THE WALL OF FACES

I also wore Thomas Pilkington's bracelet which I acquired in 1972 when I was a freshman in high school. I wore that bracelet until it turned my wrist green and it cracked in half. I still have the pieces in my jewelry box. I received a letter from his sister once after I wrote to her through the Glenview Naval Air Base. I have always thought about him. When the war ended in 1973 and the POWs returned home, I searched for his name and face, praying I would see him rushing to his family. I had many classmates at Maine West High School in Des Plaines whose older brothers were killed in action -- about 17 in all from our community. It's funny how I still remember these young men and think and wonder about them at age 45. In this sense, we help to keep their spirits alive. God bless, Tom and all the rest who perished.

At 10 years old I ordered a MIA/POW bracelet. When I received it, it bore the name of Thomas Pilkington. I wore it for years, always hoping to hear what had happened to him...always praying that somehow he made it home. I finally was forced to stop wearing it when it was about to crack. I still kept it and took it out from time to time, thinking and wondering what had happened. I'm now 43 years old and finally made a trip to the wall on March 3,2002. I wore the bracelet that day, one last time. I hoped and prayed NOT to find his name as it would mean somehow he had come home to his family. I was not prepared for all the emotions that ran through me as I located his name. My heart ached for him and for all those who had loved and known him. In some strange way I felt a loss. Thomas had been with me for 33 years and I realize now in some small way he always will be. I would love to know more about him as a person. If you knew him, feel free to contact me.

I grew up in Morton Grove and I knew Mrs. Pilkington. She was a substitute teacher at Golf School. Her daughter Mary Ann Pilkington was one year ahead of me in school and in a class with my sister Carol Green. I remember when Tom was in a terrible motorcycle accident on Golf Road. Then he went into the service. I think he was in school with my ex-husband Tom Schultz. I remember Mrs. Pilkington was always in the paper as the head of the Nation's MIA Mothers. She never stopped looking for her son. They are together now. I still say prayers for him and hope that he is in heaven with his mother. I hope Mary Ann is doing well.

I also had a POW/MIA bracelet with Thomas H. Pilkington's name on it when I was about 10 years old. I will be turning 40 this year and still think about him. My stepmother always sent me newpaper clippings if she found his name in a paper. I know that I will meet him someday when there is no pain and only the glory of God.

Tom was my neighbor and friend. He and my older brother were very good friends. When I served in Nam 4 years later I knew that he was lost but still hoped for the best. His mother was very active in keeping our government looking for any sign of his being found. He was a good man and is still very much missed. We pray for his soul. GBA