 Kathy Strong with bracelet in 2011 |  James Moreland, photo taken approximately 1966 |
Very few people go to all 50 states by chance. It takes determination and dedication to visit every state whether it is done all at once over many years. One 50 stater, Kathy Strong from Walnut Creek, CA, has taken dedication to a whole other level in an amazing story of loyalty and patriotism. When she was 12 years old, in 1972, she received a special Christmas gift she had asked for, a bracelet engraved with the name of a P.O.W./M.I.A. solider from the Vietnam War. In the early1970's, millions of bracelets were sold in support of the U.S. soldiers who had not yet come home. Kathy put the bracelet on and promised herself that she would not take it off until her soldier, Spc. 5th Class James Moreland returned. As the years passed and he still was not found, she learned more about James Moreland. He was from Bessemer, Alabama, enlisted in 1966, and was assigned to the Green Berets as a paratrooper and medic. James was listed as missing after a battle at Lang Vei in Vietnam in 1968 at the age of 22.
Kathy continued to wear the bracelet everywhere she went including at least 3 cross country trips between the San Fransicsco, CA area and Buffalo, New York. Her family took different routes through many states until the only states she had not visited were states north of New York, Florida and Louisiana. Kathy made trips to those states and finished the 50 state journey in Lousiana in 1987 at the age of 27. She continued to carry the spirit of James Moreland with her by wearing the bracelet on more trips, overseas this time, to over 21 countries.
Kathy Strong connected with the family of James Moreland and has stayed in touch throughout the years. The family notified her in 2011 when they received the call that his remains had been identified. They had been recovered during an excavation of the battle area and returned to the U.S. in 1999 but the DNA identification was not made until 2011. Kathy attended the funeral in Alabama and laid the bracelet on James's uniform as he was laid to rest.
James was listed as missing for 43 years and Kathy wore the bracelet for 38 years. She kept her promise to wear the bracelet until he eventually came home. She also vowed that his name and ultimate sacrifice would never be forgotten so she is now on a mission of placing a memorial brick with his name on it in each state. If you are aware of a memorial opportunity in your state, please let us know.
State Favorite: Home - San Francisco area California. However, Alabama made quite the impression when she attended James Moreland's funeral. Kathy was blown away by the warm welcome and support of the people of Alabama.
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World Favorite: Budapest
More on the Kathy Strong/James Moreland Story:
www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article80720637.html
Kathy Strong photo from Contra Costa Times.
Kathy continued to wear the bracelet everywhere she went including at least 3 cross country trips between the San Fransicsco, CA area and Buffalo, New York. Her family took different routes through many states until the only states she had not visited were states north of New York, Florida and Louisiana. Kathy made trips to those states and finished the 50 state journey in Lousiana in 1987 at the age of 27. She continued to carry the spirit of James Moreland with her by wearing the bracelet on more trips, overseas this time, to over 21 countries.
Kathy Strong connected with the family of James Moreland and has stayed in touch throughout the years. The family notified her in 2011 when they received the call that his remains had been identified. They had been recovered during an excavation of the battle area and returned to the U.S. in 1999 but the DNA identification was not made until 2011. Kathy attended the funeral in Alabama and laid the bracelet on James's uniform as he was laid to rest.
James was listed as missing for 43 years and Kathy wore the bracelet for 38 years. She kept her promise to wear the bracelet until he eventually came home. She also vowed that his name and ultimate sacrifice would never be forgotten so she is now on a mission of placing a memorial brick with his name on it in each state. If you are aware of a memorial opportunity in your state, please let us know.
State Favorite: Home - San Francisco area California. However, Alabama made quite the impression when she attended James Moreland's funeral. Kathy was blown away by the warm welcome and support of the people of Alabama.
.
World Favorite: Budapest
More on the Kathy Strong/James Moreland Story:
www.ledger-enquirer.com/news/local/article80720637.html
Kathy Strong photo from Contra Costa Times.
Let us not forget the remaining 1,619 soldiers that are still
listed as missing from the Vietnam War.
listed as missing from the Vietnam War.
