Women kept memory of pilot alive with jewelry

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The homecoming for a Vietnam War pilot who died more than four decades ago has special meaning for two women who never met him.

Barb Richau of Beulah and Kim Kappes of Moorhead, Minn., were in their teens when they sent away for bracelets bearing the name of a U.S. serviceman missing in action.

They received the name of Air Force Maj. Thomas Beyer of Fargo.

Beyer went missing in Vietnam in 1968. He was declared dead 10 years later but his remains were not found and identified until this year.

The two women told The Forum newspaper they were surprised and happy when they heard Beyer was coming home. Both were hoping to attend his funeral service in Fargo on Saturday afternoon.

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