Dear Senator Helms,

I was so encouraged to hear that you have called for the country and it's leaders to return to the standards of our founding fathers.
The wisdom of God must guide our leaders in all they do.

Many of us silently pray daily for that wisdom to come on all our leaders.
God bless you.

I am a retired Marine with 30 years of service. I am residing in your great state in retirement and follow your career closely. I believe you hold the interest of our country and our people first when making your decisions. That is why I am contacting you.

I have recently become interested in a World Wide Web campaign called Operation "Just Cause." In conjunction with this cause my wife and I have adopted an MIA. He is identified in official records as:

Name: John Garrett Gardner
Rank/Branch: O3/US Marine Corps
Unit: HHM 165, Marine Air Group 36
Date of Birth: 20 July 1940
Home City of Record: Hot Springs NC
Loss Date: 03 June 1967
Country of Loss: Laos
Loss Coordinates: 161914N 1064049E (XD795050)
Status (in 1973): Missing In Action
Category: 2
Aircraft: CH46A

It is my understand that the United States government, without proof, declared John and all other missing in action personnel as deceased. John is now listed in the Viet Nam War Memorial archives as follows:

--- General / Personal ---

Last name: GARDNER
First name: JOHN GARRETT
Home of Record (official): HOT SPRINGS
State (official): NC
Date of Birth: Sunday, July 28, 1940
Sex: Male
Race: Caucasian
Marital Status: Married

--- Military ---

Branch: Marine Corps
Rank: CPT
Serial Number: 240647422
Component: Reserve
Pay grade: O3
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 7562

--- Action ---

Start of Tour: Saturday, June 3, 1967
Date of Casualty: Saturday, June 3, 1967
Age at time of loss: 26
Casualty type: (A3) Hostile, died while missing
Reason: Air loss - Crashed on land (Crew member - Helicopter)
Country: Laos
Province: Unknown/Not Reported
The Wall: Panel 21E - Row 045

I cannot believe the country I served will let this issue rest at that.
Whether alive or dead our Heros deserve to be returned to their native soil.

Specifically, I am interested in what you personally are doing now and what you might do in the future to see that our American Heros are brought back to the land that they fought for. And most of all. What happened to John?

Please visit my memorial page to John at:

http://www.nternet.net/~btjanes/mia.html

I am well aware of answers from our government officials to the members of Operation "Just Cause" and expect more from you.

You can see a list of government officials that have signed on to "Do the right thing" at:

http://pages.prodigy.com/powforum/right.htm

I would also like to direct you to the pages of Theodore W. Guy, Col. USAF (RET), POW 68-73,
Captured in Laos and SRO
and his responds to Senator Ashcroft on this matter.

http://pages.prodigy.com/powforum/tgreplys.htm

I am disheartened most of all be the FORM LETTERS that the White House is sending in response to queries about our Heros. You can view this letter at several sites of our Ring.
They are all the same.

Please take the time to look at the above pages and become familiar with our operation. I don't think we are going away and we grow stronger every day.

I am anxiously awaiting a substantive reply to my questions about what you intend to do and WHAT HAPPENED TO JOHN.

Thank you for your assistance and may God Bless,