The Honorable John 0. Marsh

Secretary of the Army

Pentagon

Washington, DC 20301

Dear Jack:

I deeply appreciated the briefing recently provided to me concerning the Army's current efforts on the question of potential interment of remains in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from the Vietnam War.

It is my firm belief that efforts are now legitimately being pursued and as I have repeatedly made clear, the League has no opposition to interment in the Tomb of the Unknown, providing remains interred are not identifiable by the Army's Central Identification Laboratory.

With that in mind, I fully support current efforts and look forward to coordinating language for public statements with members of your staff. I'm sure you understand that this topic is particularly sensitive in view of the need to maintain the integrity and credibility of the CIL and to simultaneously reaffirm the President's commitment to resolution of the POW/MIA issue.

As we have previously discussed, the families have great confidence in CIL's capabilities. That confidence must be preserved; therefore, timing and language will be extremely important in transmitting current intentions to all of the POW/MIA families, veterans organizations and the general public.

I intend to make no statements concerning this issue without full coordination with your staff given the sensitivities involved. It is my understanding that there will also be full reciprocity on any U.S. government statements or releases.

The Honorable John 0. Marsh Page 2

The significance of this project to the POW/MIA families is easily understood one of their own will likely be interred. This event should and will have a healing effect on the nation, but under no circumstances must it be allowed to signal any lessening of effort to account for POW/MIAs or to "finally put the Vietnam War behind." I look forward to a unifying event for all connected with the war in Indochina.

Sincerely,

Ann Mills Griffiths

Executive Director

AMG/la

cc: Mr. Richard Childress

National Security Council