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War and Remembrance

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While reading today’s “A Reminder of Vietnam . . .,” I was reminded of “my guy,” Capt. John Powell.

I went to Palm Springs a lot during the ‘60s. One evening, while partying at a night spot there, I sat with two of my girlfriends next to a table full of “jarheads.” They eventually gathered the courage to ask us to dance. We danced and laughed for two days straight. Their last weekend before ‘Nam. No sex. Just girls and guys, laughing before they cried.

During one slow dance with one of these guys, he asked me the name on my bracelet. I remember throwing my head back and, saluting and reciting the name of my guy. This young man took me into his arms and kissed me. He said I was the first girl wearing a bracelet who didn’t have to look at the bracelet to remember the name.

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I wore that bracelet for years. Until April, 1984. I was at the Pentagon and there was a cabinet containing a plaque with the names of recently discovered MIAs and POWs. John’s name was there. His remains had been returned. I cried for John that day as I placed his bracelet and my loyal vigil at the foot of the Vietnam memorial.

Thanks for reminding me of John.

SUSAN WARD

Agoura

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