20 Jan 1999 REMEMBERED by Joni R. Terrio sterrib@datasys.net

 

23 Sep 2004 To Joni R. Terrio, I'm Patty Murphy. I'm 47 years old. I live in New Jersey. Back in the early 70's I wore Thomas Duckett's MIA/POW bracelet for about 5 years. Two years ago I took my children to Washington, D.C. for a family vacation. We went to the to Vietnam Wall with all the names on it. I told my children about my bracelet and how I still think of the young man on the bracelet. We started at the beginning of the wall and we all tried to find his name. We walked past a few panels and I said "Forget it, we'll never find his name. There are so many names". I walked past a few more panels. Then all of a sudden something told me to look up. I looked up and there it was - "Thomas A. Duckett". His name popped out at me!!! I couldn't believe it!!! My kids couldn't believe it!!! This is a true story. I think he told me to look up! I joked with my children that Thomas Duckett probably said "Look up now, stupid!!". Joni, I don't know who you are or what your relationship was to Thomas Duckett but I thought you would like to know that you're not alone and there is someone in New Jersey who has not forgotten "Thomas A. Duckett"! Take care and peace, Patty Patricia Murphy murphy7507733@yahoo.com

 

21 Aug 2005 I, too, wore Thomas Duckett's POW/MIA bracelet and still have it. I just visited the Traveling Wall at Tulalip, Washington and took a rubbing of his name. He is not forgotten. Meg Taylor Meg Taylor E-mail address is not available.

 

14 Sep 2005 Thanks for your remembrances of my first cousin. Tommy - as we called him - A blond headed All American boy. Tommy was actually from Ringgold, Georgia. He was an only child. From his cousin, Ross Allen rossnme1@cox.net

 

17 Apr 2006 The American Legion Department of Georgia, citizens of Catoosa County, Ringgold, Georgan and veteran's groups honored Major Duckett April 13, 2006 through the dedication of the I-75 Exit 348 Interchange. The Interchange is now the Major Thomas A. Duckett Interchange. A granite marker and a tree of hope were also dedicated. The program included an Air Force fly-over, the Ringgold High School Band, the Ringgold and Ridgeland JROTC, Vietnam Veteran's Honor Guard, General Ronald Griffith (Ret), the entire Catoosa County Legislative Delegation, most local officials and many citizens. Pete Wheeler, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, was the Master of Ceremonies and Harold Linnenkohl, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Transportation, read the Resolution at the Dedication. Georgia properly honored a Hero - missing but not forgotten. Elizabeth A. Miller lizmilla@bellsouth.net

 

02 Jul 2006 I am from Ringgold, Georgia - Thomas' hometown. I was a cadet in the JROTC program and presided over the ceremony when our JROTC building was dedicated in his name. I have worn his remembrance band since 1987 and barely a day goes by that I don't acknowledge him. Though I no longer live in Georgia, I try to research any news of him online. I recently found the article that in April 2006 an interchange on Interstate 75 near Ringgold was named for Thomas. It is an amazing feeling to see others that either know him or also wear his memory on their body. I have never removed his bracelet, nor do I plan to until his remains are returned. Nikki McNew nmcnew@tampabay.rr.com

 

20 Jul 2006 I also had an MIA bracelet with Thomas Duckett's name on it. Mine was an early one because the only information on it was Rank, Name, and Date of MIA - Lt Thomas Duckett 12-12-70 Over the years of taking it on and off, due to safety reasons, it broke in half. In 1976 I became a Medic in the USAF. When I went on a year short tour to Sicily I took it with me. I am now retired and still think of this man I never knew. I plan on making my own small wood memorial and mounting the bracelet on it. He will never be forgotten! Ricky Thompson 1940 S. 100 E., Clearfield, Ut 84015 rickandsharon@netscape.com

 

12 Dec 2006 I also have one of Thomas Duckett's POW/MIA bracelets from the 70's which I wore until it cracked. It's still intact, barely. Mine reads: CAPT. THOMAS DUCKETT 12-12-70 I am humbled by his service and touched by your remembrances on this, the 36th anniversary of his disappearance. He will not be forgotten. Damon L. Scofield dscofield1@houston.rr.com

 

A Note from The Virtual Wall On the night of 12/13 Dec 1970 two aircraft were downed in the vicinity of Tchepone, Laos, west of the DMZ. One was a B-57G, tail number 53-3931, from the 13th Bomb Squadron at Ubon RTAFB; the other was an O-2A, tail number 67-21428, from the 21st TASS at Nakon Phanom RTAFB. While intercepted NVA radio communications indicated that the two aircraft were shot down, there was some evidence that they were involved in a mid-air collision instead. The B-57G crewmen, LtCol P. R. Pitt and LtCol E. Buschette, were picked up on the morning of the 13th, but although the wreckage of the O-2A was located the two crewmen were not: 1stLt Thomas A. Duckett, La Grange, GA, pilot Major Owen G. Skinner, Lima, OH, observer The two were carried as Missing in Action, and were promoted while in that status, until 1979, when the Secretary of the Air Force approved Presumptive Findings of Death for them - Major Duckett on 27 Jul 1979 and Col Skinner on 20 Nov 1979.

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