WOLVERINE CHAPTER

 MIA's body returned home after 32 years

My wife had told me about knowing a couple of guys that were sent to Vietnam.  She also told me about a classmate who lost her fiancé there. He was declared MIA.

 One day we went to the Vietnam Memorial in Monroe, Michigan.  The Monument consists of a Huey up on a pedestal surrounded by a brick walkway.  The bricks have names of soldiers that served in Vietnam.  As we walked around the walkway, my wife again was talking about the guys that we lost in Vietnam.  As we paused on the walkway she looked down and was shocked to see the brick she was standing at with the name of one of the men we were talking about!

 On another day, the wife and I went to a Doctor’s office.  There were three of us in the waiting room.  I noticed the woman kept looking over at the P.O.W. bracelet on my wrist.  My wife leaned over and said to me that she thought she knew that lady.  A few minutes later, the woman asked if that was a P.O.W. bracelet I was wearing. I t told her it was indeed.  She asked me if it was someone from Michigan. I told her no, actually it was from a man from Texas, SSG Charles V. Newton.  She told me how her son, Tom Teran was MIA in Vietnam.  It was the same soldier my wife and I had spoken of and whose brick we had come upon at the memorial.

 Well, after 32 years Tom’s body has returned from Vietnam.  SSG Refugio Thomas Teran was buried on April 19 at Arlington with full military honors.  On May 5^th a memorial was held at the Bova VFW Hall # 9885 In Westland.  Many dignitaries and speakers including Senator Carl Levin attended it as well as numerous Veterans’ organizations.  The Wolverine Chapter’s own SGT Risi served as an Usher and Honor Guard.

 Here in Michigan we have 60 more servicemen still “missing”.  Our prayers go out to the Teran family and the other families that are still waiting for closure. 

 Sen. Carl Levin speaks surrounded by Representatives of Veteran Organization’s

 including the “Wolverine Chapter’s” SGT  Reese (front left).

                     Mr. & Mrs Teran escorted by SGT Risi