I
was supremely honored by a phone call this morning from Mike
Linnington, who told me about the identification of our missing
brother-in-arms, Al Boyer. He told me about his and Jack Kull's visit
to Orlando yesterday to meet with Al's sister Judi, who has attended
SOAR and is well-known to several of us.
Mr
Linnington was highly impressed with the casualty assistance Major from
SOCOM and SGM from 5th SFG and was most complimentary of our community.
Jack
Kull has almost become a member of RT Asp and the Boyer family through
amazing dedication to this case over many years of devoted service.
I
spoke with Judi this morning and she authorized me to share her
communication to her friends and loved ones with our entire community.
It is attached below. Rick, perhaps just her letter could go on the
website?
Al's
interment with full military honors in Arlington is being scheduled.
They are trying mightily to get it done on Wed, Jun 22, so many who of
us who are attending the Natl League of POW/MIA Families can attend.
Once the date is set, we should publish via website and blast email to
assure maximum SOA and SOG attendance to honor this great recon man.
Once again, our deepest respect and admiration to the great DPAA team that is keeping up the long, hard fight on our behalf.
VR, Mike
Sent from my iPad
Sent from my iPad
******************************************************************************************
Dear Friends
It
is with a grateful heart that I am writing to share news about my
brother Alan. On March 7, the eve of what would have been Alan’s 70th birthday, the Army (Mr. Michael Mee) called with news: Remains were identified by DNA as Alan’s.
On
March 16, 2 Army Special Forces soldiers, the Chief of Casualty
operations Center for the Army (Mr. Mee) & 2 other Defense
Department personnel (one was Gen. (Ret) Michael Linnington, Director
Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), and the other Jack Kull, who
while working for DPAA became a dear family friend)-5 total-- came to
our home to give me the official report. The remains had been given by 3
Lao Nationals (remains traders) to an activist in Laos who turned them
in. The DNA match to the samples Mom & I gave many years ago were
truly amazing. The lab said it is the strongest match they have seen
yet! I received a thick report with many more details. I was also
presented with Alan’s medals –including the Silver Star (3rd
highest military decoration awarded) & Purple Heart. Interment will
be at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors at a later
date.
Thank you for your many years of support & prayers for Alan & my beloved Mom & Dad. Now we all know.
I extend my heartfelt thanks for everyone who
helped in this endeavor over the years-DPAA, The National League of
POW/MIA families & Ann Mills-Griffiths & family members; the
analysts, investigators, excavation teams, the JPAC team in Laos who
greeted Dorothy & me when we “dropped in” on them in Vientiane, Laos
in 2001; Johnie Webb & Dr. Tom Holland (who also graciously showed
us around when we also showed up at the lab in Hawaii) Jack Kull for
his friendship & support , Linda & Darrell Gilgan & members
of VietNow. I could go on and on. I’m sure I’ve missed some important
names & agencies but I thank EVERYONE involved in the accounting effort over the years.
I
will continue to do all I can to support the League of Families in
their priority of achieving their longstanding objective --the fullest
possible accounting-1)the missing man is returned alive ; or 2)his
remains recovered & identified ; or 3) convincing evidence as to why
neither is possible, in which case he will remain forever as
unrecovered & all information that relates or may relate will be
provided to the next-of-kin who will then have the certainty of knowing
the US Government did its very best to bring him home to his family
& our Nation. Please remember all the POW/MIAs who still remain unaccounted for. Their families still wait.
Sincerely, Judi Boyer Bouchard
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