43 years ago today the airplane then TSgt Clarke was flying in over Laos had a mid-air collision with another USAF airplane. He has been missing ever since.
23 years ago Freddie as I have taken to calling him came into my life. I started wearing the POW/MIA bracelet with his name on it and I have worn it everyday since and I will continue to wear it until either he comes home or I go to my grave. Recently Donna and I went up to Washington, D.C. and while there we took a night time tour of several Washington monuments. One stop we made was at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where we took this picture. While it certainly is not a great picture it's the thought that counts. While Donna used the flash from her iPhone I used mine to capture this image. I consider it an honor to take Freddie with me everywhere I go. He's been to Bermuda, the Bahamas, Israel, to include a stop in Jerusalem where he was placed on the stone where Jesus was prepared for burial, Germany, France and any and every other place I have traveled since I put him on my wrist. While I doubt it will ever happen if any of the friends or family of Freddie happen to read this please know that he has not nor will he ever be forgotten.
I am the son of Fred Clarke I would like to contact youm
ReplyDeleteGerry you can reach me at zackojones at hotmail dot com
DeleteContact me backers
ReplyDeleteI am a young 2d Lt in the Air Force about to start pilot training. I have had Fred on my wrist as well for the last 5 years. Never Forget.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your service and good luck with your pilot training. It's great to hear from someone else that has carried Fred with them. I no longer wear my bracelet. I was contacted by his family and mailed them the bracelet. It seemed like the right thing to do.
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