Tribute To Missing Pilot On Veterans Day

At a event Nov. 2 honoring veterans, Judith A. Carlson of unincorporated Maine Township, near Niles and Des Plaines, paid tribute to her father, a veteran.

Earlier:

During the event, which honored those who participated in the Veterans History Project, she also honored the late Capt. Warren Anderson, who died in the course of his service.

Following is Carlson's email to the Anderson family, and their reply:

I got your e-mail address from the pownetwork web site (from the e-mail you sent them). I am writing to let you know that I am the proud owner of the copper MIA bracelet in honor of your father. I received it the very first year the bracelets were available. When I'm not wearing it I have it hanging on the lamp by my computer and I take note of it every day. Your father is a hero, but I'm sure you know that.

Bless you!

Judith A. Carlson 

____________________________________________________________________

Hello Judith,

Thank you for your email message and for the many years you have spent paying respects to my Father – an American soldier you never knew. I wanted to send you a photo of him so that you may have a face to associate with the bracelet. He was born in 1933 on a rural farm in southern Michigan and dreamed of being a pilot as a child. He has two surviving brothers and the “Andy’s Acres” farm is still in the Anderson family. Recently, during a renovation, my uncle found Warren’s childhood lunch box which was a tin box with airplanes printed all over it. He had scratched his name on the side. He fulfilled his dream and died doing what he loved…flying.

The other hero in the family was our mother. She raised four children through the turmoil of the war and his uncertain fate without showing us kids one flinching moment of despair. She was strong as a rock. It was thought that both my dad and James Hale Tucker could have bailed out so there was many years of her holding out hope that he may return. But it was not to be and she knew it long before anyone else. Thanks again for the note and it was lucky I received it as I have recently changed my email address.

Al the best to you,

Gregg S. Anderson

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