(Editor’s note: Although originally not intended for publication, Mr. Reed has agreed to our publication of his request in hopes that his friend will be found.)

Dear Judy,
 
My name is Ben Reed and I am an assistant metro editor at The Advocate newspaper in Baton Rouge. I've been here since 1990, and have been a journalist since 1973 when I graduated from LSU.
Enough about me, other than to say I am a Marine Corps combat veteran of the Vietnam War.
For years, I have been searching for a fellow Marine named Roger D. Likens, a very good friend of mine, whom I literally fought with side by side in 1969. After more than 40 years, I have tracked him down to Summerville with a rather cryptic address of Dairy Rd Pob Ashley River, Summerville, S.C. 29483. Also, with possible P.O. Box numbers of Box 413 and/or Box 417. I do not know what the Pob means after the Dairy Road address. It also lists his age as 60, which is about right because I too am 60 years old. He might go by the nickname of "Ike" Likens.
I'd even found a report he might have died at age 52 in 2002 -- hope not. So, before I resort to writing strange letters to these addresses, I wanted to check with my fellow journalists on a whim that he might be known to you, or someone at your paper, or in government, etc. for any assorted reasons. Perhaps your circulation's route people might have a clue.
I'd really appreciate a reply...if not with any hard information, then at least a point in the right direction to whom might help me. I guess what I would need most is a telephone number -- that, obviously, has escaped my searches.
Thanks in advance, newspaper life is tough these days, best of luck to the two of you.
 
Ben Reed
The (Baton Rouge) Advocate
breed@theadvocate.com
benreed@cox.net
(225) 388-0315 (office from 2:30 to 10 p.m.)
(225) 803-9815 (cell, any time)