into learning about the
Vietnam War and more importantly having extreme gratitude and
appreciation for Captain Robert Kent and the ultimate sacrifice he
gave to US and his Country.
Over the years, I had placed the bracelet in a box
along with other memorabilia for safe keeping. It was not until I
was in Washington DC with my 8th grade daughter who was attending a
school trip that I found myself standing in front of the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial. After 25 years, it took just a moment for me to
remember the name Captain Robert Kent and the years I spent wearing
his bracelet in hopes of his return. Although I had obviously never
known him nor his family, it was a tearful and heartfelt moment as I
touched his name and said a prayer for him and his family. That
night I went back to my hotel room in Washington, DC and found a
website/wall in which to leave a message. I left this short story
of what had occurred earlier that day in order to share my
experience family members, friends or other bracelet wearers of
Captain Robert Kent. It was not until today, nearly 30 years later
that I researched how to return POW/MIA bracelets to their families.
My deepest apologies for the delay.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your
service, Captain Robert Kent and thank you to his family who also
gave the ultimate selfless sacrifice.
Much Love,
Denise Obray
fb message: Denise Schob Obray, Coeur dAlene, ID
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To whom it may concern:
I have two POW bracelets. I don't know if the
families would like to have them but if they would and you have
anyway to contact them please ask them to reach out to me by
email.
One belongs to
Capt. Chuck Finney, missing 3/17/69. His remains were
returned 8/14/85.
The second is Capt.
James Jefferson, missing 5/12/67. His remains were
identified 6/5/2000.
I can be reached at: centuryphyllis@gmail.com. Thank you for any help you can give.
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My dear friend Barbara Vertar of
Chambersburg, PA passed away last year. She was 89 years
old.
I am going through many of her things left behind. I
discovered a MIA bracelet. The soldier name is
Col. Paul W. Bannon. USAF
12 Jul 69 Laos.
It is very worn but legible. I now will carry on with the bracelet hoping for Paul’s return someday to his family.
He will never be forgotten.
Constance M. Cullison
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To the family of Lt. Charles
Morley . . .
I visited the National Navy Aviation Museum at NAS Pensacola recently and viewed a tribute to Viet Nam POWs and MIAs which displayed among other items, a collection of POW MIA bracelets. The tribute deeply touched me because I remembered wearing one of the bracelets. Upon my return home to Prattville, Alabama , I found my bracelet tucked away in an old chest.If there is any living family of this serviceman, please know that many years ago as a young girl I prayed everyday for Lt. Morley's safe return. My prayers are with your family. |
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I am currently 65 years old and have been in possession of the bracelet of Lt. Colonel Robert E. Bush for over 55 years. I recently came across this site and learned the Lt. Col. was shot down in a F105 Thunderbird on 3-24-66. His remains were returned on 12-15-88 and we was positively identified at that time. Who knows whether he died on the fateful day or was held prisoner and later passed. As he was born in 1928, one can assume he had left a family behind. Thank you for your service and paying the ultimate price of war. I have the bracelet and am willing to return it to the family in the event they read this posting. I can be contacted at gahassler@yahoo.com. Deepest prayers and sympathy to the family. GH |
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I have a bracelet for
Barton Creed, 3-13-71. It is still
in good shape as it sits on my desk. |
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My name is Debirah Rivera Balcarcel, I retired from the
Air Force in 2001. I came upon his bracelet when Deborah Rivera Balcarcel, Ret USAF Dbalca3@gmail.com |
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MAJ. CARL B. MITCHELL USAF
I received the bracelet for major Carl B.
Mitchell, United States Air Force in 1985 from my VFW that I
attended at the time. I still have a bracelet and it can be seen
everyday. After 37 years I still hope I can someday to return
his bracelet. I know this is the hope of many. I would like to
thank Major Carl Mitchell for his service to our country. I've
always said that saying the words thank you would never be
enough. It just seems so small for something as large as their
service. I only hope that any friends or family he may have,
still waiting for him to come home, knows that someone else says
a prayer for their comfort and understanding. God bless each
and everyone of our servicemen and women and our service
animals.
Sharon Lovins |
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Hi, My name is Leisa and I have a POW bracelet that my Mom gave me when I was around the age of 12 or 13. I still have the bracelet and would like to return it to the family of: LT. COL. CHARLIE BROWN DAVIS, JR. He was a navigator aboard an AC-130 gunship with the USAF when on April 22, 1970 was downed by anti-aircraft fire. His remains were ID’d and returned in September 1995. I have been honored to have this bracelet in the ‘70’s and worn it for many years.
You can reach me at: God bless your family Leisa |
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Good evening, I have held the bracelet of POW/MIA Lt Col. Henry P Brauner since I was a young teenager. I recently searched his name and found that his remains were recovered in 2006. My father (recently deceased) came home from Vietnam and I wanted to return the bracelet To Lt. Col Brauner’s family. Letting them know he was never forgotten. I do not know where to start or what I can do to get this accomplished. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Lou Wendelstedt 352-398-7430 Spring Hill, FL |
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In high school we took a trip to Washington DC. That
is where I purchased my bracelet for
USAF Captain George Duncan MacDonald. I choose that
bracelet because I was born just 2 days after he was listed as
missing and we both lived in IL. Fast forward to current day...I'm
going through paperwork after we moved. I found the case synopsis
paper for my bracelet. It appears his remains have been found in
2017. If any of his family would like this bracelet I am happy to
forward it to them; otherwise I will proudly hang on to it.
Love and regards
Julie Silverstein
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8/5/2022 10:34 AM, Kitty Finn wrote:
Dear Loveletters,
I was in the 6th grade when my Aunt obtained POW
bracelets for my sister and me. We wore them proudly.
One day, my home economics teacher posted a listing of
the deceased. I was heartbroken that my soldier,
M/SGT. JAMES SALLEY JR.
3-31-71 was on that list. I continue to treasure the
bracelet - the soldier; his history; his dedication to
his country; and his family - that it represented.... I
can be reached at
cathleen_finn@yahoo.com.
Thank you,
Kitty Finn
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7/21/2022 8:59 PM, Susan Mourgas wrote:
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In the 70’s I purchased a POW bracelet with the name Major William Brooks 4/22/70. I wore it proudly for many years and wondered what had happened to him. I just came across this site and discovered that he died on a mission. I’m so saddened to hear this. I wish i could have thanked him for his service. If any of his family would like his bracelet, I’d be honored to send it. Contact me at cghesler57@gmail.com |
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In going through an old jewelry box I
discovered my POW bracket I purchased in high school. Please reach out to me at
chrisbostwick@ca.rr.com I would be honored to send to any of his relatives.
Chris Bostwick |
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Hello.
My name is Charlene Tripler.
In the late 70s I was in high school and wore a Memorial
bracelet with the name, Capt. Dale
Richardson-5-2-70 on it. He was a POW.
I found his name on the "remains returned" 2015 list. I was
sorry he did not survive.
I am wondering if there is a way for you to find out if there
are surviving family members that might like to have the
bracelet, so that I can send it to them?
Thank you.
Charlene Tripler
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Family of Lt. Com. Walter O.
Estes,
Since high school I’ve had the honor of keeping a POW
bracelet inscribed “Lt Walter Estes Jr 11-19-67”. According to the
virtualwall.org website, his remains were returned to US soil in
1977.
Now that I’ve retired and will be moving soon, I’m
hoping there's family that would like to have it returned to them.
If so, please let me know.
Sandra Frank
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Dearest Family of LCDR William Forman, I was honored to wear my POW bracelet with William’s name on it for many years. I only took it off when it broke. In true childlike fashion at the time, I tried hard to keep it on with scotch tape. Eventually I had to accept that I couldn’t wear it without danger of losing it. It has been kept safe with my childhood treasures all these years. I’ve often thought of him and wondered what happened. I was born in 1958 so I was maybe 9 or 10 when my parents agreed to letting my sister and I support the POW bracelet movement.
I want to thank you for his service. My family supported the efforts of our military always. Although I do not have immediate family members who served, we have dear friends who have shared some of their experiences in the Vietnam War and other wars. We live in a community that housed an Air Force base prior to 1995 and have met many Veterans.
I’m so sorry that William never came back to his earthly home, but I do believe he is in Heaven with Jesus and all others who served our country so faithfully.
May God Bless your family with much happiness and good health. I pray that you and your family will read this letter and that it will bring you joy, not sadness. If you would like to have William’s bracelet, I would be honored to send it to you. If not, I will always treasure it and someday share it with my oldest granddaughter as a way to remind her of the importance of supporting all those who serve our country and God.
Respectfully yours, Sylvia Nelson
My email address is: |
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I was going through my parents papers, both of whom have recently passed away and found my mom’s POW/MIA bracelet for Major Martin Steen and dozens of articles about POW/MIA. The bracelet is broken in half, so I ordered a new one to begin wearing. I remember my mom wearing this when I was young and want to continue to keep this man’s memory alive. From the research I have done, it appears he is still missing. Thoughts are with all of you. |
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I have a POW/MIA bracelet with the inscription of Maj. Ralph Balcom 5-15-66 on it. I acquired it in about 1975 while I was in high school. I recently found it & want to return it to the Balcom family. Please contact me if you would like to have it. Thank you. Debbie Shea sheadebbit@gmail.com |
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I have a POW bracelet that I bought in high school. I would like to get it back to the family of my soldier--Thomas Riggs (6/11/67). I would also like to know if he made it home.
In His Service,
Bekki Brown
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I was cleaning out my jewelry box and came across my POW bracelet from high school.. it was a big thing back then The 70’s. The bracelet I have has the name Caption Dennis Wilkinson on it 5/10/1972. I would love to find the family of this individual and return it to them if possible, Thanks a concerned citizen:) |
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Hello, As a high school student in
Columbus Ohio in the early 1970s I was proud to wear 2 POW/MIA
bracelets, one being for Major Wendell Keller MIA 3.1.1969. My
bracelet broke in half after several years of constant wear. I
placed it in my jewelry box and looked at it several times over the
decades since but decided today was the day to look on line to see
what happened to Major Keller. I was very saddened to read of his
last mission and also to read of the heartache his family no doubt
suffered for decades as a result of his death and subsequent
handling of his case. Nothing I can say here would change any of
that but I did want to let you know that Major Keller was thought of
often in the years directly after that fateful day in 1969 and his
story will forever stay in my mind and heart. Mary Shover Price Westerville OH |
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Hello,
I have the bracelet of CW 02 Thomas Okerlund (1-3-71)
This is an old VIVA band and has been in possession of my family
since the 70's.
I rediscovered it in my aunt's keepsakes a few years ago and
have worn it since.
I pass by police stations and post offices and see the pow-mia
flag, but wearing this
bracelet lets me put a name and face to the memory, and I do this to respect Mr Okerlund, and the other MIA. |
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Date: Sun, 14 Feb 2021
Once again this
year I would like to remember
Robert F.
Scherdin who would
be celebrating his 74th birthday today. To his family and
Friends, please be comforted that
there are those of us out here who share your vigil and pray for news. God Bless you all and give you comfort, and God Bless Robert and keep him safe. |
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Have in my possession POW bracelet of S/SGT W.K, Colwell, MIA Vietnam 12/25/1965 Found amongst my late wifes possesions Would like to get it back to relatives. |
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