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This story is one that will stay with me forever. Please indulge me as I write this remarkable true story about a man in Australia, a "dog tag", and one of our alumni.
This past Monday, Sept. 13th, I received an email via the contact form on this website which you can read below: "This is probably a bit strange but…I am an Australian and was in Vietnam on leave late last year with my family. I purchased a “dog tag” from a street vendor..VG Arkie who I have since found was killed in March 1967. I have tracked down his military listing, and a memorial at Parker High and your tribute to him on another website (VVMF). I would like to return this tag to his family if that is possible. Do you have any other information on Vallance as I feel as if I want to know more about him. I have attached a photo of the tag. Can you help?" My immediate reaction was to find out if this man was who he said he was. I used tools on the internet to research this man named Geoff O'Donnell. Deep down I was praying he wouldn't turn out to be some crackpot because if he was, he was a real sick one. But instead I found an Angel. Once I felt assured that he was genuine, I sent a reply back asking more questions of him than he of me. We've since exchanged numerous emails discussing the dog tag and how were we going to get it to Vallance's family. I told Mr. O'Donnell I knew Vallance's sister and was scheduled to drive to Parker where she works to give her the news. I made that journey to Parker on Monday. So many things were rushing through my head like, "how will I begin the conversation", and "how will she take the news." Vallance has been gone for 43 years and his birthday would have been this month. I could understand why she would be so overwhelmed by the news. I was glad I had taken with me copies of the photos Geoff sent me. One was a display table showing dog tags and the other photo was the dog tag of her brother. We spoke through tears, happy tears...about the man who found it in himself to purchase that dog tag and find the owners family. Geoff found that dog tag one year ago and he didn't stop until he finally found this website. I know you will be reading this Geoff so on behalf of all the alumni members here, we can't thank you enough for your compassion and sincerest efforts to make sure that Vallance's finally journey home would soon become a reality. God Bless you my friend! Geoff sent the tag yesterday. From what we know it will arrive in about a *weeks time. * (the tag arrived safely on Fri. Sept 24th) Lonnie Alcaida-North PHS Alumni - 1970 Website Admin. *There will be a special presentation of the dog tag to Vallance's sister promptly at 2:30pm on Fri. Sept. 22nd during the Homecoming Tea. VALLANCE GALEN ARKIE
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*comments for Geoff are welcomed and can be posted under the "Guest Book" page.
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