THE WALL OF FACES

James's bracelet --I proudly wear everyday -- for the last 7 years. In remembrance of James and the others who sacrified their lives for us.

God speed,James

In the 70s, while attending West High school in Bakersfield, CA, I won a local radio station writing contest, "why I would like to receive a MIA/POW bracelet for a local serviceman and what it would mean to me to wear it." I was chosen as a recipient of a silver MIA bracelet -- the name on the bracelet was James B. Mills.

I wore that bracelet proudly, often wondering about Jim and his family. The bracelet eventually broke in half and I later replaced it with a new ID bracelet with the same engraved information. I have never forgotten Jim, his sacrifice, and the sacrifice of his family. During the crisis our country is now experiencing, where our servicemen and women are once again called to duty, my appreciation of our armed services never waivers. My family and I support these men and women and the sacrifices they make and have made on behalf of our freedoms.

Many years ago when the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall came to Bakersfield, I took my husband and then small children to see it. We searched the wall for Jim’s name and took an etching while I explained to my children how I came to know about him, and what it meant to me to wear an MIA bracelet with Jim’s name on it all those years ago. I want his family to know that I have thought of Jim over the years and often about his family. When Jim's mother passed, I wrote a heartfelt letter to his family and left it for them at the Bakersfield memorial service hoping it would bring comfort knowing that there were people, strangers, who kept his family in their thoughts and prayers, and that Jim's memory was still very much alive.

I hope his family finds comfort in knowing that although it has been many decades since Jim went MIA, people still think of him, remember him, as well as his family. God Bless those who never came home and the families that cherish their memories.

As a young teen I wore your namesake on my wrist and thought of you often. My mother kept the bracelet as a momento for me and returned it back to me when I entered adulthood. It is now once again a part of my life. I visited the Wall and found your name. Tears of mixed emotion flooded me as I was relieved to find YOUR name amongst so many, but yet saddened because you were listed still as an MIA. One day whether by miracles on Earth or by Heavenly meetings, we will meet face to face.
Always know, we will never forget.

I also wore Lt. James Mills' bracelet for many years. I got mine from a teacher and have always remembered his name. I've never seen the wall but I found his name here on the virtual wall and I would like to honor him and say that I appreciate the sacrifice he made for our country. God bless his family and let them know that his life was a gift to all of us who live free because of him.

Although we never met personally, I want to thank you James Burton Mills, for your continued vigilant and faithful service, to this great country of ours!

Your Spirit is alive--and strong, therefore, you shall never be forgotten!

Again, thank you LCDR Mills, for a job well done!

MAYBE ONE DAY SOON....UNTIL THEN....HEAVENLY PEACE MY FRIEND