As happenstance would have it, I punched "Kurt McDonald" into my computer and much to my surprise the Virtual Wall came up on my screen. Almost with trepidation, I followed the trail to the information about Col. Kurt McDonald.

In the latter part of 1971 while I was on the staff of a VA hospital in California, I wrote the POW/MIA group and asked to be given the bracelet of an officer. I was both honored and privileged to have been given the copper bracelet with the engraving "Maj. Kurt McDonald 12-31-64." My initial bracelet was lost while water skiing off the coast of my native Massachusetts in the summer of 1973; but I managed to procure its replacement almost immediately and still treasure it immensely and always will.

All too many years ago, I had the privilege to have been put in contact with Kurt's mother and have subsequently talked with his sister Karren a number of years ago.

Kurt's bracelet is held in a very safe and secure place in a jewelry box in my house; but I always wear it on my right wrist for services each Memorial Day and Veteran's Day and shall now wear it on Kurt's birthday each August nineteenth. Throughout the year and more than occasionally, I place it on my wrist for a few moments while I think of Kurt and how he fought and served to keep us free defending his beloved country before returning it to its special place of sanctuary. Additionally, I wear it continually each Christmas season from Christmas Eve Day to New Year's Day, particularly remembering Kurt on December thirty-first.

I then return the bracelet to its safe harbor, as I will pass it to my two sons who shall wear it in the same manner as I. The elder Thomas wearing it to honor Kurt in odd numbered years as he was born in 1963 and the younger David, Jr., in even years as he was born in 1968. This tradition shall be then be passed on to their sons and subsequently to their son's sons in perpetuity. In this way, Kurt shall never be forgotten and shall be remembered for all eternity by my decendants.

Additionally, although I had never before seen a picture of Kurt, I have had the picture of Kurt and his medals from the Virtual Wall made into a photograph, framed and now have it hanging in a very special place in my office.

Although we who are not his immediate family can neither experience nor truly feel the loss that his immediate family does, as members of his psychologically extended family we can and do sincerely empathize with those very precious and most sacred feelings.

Please understand also, unequivocally and without any reservation, that Kurt has always been, still is and shall always be on my mind and shall ever and always be in my heart and thus shall continue through the lineage of my sons.

In the movie Saving Private Ryan, the most moving and poignant words of President Abraham Lincoln were spoken in testimony to Kurt and those other fallen heroes that we should never forget and must always remember. In his letter of November 21, 1864, to Mrs. Bixby of Boston, which stated ever so eloquently "...I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom."

Most sincerely and respectfully,

Dr. David L. McGowan