Meeting with Vietnam War hero 40 years in making

From In My Community.com: Meeting with Vietnam War hero 40 years in making
FORTY years melted away when Currambine woman Judi Shelton and retired US Navy Lieutenant Commander Gordon Paige met for the first time in Arizona recently.

For Judi meeting “Gordy” was the emotional end to a patriotic journey, which began on a street in Buffalo, New York in 1972 when she bought a bracelet engraved with his name from US college students raising money “to bring the boys home” from Vietnam.

The bracelets were a reminder of American servicemen who were PoWs or missing in action – Gordon Paige was shot down over North Vietnam in 1972, was captured by the Vietnamese and returned home in 1973.

After making email contact with Gordon in 2009, Judi vowed to “stop by” in Gilbert, Arizona to meet him while visiting daughter Rebecca in Maine this year.

“It was important to me after everything I had gone through to bring the story to life to finish the journey,” she said of the two-day visit.

“Meeting Gordy was a huge experience, something I will always remember.

“Now he is not just a name on a bracelet but a friend, and that is the best outcome from the journey and why he asked me to keep the bracelet, so we would keep connected.”

Judi said she had worn the silver-plated bracelet for many years and then, as time went on, tucked it away, always wondering about the man behind the name.

The piece travelled with her as she moved within the US and, in 1991, to Perth where she settled with second husband, Australian-born Des.

Two years ago, she finally tracked Gordon down in Arizona, where the retired Navy pilot lives with wife Wendy and their children, and manages an air charter company.

After many telephone calls and emails, they pair finally met a few weeks ago.

“When I walked out of the arrivals area at the airport, Gordy was leaning against a pole holding a sign which said ‘Judi: Welcome to AZ from OZ,’ she said

“I got in about 1pm and spent from then until 10pm talking to him and his family – I have never felt so comfortable with a perfect stranger.”

Judi, who left Gordon with an Australian Army Rising Sun pin and Community cuttings about her search for him, hopes he will come to Perth next year to march with Des in the Anzac Day parade.

“He thinks our Anzac Day is a wonderful thing,” she said.

“He sent us best wishes for last Anzac Day, the day I always wear his bracelet.”