LAKE CITY, S.C. (WPDE) — Larry Morganti is a Florence resident and artist whose work is displayed at a vendor shop in Lake City called "The Vault."
He was the crew chief on a C-123 cargo plane during the Vietnam War as part of the 311th Squadron of the Air Force from October 1967 to October 1968.
Oftentimes, Morganti would transport supplies to Marine camps and move wounded and deceased bodies.
Throughout his journey, he'd make several stops, including stops in Da Nang and the airfield. During a rocket attack, Morganti lost his dog tags and thinking little of it, went to his first sergeant for a new pair.
It hadn't really crossed his mind where the originals might be until a Swedish man named Kristoffer Hansen made contact with him.
"It was real surprising. In fact for a second, I didn’t believe it," said Morganti. "It’s such a far-fetched idea to find tags 56 years old and then another two years to bring them to me. And he searched, I’m sure long and hard to find them.
Hansen is a construction worker who found one of the dog tags with a metal detector.
He eventually came across a Facebook post on the The Vault's website that displayed Morganti's work, and that's when he reached out to store manager Debrah Lane.
Lane being cautious of scammers and hackers on social media, was hesitant to reply when an unfamiliar number appeared on her phone asking if she knew Morganti.
Moving with caution she replied "Yes," and her response was met with a lengthy message stating how Hansen had been looking for Morganti for two years.
"I thought to myself, what a wonderful moment that this guy felt the need to return these tags to their original owners, or their owner I should say, and the fact that he cared enough to do it," said Lane. "And the fact that Mr. Larry is still alive is fabulous to me. And I just thought that it was the best story that we as Americans can hear today."
The message also contained personal information that only Morganti or a relative would know, such as when and where he served.
That's when Lane knew there was truth in what Hansen said, leaving her anxious to share the incredible news with Morganti.
"The Vault" hosts monthly "After Business Hours" events where they honor local artists. Lane had chosen Morganti and after introducing him to the crowd, she shared the incredible news bringing chills and tears of joy to all.
Hansen sent the dog tag in late April along with a letter to Morganti thanking him for his service.
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