The Long Road Home: A Vietnam Veteran's Resilience and Lost Dog Tag

Little does he know, a relic of his family's past—a dog tag lost by his father, Larry Morganti, a United States Air Force Vietnam Veteran—resurfaced after 56 years, rekindling a story of sacrifice and legacy.

In 1967, Larry, a young Airman, was deployed to Vietnam. Amid the chaos and harsh realities of war, he found solace in spending his off time at local orphanages.  These visits offered him a reprieve from the constant tension of war and reminded him of the innocent lives caught in the turmoil.

One fateful day, during a particularly intense mission, Larry lost his dog tags. To him, these dog tags were more than just military identification; they were a symbol of his service, his identity, and a tangible connection to his life back home.  The loss weighed heavily on him, a small but significant piece of himself left behind in a foreign land.

After his year of service in Vietnam, Morganti returned home, carrying the memories of the war and the faces of the children he had met at the orphanages along the way.  When he returned home, he built a life filled with family, friends, and a career, yet the loss of his dog tags always lingered in the back of his mind.  They had become a symbol of unfinished business, a lingering thread from his past. 

“I got a lot of pictures and I think about it,” said Larry. “I’ve had PTSD after all these years, and they still treat me for it today.” 

Decades rolled by, and Mr. Morganti resigned himself to the idea that his dog tags were lost forever.  Then, 56 years after he first set foot in Vietnam, an unexpected letter arrived.  It was from a Swedish man named Kristoffer Hansen.

Hansen found a U.S. Air Force Veteran’s dog tag was up for auction.  He purchased the dog tag and took great care in cleaning and preserving it. He then began the arduous task of returning the dog tag to Mr. Morganti.  Through a long trail of research and assistance from a S.C. art gallery called The Vault, Hansen managed to trace it back to Mr. Morganti and mailed the dog tag to him. 

Holding one of the worn, yet familiar, tag in his hands, Larry felt a wave of emotions.  It was as if a missing piece of his past had finally returned to him, bringing with it a sense of closure he hadn't realized he needed.  The dog tag was a bridge between his past and present, a reminder of the resilience and connections that transcended time and distance.  His dog tag continues to be a testament to the enduring power of memory, kindness, and the unexpected ways in which life can bring closure and peace. 

“In the beginning I thought it was a scam but then the feelings evolved”, said Larry. “I was mainly in disbelief that it survived 56 years in the ground.”

As Michael Morganti walks the halls of the Ralph H. Johnson VA Health Care System, he is constantly reminded of the sacrifices Veterans, like his father, made. “I, along with my entire family, are very proud of my father, his sacrifice, and his service to our country.  I will always carry the principles of courage and determination that he taught me throughout my life.  My father’s dog tag being returned to him has somewhat helped to close a painful chapter in his life as he continues to move towards a brighter tomorrow.”