THE WALL OF FACES

I received a Sgt Carl Palen bracelt when I was 16 and wore it until the end of the war. It was a memory of all that had happened and a thank it for all those who gave their lives so that we can have our freedom

I just received your bracket from my mother. God bless you and thank you for your ultimate sacrifice for our country

I was given an MIA bracelet with Carl Palen's name on it in 1973, when I was 13. It said not to take it off until the person was found. As unfortunately, he was never found, I never took the bracelet off for 22 years, by which time I was living in England and managed to track down his mother. She sent me a lovely letter and photo and in exchange, I sent her the bracelet

In 1975(?) I purchased a bracelet that had Carl's name on it. I asked my dad if we could plant a tree in his honor and my dad gladly said yes. We picked out a tall skinny oak tree and planted it across the cul-de-sac from my house. My dad watered it until it was well established. A year later we moved and I wondered if the tree had survived. In 2015, my 7 year old grandson and I were driving across country and we drove to the old neighborhood to check it out. Sure enough, there was a beautiful large tree standing tall in remembrance. My 7 year old grandson snapped a picture which I have submitted to the picture file. This tree stands on Cranberry Court on the cul-de-sac in Florissant, MO. You can see it on Google Earth. Please know that Carl and his family are not forgotten, and a woman from North Carolina, who used to live in Missouri still remembers.

In 1976, I was told of a way to honor those that were missing/prisoners of war. It was a bracelet with a a soldiers name on it. I was honored and privileged to wear Carl Palen's POW/MIA Bracelet. I wore that bracelet everyday and in 2006, while working, the bracelet broke in half. I was unable to locate the bracelet after hours of searching. For the longest time, I felt as though I let Carl down. Sometimes, even now, I feel some guilt. Hopefully, Carl Palen will be located and return home.