I received something like 3,000 of the bracelets while recuperating at Portsmouth Naval Hospital after repatriation. My wife had been chairman of the National League of Families and every bank, TV station and many public organizations - including schools - in Virginia were selling my POW bracelet to help the League's activities.

Lainie's accompanying note stood out from the pack. She was a high school student whose note was very well-written - so I remembered it. I told her to keep the bracelet as a souvenir.

Last year, 27 years later, she sent the bracelet back along with a copy of the note I'd written. She started an email conversation to determine what had become of "her" POW. Shortly after that she asked for the bracelet back since "it meant a lot." I sent it back but we still kept (keep) corresponding via e-mail.

Following the showing of "Return With Honor" on PBS last November, Lainie needle-pointed (or cross-stitched) my ending statement "There's no such thing as a bad day when there's a doorknob on the inside" and framed it. It's beautiful.

In my opinion, the best thing about this is that it's gratifying to know there are nice people out there who remember and care. Including the "little high school student" who sent the note in 1973.

Paul