Correspondence Between Senator Bob Dole and a Wife of MIA Serviceman

Item

Other Media: s-con_285_015_002_Redacted_tr.txt

Transcription (Scripto): Read Full Text Only (TXT)
Extent (Dublin Core): 2 Pages
File Name (Dublin Core): s-con_285_015_002
Title (Dublin Core): Correspondence Between Senator Bob Dole and a Wife of MIA Serviceman
Description (Dublin Core): Correspondence between Senator Bob Dole and the wife of a missing in action serviceman.
Date (Dublin Core): 1974-06
Date Created (Dublin Core): 1974-06
Congress (Dublin Core): 93rd (1973-1975)
Topics (Dublin Core): See all items with this value Vietnam War, 1961-1975--Missing in action--United States
Policy Area (Curation): Armed Forces and National Security
Creator (Dublin Core): Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021
Record Type (Dublin Core): correspondence
Rights (Dublin Core): http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/
Language (Dublin Core): eng
Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core): https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/index.php?p=collections/controlcard&id=31&q=
Physical Location (Dublin Core): Collection 002, Box 285, Folder 15
Institution (Dublin Core): Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Archival Collection (Dublin Core): Robert J. Dole Senate Papers-Constituent Relations, 1969-1996
Full Text (Extract Text): This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas
http://dolearchives.ku.edu

Handwritten at top of page: MIA

June 11, 1974

(Redacted)
El Toro, California 92630

Dear Miss (Redacted):
Thank you for your thoughtful letter on the change in status issue. I know the strength of your feelings and realize that many MIA families have reached their own private resolution of the great uncertainty in their lives. Certainly, I do not disagree or find fault with anyone's views.

My only hope in looking into the change of status question is perhaps to help provide some procedurel safeguards in the military reclassification practices. The League of Families' resolution of April 27 emphasized the lack of uniformity between the services in this area, and the point seemed well taken.

My staff is currently researching the various issues and alternatives which might be available for consideration. No definite proposals have yet been drafted, but I am hopeful that a course which accommodates the reasonable concerns of everyone can be shaped.

It was good of you to write, and I appreciate having your views before me as this matter is studied.

Please let me know whenever I can be of assistance.
Sincerely yours,
BOB DOLE
United States Senate

BD/pjt

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This document is from the collections at the Dole Archives, University of Kansas
http://dolearchives.ku.edu

handwritten at top of page: John S.; who is working on this?

(Redacted)
El Toro, California 92630

Senator Robert Dole
United States Senate
Washington, D.C.

Dear Senator Dole:
I don't know if you remember me, but I worked with your office and with you quite often while I served as (redacted) of the Board of the (redacted). My husband, (redacted), USMC, is still carried as Missing in Action.

I have recently heard that you are planning to introduce legislation which would bring to a halt all status changes for our missing men.

Senator Dole, I worked long and hard for our POWs and MTAS as did hundreds of wives and families of these men. I have wrestled with my emotions, worries and fears for seven years and have tried hard to be a tribute to my husband and my country in all the efforts that I undertook. I believe it is right for me now to go on, try to build a new life for myself and my young son and give of myself again in something that is positive and meaningful. I know in my heart that my husband gave his life for his country. He was willing to do that and it is time to allow him the respect of an honorable death.

Please do not prolong the agony of the hundreds of families that have accepted the death of their loved one for the few that fight today to stop all status changes. I have no desire to inflict my feelings on these people, but I also request the same respect.

I hope you will take my plea into consideration, for I believe I speak for a number of MIA families, when you progress with the legislation dealing with this matter.

My thanks to you for your great help to us in the past. I will be anxious to hear from you concerning this matter.

Most sincerely,
(Redacted)

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