POW North Vietnam 01 June 1966 - 12 February 1973
For over 30 years, (since 1967) Brunetta has worn, held, saved the MIA/POW Bracelet for Capt. John Borling or his heirs. [I missed his return, and until I joined the internet, I had no idea of how to search for information on him.]
He returned on 12 February 1973. He continued to serve in the U.S. Air Force until he retired with the rank of Major General. If I ever find him (I've found him!) ... or he finds me (actually, one of his buddies found me!!) through this site ... I will return his bracelet to him (his bracelet has gone home!!!). Until then, here are links with information about him.
United States Air Force Biography
The End to my Story
I'm embarrassed as all get out. This message has been posted forever and a day. The extra "day" is the amount of time between my being found by a friend of John's, my contacting him and his replying back, the return of his bracelet, and today (16 March 2003), when I am FINALLY getting end of my story posted!!! And the part that's most embarrassing is that it's been so long (at least a couple of years now!!) that I've forgotten just when I DID get to return it!!! Correction. That's not the most embarrassing part. The part that's really, truly most embarrassing is that I have, over the past couple of years since the return of John's MIA/POW Bracelet, been contacted by at least three other individuals who offered to put me into contact with John!
I would like to add one thing to my story. As much as I wanted to return John's bracelet to him, it wasn't easy. Not because I perceived it as "mine". I didn't. Not at all! But I was still "tempted" by the awareness that that bracelet was quite possibly valuable. (It was one of the early ones which, or so I've been told, is highly sought after by collectors of Vietnam War memorabilia.) But as an Army Brat, there was no way I could deny John's children something that would have meant the world to me had visa been versa!!!
And I would like to add one more thing ... but this time, to John's story. John is the President and CEO of SOS America. SOS America "is a national, patriotic organization whose members support a strong and enduring American Democracy. We believe that involved and responsible citizens are the key and that all our young men (and women who volunteer) will benefit from serving our nation for one year." For more information, please check out SOS America's Web Site. And if you can, please join!
Last Updated on 09 May 2005 15:50