John Braner

I think I might be too late but if not I'd like to put my name on your list John and thank for your time and effort spent on this.

Steven Corr

Michael W. Davis

John


I suppose its fair now to explain how this came about. I do not want it to be too mussy.

When I read the Missing BA Midi thread I was hoping for a very different outcome as you all were. When it was confirmed it hit me very hard. I thought of BA Midi as friend. I believed he thought of me in the same way.

When I read all the posts on that thread it seemed clear that the forum wanted something done. It wasn't spoken but it was in the air.

It brought memories of my time in Viet Nam and my last days there. We were in Cambodia and I was a "shortimer". My Platoon Sargent and I were close. We had a new Lt. that turned out to be a fine young officer. Both of them worked to get me home a day or two sooner than I was due. When I found out what they had done needless to say I was very grateful and had a talk with the Lt. I left them in high spirits and hitched a ride on a convoy going back to base. I carried orders that would give me priority and allow me to take any avilable transport. About midway through my journey I was handed a hand written note stating that the Lt. had died. It hit me hard and for the first time in Viet Nam I cried. I had seen others die and get hurt but none had caused me to be this upset. I often think about my Lt. and how young he was but what I remember most is his gentleness and friendly manner.  It was a total waste to me that he died.

BA Midi's death brought those memories back and that I did not say anything to the Lt.'s family. With BA Midi I felt a need to inform his family about what we were feeling but I couldn't do it without the consent of the forum.

You all have been magnificent in both your cooperation and your support.

I couldn't have done this without it. 

Touching story.
The letter you've penned certainly helped me find closure.

John thank you for your service. 

Thank you for your replies. I am awaiting a reply from CW. I contacted CW around noon today via a PM.

If by chance CW can not be involved I ask that some one that has an address for the family PM me so I can send it directly. I am hoping for CW to help but we'll see.

John, I imagine you've tried this already, but if not, perhaps the funeral home could give you an address. 

I went ahead and did a people search and found 3 addresses. I am fairly sure the first one is the one we are looking for. However I am looking for a family member's address. Your suggestion is a great one Janet.

If I don't hear from CW I will call the funeral home.

I just heard back from CW. Unfortunately they have no information that would be of any help to us. So tomorrow I will call the funeral home.   

John


I just heard back from CW. Unfortunately they have no information that would be of any help to us. So tomorrow I will call the funeral home.   

Good luck with that.  I wrote an extremely polite email to the funeral home explaining that many folks here were trying to ascertain the identity of the William Arnell for whom they listed as having a Aug. service.  The funeral home did not have the courtesy of replying with even a "sorry, we cannot give out that information".  I do hope you have better success with them.