ROYAL OAK (WWJ) - On this Veteran's Day, a Metro Detroit American Legion is looking for the family members of a late World War II veteran in hopes of reuniting them with his dog tags that were recently unearthed in California.
Senior Vice Commander Ed Burkhardt with the American Legion in Royal Oak told WWJ's Charlie Langton that he was sent the long-lost dog tags by another veteran after they were found at a military training ground used during WWII on the other side of the country -- and now they hope to return the items to their proper place with the soldier's family.
According to Langton, the dog tags are inscribed with the name J.H. Seloom, with the "J" standing for John, a World War II veteran who died in 2000.
"I felt flabbergasted actually.," Burkhart told Langton after he received news that the tags were discovered. "It's not every day you get a relic like that sent to an American Legion post in this fashion. But it was shocking to get the call and hen to have the envelope show up the same day."
Burkhardt said Seloom served as a private at the time the tags were issued and he was last known to have lived at a house on Spencer Street in Ferndale.
Burkhardt strongly believes the tags deserve to rest within the Seloom family and has called the journey to reunite them as "very emotional."
"My dad is passed on and I'm pretty sure Mr. Seloom has passed on also, but if it's the child or the grandchild of Mr. Seloom, I'm sure they would appreciate greatly getting it back," Burkhardt said.
Anyone with any information about Pvt. John H. Seloom has been asked to call Burkhardt at the American Legion Frank Wendland Post #253, Royal Oak post at 248-546-0490 or the WWJ Newsroom at 248-945-9950.