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On or about this date in 1974, a young American traveler — or perhaps intelligence agent — named Charles Dean and his Australian friend Neal Sharman are believed to have been executed in Laos by the Pathet Lao guerrillas. The 23-year-old Dean was in the midst of a protracted post-university globetrotting when he was apprehended with his friend traveling down the Mekong River in the war-torn country. They were held in captivity for three months — long enough for the family to learn they were detained, and Dean’s father to fly to Laos to negotiate in vain for his release....

A SALUTE TO ALL: TODAY I FOUND A E-MAIL ADDRESS FOR HOWARD DEAN AND ALSO READ HIS PRESS RELEASE OF NOV 18 RE: REPATRIATION OF HIS BROTHER'S REMAINS. I SENT THE GOV THE MESSAGE COPIED BELOW. IF YOU ARE OF LIKE MIND, FEEL FREE TO USE ALL OR ANY PART TO CONVEY YOUR FEELINGS TO HIM. BEST REGARDS, ED BROWNE MAJOR GENERAL EDWARD M. BROWNE UNITED STATES ARMY, RETIRED 4337 COLLINGTREE DRIVE ROCKLEDGE, FL 32955 TEL-FAX: 321-637-8948 E-MAIL: ebapache6@aol.com December 2, 2003 THIS MESSAGE IS FOR GOVERNOR HOWARD DEAN. PLEASE PASS IT ON TO HIM. Governor Dean: Reportedly, your brother...

EMBROKE, N.H., Dec. 22 — Howard Dean came under criticism from an Iowa newspaper last weekend for an answer to a questionnaire in which he implied that his brother was serving in the military when he disappeared in Laos 29 years ago. His brother had been traveling in Southeast Asia as a tourist. Asked by The Quad-City Times, which is based in Davenport, Iowa, to complete the sentence "My closest living relative in the armed services is," Dr. Dean wrote in August, "My brother is a POW/MIA in Laos, but is almost certainly dead." The brother, 23-year-old Charles Dean, whose...

Dean's answer reveals more than intended For 12 weeks, editorial page readers have learned a little bit about the human side of our presidential caucus candidates. Our Caucus Q&A each Sunday defines each candidate in terms beyond position statements. They have divulged childhood experiences and influential teachers. In today's installment, the candidates named their favorite comedy film. Last Sunday, Howard Dean offered an unusually revealing answer. The candidates were asked to complete this sentence: My closest living relative in the armed services is...? Dean's reply: "...my brother is a POW/MIA in Laos, but is almost certainly dead." Dean's truthful answer...

Howard Dean came under criticism from an Iowa newspaper last weekend for an answer to a questionnaire in which he implied that his brother was serving in the military when he disappeared in Laos 29 years ago. His brother had been traveling in Southeast Asia as a tourist. Asked by The Quad-City Times, which is based in Davenport, Iowa, to complete the sentence "My closest living relative in the armed services is," Dr. Dean wrote in August, "My brother is a POW/MIA in Laos, but is almost certainly dead." The brother, 23-year-old Charles Dean, whose apparent remains were recovered by...

PEMBROKE, N.H., Dec. 22 — Howard Dean came under criticism from an Iowa newspaper last weekend for an answer to a questionnaire in which he implied that his brother was serving in the military when he disappeared in Laos 29 years ago. His brother had been traveling in Southeast Asia as a tourist. Asked by The Quad-City Times, which is based in Davenport, Iowa, to complete the sentence "My closest living relative in the armed services is," Dr. Dean wrote in August, "My brother is a POW/MIA in Laos, but is almost certainly dead." The brother, 23-year-old Charles Dean, whose...

XXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED NOV 26, 2003 10:49:38 ET XXXXX SOLDIERS ANGER OVER DEAN BROTHER 'MILITARY HONORS' **Exclusive** Active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines are upset over being forced take part in a military repatriation ceremony today for remains believed to be those of the non-military brother of presidential candidate Howard Dean, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned. "His brother will receive full military honors...flag over the coffin and all!" fumes one soldier, who asked not to be named. Governor Dean is set to visit to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the repatriation of his brother to...

<p>HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii - Democratic presidential contender Howard Dean joined family members Wednesday for the emotional return of the remains of three Americans and an Australian missing since the Vietnam war. Dean believes one of the Americans is his brother.</p>

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED NOV 26, 2003 10:49:38 ET XXXXX SOLDIERS ANGER OVER DEAN BROTHER MILITARY HONORS **Exclusive** Active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines are upset over being forced take part in a military repatriation ceremony today for remains believed to be those of the none-military brother of presidential candidate Howard Dean, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned. "His brother will receive full military honors...flag over the coffin and all!" fumes one soldier, who asked not to be named. Governor Dean is set to visit to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the repatriation of his brother...

Twenty-nine years on, a Pentagon task force finds the remains of Howard Dean's brother By Andrew Buncombe in Washington 20 November 2003 Howard Dean, the leading Democratic presidential candidate, has revealed that the remains of his younger brother have been found in Laos, 29 years after he disappeared on a trip down the River Mekong. Mr Dean said members of the Pentagon's task force that search for missing servicemen, prisoners of war and civilians, had discovered the remains in a crude grave in a paddy field in central Laos. While tests have yet to be completed Mr Dean said he...

THE remains of an Australian journalist shot almost 30 years ago have been found by US authorities. The bodies of Neil Sharman and American tourist Charles Dean, brother of front-running US presidential candidate Howard Dean, have been uncovered in a grave in central Laos. The discovery ends a 30-year mystery after the men were taken by communist forces in September 1974. Yesterday Mr Sharman's brother Ian told the Herald Sun the men were handcuffed, executed, and their bodies thrown into a bomb crater. He said US army officials had told him one body had been found on top of the...

Pentagon Has Uncovered Remains From Suspected Burial Site of Howard Dean's BrotherBy Nedra Pickler Associated Press WriterPublished: Nov 18, 2003 WASHINGTON (AP) - The Pentagon said Tuesday it has uncovered remains from the site in Laos where Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean's younger brother was believed to have been killed nearly 30 years ago. The remains have not been officially identified, but were uncovered in a grave along with some of Charles Dean's personal items, said Howard Dean's campaign spokeswoman, Tricia Enright. The candidate was notified of the discovery a few days ago, Enright said. Charles Dean was a 24-year-old...

Pentagon Uncovers Remains From Suspected Laos Burial Site of Howard Dean's Brother The Associated Press WASHINGTON Nov. 18 — The Pentagon said Tuesday that it has uncovered remains from the site in Laos where Democratic presidential candidate Howard Dean's younger brother was believed to have been killed nearly 30 years ago. The remains have not been identified, but are being shipped to Hawaii, said Larry Greer, spokesman for the Pentagon office in charge of POW and MIA issues. Charles Dean was a 24-year-old graduate of the University of North Carolina when he and a companion, Neil Sharman of Australia, were...