Six years ago, dog tags were doing on the beaches of Normandy. After trying to track down its owner, it was determined to belong to WWII Veteran Clyde A. Spradley from McFarland. According to officials with the Kern County Veterans Service Department says when Spradley enlisted, he left behind a wife and his children to dedicate his life for his country. Six years ago, his name was rediscovered on the beaches of Normandy, roughly 5,500 miles away from McFarland. Director of Kern County Veterans Services Department Jose Lopez says when he received a letter from France explaining the discovery, he was amazed but he says when he found the family, it was an overwhelming experience.Six years ago, a man found a veterans dog tag on the beaches of Normandy. This starts the search to return it to its rightful owner, and the journey to reconnect stops here.Saturday morning ceremony was a process months in the making after discovering the rightful owner to the dog tags found roughly 5,500 miles away.The fact that a piece of history made its way to Kern County is truly amazing, said Director of Kern County Veterans Services Department Jose Lopez.The ceremony filled with local veterans honoring the life of Clyde A. Spradley, a World War II veteran who was from McFarland.I was amazed I could not believe that those dog tags would last that long and I was just so proud that they did this and that they honored him like this, said Brenda Wood.Brenda Wood is a cousin to Spradley from her fathers side.Lopez says when he received a letter from France explaining the discovery, he was amazed but he says when he found the family, it was an overwhelming experience.Kern County is very patriotic and so the fact that we were involved in such a historic event doesnt surprise me, said Lopez.Although Lopez says he didnt do it alone, many community members searched as well including Jose Hernandez.Our oldest veteran here in town Lawrence McLaughlin mentioned that he knew some of the veterans on that wall so I contacted him and sure enough he knew the family, said Hernandez.Wood says although most of her family as passed, Spradleys life and sacrifices will be passed down through every generation.My granddaughter Sydney was in the army so she will eventually get all this stuff because she will carry that on, Im just so happy, said Wood.Spradley has been laid to rest in Fort Smith Arkansas however his memory will live on forever in the city of McFarland.Stay in Touch with Us Anytime, Anywhere: Download Our Free App for Apple and Android Sign Up for Our Daily E-mail Newsletter Like Us on Facebook Follow Us on Instagram Subscribe to Us on YouTube