POW/MIA Report

A Flag, a Remembrance, and a Reunion

By May Jane Kiepe
Past President (2007-2008) American Gold Star Mothers

Little did I know that on that hot, humid, July day a special flag and a Vietnam veteran would become the highlight of my visit to Salina, Kansas.

My husband and I were in Kansas to visit my daughter and her family. I was helping with her garage sale, and we were looking forward to roaming her neighborhood later, seeking any great bargains we could find.

Earlier, before leaving our home town, I had received my issue of the VietNow National Magazine. I always read it from page 1 to the last article. I had brought it with me, and passed the time reading it on the trip. I was especially drawn to the article that featured the POW/MIA flag. It asked that we look for the flag flying around different areas, maybe get a picture of it, and (if possible) interview the person who was flying it so proudly. I remember thinking what a great idea this was. It was a way to make people aware of the significance of the POW/MIA flag.

So off we went, walking and looking. About two blocks into the venture, I spotted a POW/MIA flag flying high in front of a home that had a yard sale. I could hardly believe it. It didn't take me long to get over to that yard. I inquired about the flag, and the lady said that her husband flies the flag every day. When her husband approached me, I introduced myself, and he told me that his name was Mike Harmon, a Vietnam veteran who was proud of his service, and flew this flag for all those who fought, and for his buddies who did not return from the war.

I was so proud to meet him, and told him why I was there asking questions, and then asked if I could take a picture. He agreed, and I told him that if the photo was printed in the magazine, he would receive a copy – and I sent the photo to the magazine as soon as I could. When the photo and my article were printed, I made sure that Mike received a copy.

Time went by, and Mike Harmon kept in touch with my daughter. We returned home to Festus, Missouri, and continued to enjoy the articles written for the veterans in each issue of the magazine.

A year went by, and one day I received a phone call from a gentleman who identified himself as Dan Donaldson. He said that he was a Vietnam veteran living in Florida. He had been looking at some old issues of VietNow, and came across the article and picture of the POW/MIA flag that I had sent in, and recognized the name and person in the photo as his old friend Mike Harmon.

Since my name was on the bottom of the article, he gave me a call. I'll never forget his next words. He said, "I have been looking for my friend for years. We lost contact with each other. I spent so much time with him in Vietnam." He asked if I had Mike's address or phone number. I told him that I could easily get it for him, and it didn't take me long to contact my daughter for the number. She was so excited. I gave the number to Mr. Donaldson, and it was then up to him to do the reuniting.

The next day, I was elated to hear that, indeed, these two Vietnam veterans who had been separated for so many years, now were in contact with each other, and were already planning to meet and spend some time together on the Florida beaches. They did just that, last summer, and are planning another get-together very soon.

A flag, a picture, and a phone call united two old buddies. That made my day and many days afterward, as I tell the story. I was so proud to be just a small part of their lives. God bless them and all our veterans.

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