NORWICH – California native Carl Virden had no idea the amount of interest the dog tag he discovered via metal detector in the California desert would generate, nor the many experiences he had in common with the Chenango County soldier named on the tag.
“This has been very interesting and I am happy to have learned about the family of Richard Hamilton,” said Virden. “Like him, I am a carpenter, a veteran of war, and an uncle to some great nieces and nephews.”
Virden, a veteran of the Vietnam War, reported that he had been contacted by a number of Hamilton’s relatives, including The Evening Sun’s own Linda Green, who, ironically, is the president of the Chenango County Historical Society.
Nephew Russell McIntyre, Green’s brother, reported that Hamilton’s brother Joe had also served in World War II, in the glider infantry, and added that the brothers were scrappers and loved to tussle.
Nieces and nephews recalled that Hamilton, who had no children of his own, was more commonly referred to as Uncle Dick, and Nancy Hamilton, a niece, commented on what a great family man he was.
“Out of all the uncles, he was probably the most beloved, because of all the attention he gave us,” said Green. “He was dearly loved.”
Virden stated that he had mailed the tag back to Norwich, a journey of almost 3,000 miles, so that it could be returned to Hamilton’s closest living relative, sister Nita McIntyre, who recently celebrated her eighty-seventh birthday and currently resides at the Doris L. Patrick Retirement facility.
“It has been fulfilling to speak with Mr. Hamilton’s relatives and to learn that he did survive the war,” said Virden. “I only wish I had had the knowledge to locate Mr. Richard W. Hamilton before he passed.”