NORWICH – California native Carl Virden had no idea the amount of interest the dog tag he discovered via metal detector in the California desert would generate, nor the many experiences he had in common with the Chenango County soldier named on the tag.

“This has been very interesting and I am happy to have learned about the family of Richard Hamilton,” said Virden. “Like him, I am a carpenter, a veteran of war, and an uncle to some great nieces and nephews.”

Virden, a veteran of the Vietnam War, reported that he had been contacted by a number of Hamilton’s relatives, including The Evening Sun’s own Linda Green, who, ironically, is the president of the Chenango County Historical Society.