Vietnam veteran's journey of remembrance and closure, 56 years in the making
ELKINS, W. VA. - In the summer of 1968, during the turbulent times of the Vietnam War, two young soldiers — Dean Pace of Muncie, Indiana (now living in Mansfield), and David Shiflett of Montrose, West Virginia — crossed paths on the battlefield and forged a friendship that would transcend time and circumstances. This is their remarkable story, one of friendship, loss, and, ultimately, closure.
Dean Pace and David Shiflett were serving in the U.S. Army in Pleiku, South Vietnam, when their paths converged. With only two weeks left in Vietnam, Dean turned to David with a request. He asked to borrow $50, promising to repay the debt before they both returned home. Little did they know that their lives were about to take a tragic turn.
Soon after lending the $50, David was killed in action, leaving Dean heartbroken. Dean returned to the United States two weeks later, burdened not only by the loss of a friend but also by an unresolved debt.
Dean Pace never forgot the $50 debt to fallen colleague
For over half a century, Dean never forgot David and the $50 debt he had yet to repay. Then, in 2019, Dean, who since moved to Mansfield, Ohio, was invited to join an Honor Flight trip from Columbus to Washington, D.C. During these trips, veterans are paired with guardians, and this is how Dean met Vickie Hall.
As they traveled together, Dean shared the story of his friend from West Virginia who had been killed in action. However, he didn't have complete information about David, not even his hometown or the correct spelling of his last name. Vickie, determined to help, embarked on a quest to find this missing link in Dean's life. She assured him that one day they would make the journey.
The year 2023 finally saw Dean and Vickie setting out on a journey of remembrance. They traveled to Montrose, West Virginia, to uncover the past that had haunted Dean for so many years. Arriving in Elkins, they checked into their rooms and headed towards Montrose, embarking on a mission to piece together the puzzle of David Shiflett's life.
Their journey began with the discovery of a bridge dedicated to David, offering a clue to his hometown. Neighbors at the bridge suggested visiting a nearby cemetery, which could hold the key to their search. As the day grew darker, they decided to return the following morning.
Friday the 13th proved to be their lucky day. Vickie called the Mountain State Memorial Cemetery office, where Mae Lilly provided them with the precise location of David's grave. Dean, who hadn't seen his friend since 1969, stood on the verge of closure. After visiting the grave, they expressed their gratitude to Mae Lilly, who also provided valuable contact information for David's family.
During their visit to the cemetery, they met individuals who had known David's brothers, Eddie and Steve Shiflett. These individuals suggested a visit to the Railroad Depot might yield more information. They followed the advice and found a volunteer at the Depot's Visitor Center who knew the Shiflett brothers. The pieces of the puzzle were falling into place.
Phone call from David's brother
As they walked toward the VFW, Vickie noticed the local newspaper office and suggested they ask for help. The newspaper staff directed them to the reporters, who suggested they visit the Peter Pan Dry Cleaners, owned by Jake Roberts. There, they met Jake, who was ready and willing to assist. Just as they were about to delve further into their quest, Vickie's phone rang, and it was David's brother, Eddie, returning her earlier call.
Eddie agreed to meet them at the cleaners, and the moment of closure drew nearer. When he walked in, Dean and Vickie felt an overwhelming sense of peace. Tears, hugs and smiles filled the room as Dean explained why he had embarked on this emotional journey — to pay off a 56-year-old debt.
With a sense of profound significance, Dean handed Eddie the $50 he had borrowed so many years ago. Eddie promised to tape the bill onto David's picture in his home. What was once a lingering debt had become a symbol of enduring friendship and closure.
Dean's journey of remembrance and reconciliation occurred on a Friday the 13th, but for him, it was a day to remember. It took 24 hours in Elkins, West Virginia, to close a door that had been left ajar for 56 years.
Dean and Vickie cherished their time in Elkins, expressing their gratitude to the many residents who helped them accomplish what they had come to do. Their journey was a testament to the power of friendship, determination, and the kindness of strangers.
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: Mansfield soldier ends a 56-year journey to repay an unresolved debt
