News-Info-Alerts

Re: Bracelet, Story Linked Years Later

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Date: November 19, 2002

"Bracelet, MIA story linked years later

Associated Press

     CHARLOTTE-Susan Detwiler was a fifth-grader in Alabama in 1969 when she reached into a box of silver POW/MIA bracelets and pulled one out.

     On the bracelet was inscribed the name "Capt. Ronald Briggs," and underneath "2-6-69," the date Briggs was reported missing in action in South Vietnam.

     Detwiler was told not to get rid of the bracelet until she knew what happened to Briggs. She wore it every day through high school and has kept it with her jewelry ever since.

     After years of wondering and checking for his name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, the Charlotte woman finally learned what had happened to him.

     She read in a recent newspaper story that Briggs' remains had been recovered with those of two other soldiers and that he was to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Veteran's Day.

     "After all these years, it is so overwhelming to finally know," said Detwiler, who moved to Charlotte five years ago with her husband, John, and their children. "I'm sad, but also relieved that he died instantly and didn't suffer," she said.

     "I was so young and Captain Briggs and that bracelet were my connection to knowing someone over in that war and knowing I needed to pray for him and his family," Detwiler said.

     Briggs, the oldest of four brothers, grew up in Philadelphia. He'd spent two years in the Army, and was 24 in his first tour in Vietnam when he and five others disappeared during an emergency resupply mission on Feb. 6, 1969.

     Briggs' younger brother, Walter Briggs, said the telegram informing the family that Briggs was MIA was delivered by an Army officer early on a Saturday. He remembers his father taking the message, reading it, and then with a stern face retreating to his bedroom upstairs.

     Walter Briggs, who was 16 when his brother died, made the trip to Arlington for the service with his brothers and other relatives.

     Over the years, a few people mailed bracelets with Ron's name to the family.

     His parents died not knowing what happened to their son. Their bracelets were buried with them.

     As a young girl, Detwiler prayed nightly for Briggs. When she lived in Washington, D.C., she'd stop at the Vietnam wall and check for Briggs' name.

     Two years ago, when her daughter's fifth-grade class made a trip to Washington, Detwiler and Jennifer visited the wall again to see if Briggs' name had been added.

     By then, his remains had been found during a search mission in 1993.

     Walter Briggs, who is now 50, said the Army collected DNA from him four years ago. The family was notified about a year ago that Capt. Briggs' bones and teeth had been positively identified.

     "It was hard thinking about his parents losing a son," Detwiler said. "It breaks my heart to think about having to bury him ... I hope they find some relief, as I have."

     Walter Briggs said the family has gotten some solace.

     "We have known for a year," he said, adding that the ceremony has brought "a bit of closure."

     He plans to share Detwiler's story with the rest of his family.

     "It makes me feel so happy to know that someone would feel that way about my brother and the other soldiers who sacrificed their lives," Briggs said.

     "I am deeply moved just hearing about that woman in your city doing what she did for so long. God bless her."