In the early 70s, I bought this metal POW bracelet for $2.50. I put it on my wrist and never took it off. Engraved upon it was the name, Lt Charles Stackhouse. On April 25, 1967, Lt Stackhouse (US Navy) was flying over North Vietnam when he was shot down; he parachuted from his A4C and was captured by the North Vietnamese - he was 27. Lt Stackhouse was a stranger to me - he was only a name on a bracelet - but, that didn’t stop me from wondering every day where he was. I vowed to wear this bracelet until he returned, and I often wondered if I would be wearing it forever (I hoped not). When the Vietnam War ended, every day the newspaper would list the names of POWs who had survived their captivity, those who did not, and those who were MIA. On Jan 31, 1973, Lt Cmdr Charles Stackhouse’s name appeared on the “ALIVE” list. On Mar 4, 1973, I got up at 4am and watched on TV as Lt Cmdr Stackhouse stepped off the plane that brought him home; he had been freed after 6 years in captivity. Whatever my feelings were about that war no longer existed; all I remember was feeling overcome with emotion at watching “my” POW walking down the steps of that plane to freedom. It was a good day, and the day that I finally took off this bracelet. Few material things matter to me, but this bracelet is one possession that is priceless.
Today, we honor ALL those who have selflessly served in the United States Military.
