News-Info-Alerts

Re: Vietnam Chapter Finally Closes

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: March 29, 2003

"Vietnam chapter closes for local man
Remains found of soldier memorialized on Mullins’ POW/MIA bracelet
by Jennifer Burgel

Paul Mullins, recently received notice that the remains of a man he honored by wearing his named on a POW/MIA bracelet were found.

March 14, 2003 - Paul Mullins feels a closeness to Warrant Officer Charles L. Stanley, although the two never met.

Mullins, senior vice commander of Harveysburg VFW Post 1646, said he was proud to own a POW/MIA bracelet in honor of Stanley, a soldier who has been missing in Vietnam since 1969.

"You have something to identify with," Mullins said of his bracelet. "You keep hope up for him and for his family that they can bring him home and they can have some kind of closure."

According to Mullins, veterans organizations such as the VFW and American Legion lobby for the government to travel to Vietnam and retrieve the remains of soldiers who were prisoners of war [POW] or missing in action [MIA]. He said the remains are brought back to the United States so families can properly bury their loved ones.

"We have to accept the thought that they’re not going to be alive, but we’re not going to let them lay over there forever. We’re going to hold the government responsible and hold them to their word to bring them back," Mullins said.

As an officer of the VFW, Mullins receives a monthly bulletin on the progress of finding POWs and MIAs. In the most recent report, Mullins saw a name he recognized — Warrant Officer Charles L. Stanley.

"Nobody I’ve ever talked to has had one where they said, ‘Hey, we found this guy or his body,’" Mullins said.His bracelet.Mullins said hearing of the return of Stanley’s remains brought him closure.

"It cleared up a lot of things for me.

I hate that they found him like that, but at least he’s home now," Mullins said.

With a grandson currently serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Mullins said he pays special attention to the news about the possibility of a U.S.-led war against Iraq. He said he gets frustrated when he sees news footage of people who are protesting the war, because he knows many active duty troops have access to television.

"I think there’s more people behind the soldiers than what’s really standing out there," Mullins said. "It’s not like we’re pushing the guys out there, but we’re rooting for them. We’re hoping that it gets down to where Saddam Hussein leaves and there aren’t any shots fired."

Wilmington News Journal"