THE WALL OF FACES

Rest in peace with the warriors.

If I should die, and leave you here awhile, be not like others, sore undone, who keep long vigils by the silent dust, and weep...for MY sake, turn again to life, and smile...Nerving thy heart, and trembling hand to do something to comfort other hearts than thine...Complete these dear, unfinished tasks of mine...and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Being the proud son of a Vietnam vet that came home, our whole family wore the bracelets. Mine was for Capt. Stephen P. Hanson. After dad retired to Florida in '79 and later as I became an adult I adopted 2 more Pow/Mia's through the Operation Just Cause webring. Being an Air Force brat I picked that branch, and since Florida became home that state. Years later I came up with the idea of a tattoo on my left bicep of a barbed wire band with 3 dog tags hanging from it, one for each Pow-Mia that I adopted. Where ever you are brother, be at peace as you are remembered.

As an 18 year old kid I got to wear the bracelet with Henry's name on it for the first time. I am now 57 and have never had it off my wrist. It is a daily reminder of how lucky I am and how lucky we Americans are to have people like Henry to protect us.

When I was a freshman in college, I went to the campus AF-ROTC building to get a POW-MIA bracelet. After paying the small fee, I reached into a large box and drew out a bracelet at random. When I put the cuff-like bracelet on my arm, I read something linking this unknown person and myself...He was reported MIA on my 16th birthday (3/26/70.) For years I have continued to search for info on him. Last info I discovered reported him as confirmed KIA. We never met, but I will never forget him. His family remains in my prayers.