This week the Press received this message from a Vietnam veteran following his visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. Anyone who can help locate the family can contact him by calling the Press at 925-634-1441, ext. 111.

My name is Robert L. Sirop and I am a 100-percent disabled veteran of two combat tours in Vietnam. On June 12, 2008, I made a visit to the Wall in D.C. to trace names of my fallen comrades, and look for the name of Villa for a friend in New Jersey.

There were only three Villas on the wall and one was a Marine, so we concentrated on the two Army names. It turns out that my N.J. friend was looking for Raul Villa. I had also traced Armando Villa. I also took photos as I pointed to each name traced. I have searched hard, and discovered that Armando was from Brentwood, Calif.

He was only 19 when he was killed in action (July 15, 1967). Without my disturbing the family, I hoped you might be able to locate them or write this story. I would love to send these items to them. I did not know him, even through we were both in the 25th Infantry Division and we were there at the same time.

He is my brother, in any event, and I would like to honor him in this way. Any assistance you can offer would be wonderful. He deserves no less than our full effort in this matter. I deeply thank you for your time.

Robert L. Sirop

Lakeland, Florida