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Dec 30, 2008 10:04 pm US/Central
Hurst Man Hopes For Return Of Stolen WWII Dog Tags
HURST (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Burglars on the hunt for Christmas loot broke into a Hurst man's pickup truck last week and stole the one thing he treasured most - a World War II reminder of his grandfather.
"I really didn't think anybody would take them. What would somebody want with dog tags?" Landon Short questioned.
Landon lost his grandfather, Royce C. Short, to pancreatic cancer a dozen years ago. Last week, he also lost his only tangible connection to his loved one.
Landon was just 15-years-old when he his grandfather died. "He served our country. That's just not right. That's the only memento I have of him," he said sadly.
Now at 27-years-old, Landon said he has lost the cherished connection of having his grandfather's World War II dog tags. "It was just draped around the rear view mirror," he explained.
The dog tags were meant to weather the life of a soldier and also help if that serviceperson didn't make it back home. "They [the dog tags] actually have a groove in them where they stick them in their teeth so they can identify the body."
Landon said he felt safe leaving the tags in his pickup. "Kind of like he'd be there with me, keep me from having a wreck or killed in an auto crash."
Royce C. Short lived a full life after World War II. Landon was his only grandson and the now grown man says his grandfather filled a void in his life. "I would say my grandfather is my mentor, well... my hero," Landon said proudly. "That's what I would say. My hero."
Burglars broke into Landon's pickup last week. The thieves not only got away with the dog tags, but also took an iPod and a CD player. "I could've cared less. They could've taken the truck for all I care. [But] that's something that just can't be replaced," Landon said of the stolen items.
Things aren't going well for Landon and his family and he says he can't afford to offer a reward. "My mom's on disability. I'm trying to find work. Times are troubled now."
Landon can only hope someone will give the dog tags back. He says he'll wait and see what happens and if the tags are returned he won't put them back in his truck. "I'd probably put them in a locked safe, so nothing could ever happen to them again."
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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