THE WALL OF FACES

HI my name is Taeana Carter. I am in seventh grade .I know a lot of people think you were a wonderful and amazing veteran. So I just want to say thanks for all your hard work. Happy holidays to you and all your family

Sometime in the 1970's I received my POW bracelet with this man's name on it. I have prayed for him, and resolution for his family. I honor your spirit sir, and the service you gave to our country. May God bless you.

Dear Captain Melvin Earl Ladewig, sir

As an American, I would like to thank you for your service and for your sacrifice made on behalf of our wonderful country. The youth of today could gain much by learning of heroes such as yourself, men and women whose courage and heart can never be questioned.

May God allow you to read this, and may He allow me to someday shake your hand when I get to Heaven to personally thank you. May he also allow my father to find you and shake your hand now to say thank you; for America, and for those who love you.

With respect, and the best salute a civilian can muster for you, Sir

Curt Carter

I never knew him, and I feel that is a sorrowful statement made by someone who lives in a world that is certainly less without him in it. I bought a bracelet with Capt. Ladewig's name on it when I was barely in high school (class of 2002 for a point of reference) because I have always appreciated the sacrifice the men and women in uniform so bravely make for people like me. Capt. Ladewig has been with me through good times and bad...he even went with me to prom (though my mother assured me gently that the stainless steel bracelet on my arm looked rather odd with the delicate pearl jewelry I wore that night).

I never take my bracelet off. The letters, once made vibrantly visible with thick black lacquer, are now readable only if you look closely. But whenever things get rough, whenever I think I can't fight any further, I look down at my left wrist and remember that I carry with me the name of someone who undoubtedly faced something so much greater, and it gives me the strength I need to push through. Capt. Ladewig is a tangible reminder that I'm never alone in my struggles, and that I will never have the right to give up...not when such noble souls gave everything they had so that I might have something worth fighting for.

I would like to thank the friends and family of Capt. Ladewig. You had to give up someone who you loved so much, and I am so sorry there is a reason for his name to be on one of these bracelets. All I can offer is that he is not forgotten, and he has meant a great deal to me for many years.

I wore the bracelet of Capt. Melvin Ladewig all through the Vietnam war and have kept it all these years since in my jewelry box. I prayed for his safety and hoped he would come home. I have thought of his family many times in the years since. My brother also served 2 tours in Vietnam and was wounded but came home to continue to serve his country. I have 5 children and 2 son-in-laws who have served during Iraq and Afghanistan. My oldest daughter had similar metal bracelets made with their names so we would daily pray for them, and I refuse to take mine off until all our military is home from Afghanistan. War is such a difficult thing. I thank God for the safety of my children and am still saddened that Capt. Ladewig never came home.