Question:

A good friend's stone reads Vietnam. He was born in late 56 and served in Germany after 74 . Should ERA be added or Vietnam removed?

Jim's Reply:

Since I don't have any clue of your friend's history of honorable service to our country, and neither do you, I'd vote to leave well enough alone.

I say we don't have any clue of his service because he's gone and can't tell the story. For all we know, a clandestine journey to the RVN may have been made at some point and VA marked his stone properly. I've worked with any number of veterans over the years who went to Vietnam off the record for all kinds of reasons.

No matter what the back story is, no purpose is served by you attempting to modify a record. Allow him to rest in peace and go your own way.