News-Info-Alerts

Re: Soldier Returns Home

From: POW-MIA InterNetwork

Date: May 26, 2003

"Soldier Returns Home

An Iowa soldier killed 34 years ago in Vietnam is finally laid to rest in his hometown. For the soldier's family and friends in the city of Lost Nation, it's been a very long wait.

Outside, the scene at Sacred Heart Catholic Church resembled a reunion of sorts, with friends and family members reuniting after years apart. That, while a more somber scene played out inside.

Chuck O'Hara was killed during the Vietnam War in a helicopter crash back in 1969. His body was never found, leaving loved ones holding on to a splinter of hope. He was listed as missing in action for 10 years until dental records confirmed Chuck O'Hara was dead.

It took 20 years of red tape and patience, but O'Hara finally came back to Iowa. 300 people came to say goodbye Saturday.

Last November, the O'Hara family buried the remains of their son at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. Today, his memory, represented by dog tags and P.O.W. bracelets, was brought home to his home, in Lost Nation.

O'Hara was a graduate from Lost Nation High School. Several of his old classmates were in attendance Saturday.

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