THE WALL OF FACES

DEAR MAJOR BAILEY,
I AM GLAD YOU WERE FOUND, AND IDENTIFIED ON FEBRUARY 19, 1999. WELCOME HOME. THANKS FOR BEING A TACTICAL AIRCRAFT PILOT.
HALLOWEEN IS APPROACHING, AND ALL SAINTS AND ALL SOULS' DAYS - THE DAYS WE HONOR THOSE WHO LEFT US. MAY THE SAINTS AND ANGELS GUIDE YOU. REST IN PEACE.

I've worried about John Sr.'s remains since I met John Jr. in elementary school. For a kid, he was so stoic. My auntie, also our age and our classmate, was the only other kid who had had a parent die by the tender age of 7. I've checked via the internet numerous times to see if Sr.'s remains were ever found, and because I no longer live in MN, missed that this happened in 1999. I am so relieved to find out they were. I hope it has helped John, Molly, David and their mom to find some peace. My twin sons are military and law enforcement, and that's what led me to search one more time to see if JEB Sr. was ever found. So glad he was.

Thank you for your service, sir, and know that your family set the best example, ever, of how to support your promise to defend and protect.

Every Memorial Day, as I have done since 1971 when I was 16, I pause for a moment and reflect upon the POW/MIA bracelet that sits on a shelf in my office. Major John Bailey was "my" POW/MIA...the one whose name was stamped in nickel that was wrapped around my wrist for a very long time. May it always serve as a reminder of the courage these men displayed, not only on the battlefield, but here at home with a restless, sometimes violent, nation. I deeply regret that Maj. Bailey paid the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Words aren't enough to express my gratitude.

The three pictures of Major Bailey and one with his family were provided by his wife, Pat Bailey Campion and were sent in by Herb Reckinger Jr. of Cottage Grove, Minnesota. The family photo was taken on Christmas Day, three weeks before John left for Vietnam, and shows John and Pat with their three children, John Jr., David and Molly. Thank you Pat and Herb!

Major Bailey’s F-105 Thunderchief aircraft crashed in North Vietnam on May 10, 1966 and John was declared dead more than seven years later, in July of 1973, after it was determined that he could not have survived.

John, it is with great humility, pride and honor that Pat, Herb and I post this remembrance for you and upload your photo so that your memory and the sacrifice you made for your country will never be forgotten and to ensure your photo will be displayed on your birthday each and every year when the Education Center is completed. You are not forgotten and remain in the hearts of many after all these years. Thank you John for being who you were and for all you did. We live in freedom to this day thanks to heroes like you that answered the call to duty.

You were one of the brave that answered the call. You honored us by your service and sacrifice. We now honor you each time we stand and sing the words “THE LAND OF THE FREE AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE”. Rest in Peace and Honor John.

John is buried in the Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, USA, Plot: Section B Site 179-1