Thief makes off with veteran's medals

BONNERS FERRY — A thief or thieves broke into an ill Boundary County veteran’s home during Memorial Day weekend and made off with 75 of his Navy medals.

Although the culprits cleared the garage of fishing poles and chainsaws, Mel Branch’s family just wants his medals returned.

“It would mean a lot to Mel to have his medals returned, no questions asked,” said Anne Branch.

She said early Sunday morning someone broke into a storage garage near her Naples’ home and took a blue tub of medals belonging to her husband.

Branch, who is under the care of Hospice, earned the medals while serving as a competitive shooter for the Navy.

He was with the Navy for 22 years, including during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

The person or persons who took the medals are asked to return them to the Branch home.