Bakersfield.com

        It was 5 June 1972 my dad was declared MIA in Vietnam. Who knew that a wonderful man bye the name of Fred Walburn would give me such a great gift.  I was sitting ot the computer one day and I came to website where I was able to post information on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall and I did I asked if anybody remembered my dad or who had met my dad while he was on Board the USS ASHTABULA A0-51 anytime from 1970 to june of 1972 there was a couple of years that went by then I saw this posting that said hi you don't know me but we have something in common and that is your dad.  He had told me that in 1972 in front of a store the lady was taking donations for the poppies and she gave this man FRED this red MIA bracelet with my dads name on it and he wore it for a while until this time where he decided to look for information on him and came across that he left his name and his number and said it was up to me if I wanted to call because those are some hard times and I called him and he and I talked for a while and he spoke to my mother even though we have never met this man gave me a piece of my dad and the greatfulness of honoring my father for his courage and life then we exchanged addresses and he said that he wanted to send it to me it is time to give it up to the home where it belongs so he sent it to me. Just to know even strangers in another place have feelings care and concern for those who gave there life I of course like the others that have lost there dad or mother we would love to have them home but this is the service they choose and I am proud for the things he did for me and my kids Thank you always