ST. CLOUD, Fla. -- 55 sets of human remains thought to be American soldiers recently made it back to the U.S. from North Korea.
- Paul Heald hopes to identify uncle in war remains
- Relative went missing while fighting in war
One family in St. Cloud is hopeful their relative is among those coming home, if so this would fulfill a generational promise.
Crumpled newspaper clippings and yellow letters fade with time but the memories that come with it, have not. Paul Edward Heald carries the same exact name as his uncle-- A Korean War Veteran who disappeared while fighting. ''From what I am told he [my uncle] is very personable, very well liked, went to Charlotte High School out of Punta Gorda, said Heald. A local boy from southwest Florida.''
Heald has the last letter home that his uncle sent home, nearly 70 years ago. This is what he wrote, ''I guess we will be leaving here in a week or so, we’re going to make a beach landing on Wonsan (North Korea) probably next Monday or Tuesday.'' Heald also has a Western Union telegram that notes his uncle went missing in action on December 1950, he was in a combat unit part of the Army.
Now that 55 sets of remains have returned home, Heald gets emotional just thinking that there is a slight chance he may be able to get some closure. ''The thing I want people to know is that those remains in those boxes, those aren’t just boxes,'' Heald said. ''There’s actually people who are still waiting for that.''
The Defense Accounting Agency for those missing in action took DNA samples of Heald 8 years ago, something that will help as these remains undergo identification procedures. ''I promised to my dad to bring home his remains,'' Heald added. But it feels good to have that hope and it unleashes a bunch of emotions in me for my dad.'' The Korean War is often referred to as the forgotten war, but for Heald it’s far from forgotten.
Heald will be attending a Korean War Conference in Arlington, Virginia this week. It’s all part of his journey, as he continues to look for answers.