Wearing a POW bracelet in the 1970s was often not much more than a fashion statement. Lots of people, including Janet Hall, sported one just to be in vogue.

Then, as was the case for so many others, the name on the bracelet became a part of Hall's life. Over time, she began to think of the POW and his family. The wondering turned into concern for him and for them. Before long, she was connected in a way she hadn't expected.

On May 13, 1970 during the Vietnam War, Eric J. Huberth, 26, was flying a mission on an F4D when his aircraft was shot down. He was classified as Missing In Action. He was the oldest child and only son of the Huberth family. His parents and four younger sisters grieved for him, said one of those sisters, Lorraine Larsen of Thousand Oaks. He was never found, and though many years have gone by, the grief remains.

Larsen's father passed away. Her older sister Nancy also died. Her 83-year-old mother, Jeanne, now lives in Arizona. Together with her sisters Diane Dadrea and Suzanne Huberth, also residents of Thousand Oaks, Larsen had found comfort in a tree that was planted in their brother's honor.

When that tree no longer flourished, what remained was incorporated into a work of art on display outside the Civic Arts Plaza. Artist Gulhis Celayir Monezis was commissioned in 1999 to create that sculpture, which was dedicated on Jan. 20, 2001, what would have been her brother's 56th birthday.

"It meant a lot to us to have that memorial there to honor him. It was a place for us to go," said Larsen. She said how surreal it has all been with her brother gone, there never being a body, a funeral or any closure. The memorial was one place where they could find some solace.

But in May 2006 Larsen noticed the sculpture had been vandalized. Three of the seven pillars were missing, leaving three metal stakes protruding from the concrete base where gnarled oak pillars once stood.

Since the vandalism, it appears as if nothing has been done to restore the sculpture, even though the city of Thousand Oaks told her at the time the city was committed to bringing the sculpture back to its original design form.

"The artist is searching for the perfect pieces of wood to use to restore it," Councilmember Dennis Gillette said.

Larsen said she understands that, but still feels saddened instead of comforted whenever she goes by the vandalized memorial.

But something positive has resulted from a newspaper article about the vandalized memorial.

Hall contacted the Thousand Oaks Acorn after she put Capt. Huberth's name into a search engine on the Internet and the story of the vandalism came up. From that story the Iowa resident learned where Lorraine Larsen now resides. When she contacted the paper, Hall asked if Larsen would like to have the bracelet she's worn and cherished over the years.

"Beginning in 1972 I wore the bracelet each day as a tribute to Capt. Huberth," Hall wrote. "Now, thanks to the powers of the Internet, perhaps Capt. Huberth's family can take some small comfort in the knowledge that I have thought of their son and brother and prayed for them through all these years."

Larsen said she was deeply touched by Hall's offer. She recalled how the National League of Families sold POW bracelets and understands how those who wore them became connected to those they were honoring.

"It is very sweet of her to want to give us the bracelet that I know means so much to her," Larsen said.