December 5, 2025
A fallen soldier lives forever in all 50 states due to a connection between. Sgt. James Moreland, who served and died as a Green Beret in the Vietnam War, and a loyal, unwavering traveler, All Fifty Club member and patriot, Kathy Strong from Walnut Creek, California.
This connection began in 1972 when Kathy was 12 years old, when she received a special Christmas gift she had asked for, a bracelet engraved with the name of a POW/MIA soldier from the Vietnam War. In the early 1970s, thousands of bracelets were sold in support of the U.S. soldiers who had not yet come home. Kathy put the bracelet on and promised herself that she would not take it off until her soldier, Sgt. 1st Class James Moreland, returned. After the Vietnam War ended in 1975, she reached out to Voices in Vital America, who sold the bracelets, for information about Sgt. Moreland and learned he was still listed as MIA. She found out that he was from Bessemer, Alabama, enlisted in 1966, and was assigned to the Green Berets as a paratrooper and combat medic.
Kathy kept her vow to wear the bracelet. It went with her on at least 3 cross-country trips between San Francisco, CA, and Buffalo, NY. Her family took different routes each time, taking them through different states. She made trips to other states and, in 1987 at the age of 27, completed her 50-state journey in Louisiana - all while wearing the bracelet in honor of Sgt. James Moreland on her wrist.
Kathy Strong connected with James Moreland's family to learn more about him and to share the story of the bracelet. Years passed, and Kathy continued to wear the bracelet for 38 years, keeping her promise to wear it until he eventually came home. That time came……. In 2010, Kathy was notified that James was finally coming home. His remains had been identified using DNA technology, and confirmed that he died during a battle at Lang Vei in Vietnam in 1968 at the age of 22. Kathy attended the funeral in Alabama, removed the bracelet from her arm, and laid it on James's uniform as he was laid to rest. Kathy has said that Alabama is one of her favorite states, as she was deeply touched by the welcome and support of the Alabama people when she traveled there for the funeral.
Kathy continued to ensure James Moreland’s name and ultimate sacrifice are never forgotten by setting a mission to sponsor a memorial brick with his name in every state. Over the years, she has added a brick in state after state. At a Veteran’s Day Ceremony in November 2026, the 50th brick was dedicated in Linthicum, Maryland, and James was inducted into the Alabama Military Hall of Honor in Marion, Alabama.
In this testament to unwavering loyalty and love, Sgt. James Moreland will not be forgotten, nor will Kathy Strong for her unique and sentimental journey to every state in the USA.