Special thanks to all who helped win recognition for Vietnam War casualty

I wish to thank all involved in getting long-deserved recognition for my brother, John Richard Holmes. I wish to thank the Bradenton Herald; James Jones, Bradenton Herald reporter; Don Courtney. president of Manatee County Veterans Council, and Lee Washington, veterans service officer.

Special thanks to Carol Whitmore, county commissioner and a personal friend of many years.

Last and most important, I wish to express my deepest heartfelt Thank You! to Christine van Zandt, who was the driving force in bringing this to the fore. Thank you for your interest and wherewithal after all these years. The recognition is long overdue.

I am sure there are other similar situations. Thank you, Chris. All of us who grew up on Anna Maria Island in the 1950s and '60s knew each other. Thanks again!

The adding of his name to Bradenton's Vietnam War Memorial and hopefully to the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C. is long overdue!

Johnny died after being in a coma for 33 1/2 years as a result of wounds suffered during Tet offensive of 1968. He had 30 days left in his tour of duty. Had served 12 of 13 months. Hopefully this may help someone else benefit from this action. Am sure this is not an isolated incident. Thanks again to all involved.

Thanks, Christine, for caring after all these years.

John E. "Jack" Holmes

Sarasota

This story was originally published September 30, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Special thanks to all who helped win recognition for Vietnam War casualty ."