UPDATE 2: Day 18 since the disappearance of Wally Dunn.
A big thank you to all who expressed their wishes of support and to those indicated that they were praying for my family. It means a lot to me.
Through my talking to people in area, a few claimed that they may have seen my father in the Big Lake area. Two eye-witnesses believed that they saw my dad in Big Lake IGA. Jerry Hill, the IGA manager, very kindly permitted me to view the surveillance video for as long as I needed and for two days that was my job. Evidently, the witnesses saw other older gentlemen whom they thought was Wally Dunn. That showed to me the limited value of sightings by people who had never met my dad, unfortunately. I only heard of the Montana Creek after returning to Ontario. But the quality of this sighting may not be better than the ones that we already knew about.We had a family meeting Wednesday evening and decided that the media saturation in Alaska sufficed that the majority of people in the State and practically everyone in the Big Lake Region knew about Wally Dunn’s disappearance, we decided there was little left to do. If he is in the wilderness, he has no chance of living after seven days without food. I checked numerous cabins and RVs in the area to see if he had stowed away in them, spoke with many people who have cabins and residences at Crooked Lake and Papoose Twins. On the other hand, if he is at large in the State, someone would see him and report him. All we can do is see if he shows up. But since reviewing the surveillance at Big Lake IGA, I have no verifiable evidence that my father ever left the wilderness area where people saw his truck on July 12, 2012, at approximately 2:00 pm. His disappearance remains a mystery. On Thursday afternoon, I flew back to Toronto, arriving Friday morning. I am finally caught up sufficiently on my rest to make this report.
My sudden trip to Alaska has made me acutely aware how the so-called “Ex Patriot Act”, against which I wrote in the American Thinker but still manages to kick around, and the so-called “Reed Amendment”, are pieces of crap legislation by politicians who think that human rights violations are a means of covering over their own immoral and incontinent spending habits. If I were a covered expatriate and had been banned from the United States because of my expatriation, it would have been cruel and unusual punishment both to me and to my family. It is a crime to punish people with permanent exile for exercising their fundamental right to expatriate, protected by the US Declaration of Independence, the US Constitution, and the US Expatriation Act of 1868.
UPDATE 1, Day eight of Wally Dunn’s disappearance:
Border: I passed US formalities in Vancouver. I was asked why I was going to the US. Once I mentioned that it was to search for my father who was missing I received a concerned look and a good luck. The officer did not ask for my CLN. I did not volunteer it. My impression is that for now, if a vocal person like myself has nothing to fear, the vast majority of the rest of us have even less to worry about.
Search: On Tuesday night my Dad’s friend Les found my dad’s pick-up at the end of “The road to nowhere” as the locals call it (erroneously called Goldsteak Dr., Big Lake, AK, by Google Maps). It ends in a cul de sac. Trails in four directions into the forest, leading in most cases to impassable muskeg and swamps. The whole area has an insane amount of mosquitos. The Alaska State Troopers have been leading a search and rescue effort that includes helicopter support (for two days), volunteer and professional search and rescue teams with dogs. On July 18, volunteers from both the civilian population and thirty soldiers from a company from Fort Richardson. They did line searches (people spaced apart to try to uncover person hidden in the dense brush). Yesterday, I participated in one of these sweeps and was able to keep up with the young soldiers and civilians for about two hours. The line search yielded no clues. So far, the four-day search has resulted in finding nothing. The Troopers plan to continue the search again Saturday. I am increasingly of the opinion that my father walked back towards civilization, and picked up a ride. Apparently, Alzheimers victims wander off, take buses, or hitch rides and have been known to disappear for several days only to be found alive somewhere. If the search continues to yield nothing, there seems to be an increasing possibility that he is not in the forest but somewhere in civilization yet suffering from amnesia. Today, I spent my efforts taking posters to the business on the main strip of retails stores, churches, and other business along South Big Lake road, talking to people about the search and asking them to keep on the lookout for my father. I am very impressed with how the folks here are concerned and are making an effort to help us. My family has built up a debt that we will never be able to pay to payable to the volunteers, some of whom have participated in all four days of the search so far.
Original post:
This afternoon I received an e-mail from my sister who lives in Anchorage, Alaska, explaining that my father has been missing since last Friday (see press release).
As the chief rabble rouser here at the Isaac Brock Society, I’ve put my neck out in a way that is little more risky, perhaps, than others here. I have expressed my fear of returning, and I have said I will not do it except in the case of a family emergency. Like me, many of you are also afraid to return to the United States. Well, I think of all the regular participants at Isaac Brock, I am probably the most likely target for detention and arrest, because of my outspoken activism at this blog. However, because I will partake in the search party that my family is putting together, I must risk entering the United States for the first time since I relinquished my United States citizenship. However, I wanted you to know where I was going, so that all of you would know that if I disappear, who to blame. I would become the much sought after poster-boy of the Isaac Brock Society–a Canadian harassed only because he is a former American.
Hopefully, however, on compassionate grounds, the US authorities will refrain from arresting, detaining, or harassing me (though for what crime they might charge me, I’m not aware). It has been over one year since I filed my Form 8854 and my last tax return, and I’ve heard nothing back. So as far as I know, as far as what the IRS has informed me, we’re all good.
I will have my precious Certificate of Loss of Nationality and my Canadian passport with me, and we are flying Air Canada through Vancouver. Wish me luck clearing US formalities at the Vancouver Airport. I covet your prayers.
BTW, I’ve upgraded our comments editor, Pacifica, to full administrator. That way, if the worse happens to me, you all can continue blogging.
First published July 16, 2013, 22:35
Thanks SwissPinoy for pointing out the update from Petros. I have a bad habit of checking the latest posts and would have missed it; and thanks to Petros for the update.
Petros, you are the type of person that used to make me proud to be an American. We usually do whatever it takes to get the job done and we help each other (like the people posting here are doing). I wish we could all be there to help you look for your dad.
Reading your update about the volunteers you’ve had helping me is a reminder that there are still a lot of decent Homelanders who I’m sure would help all of us if they knew and understood what we are going through. You’ve been tireless in trying to educate the people who could make a difference. Maybe those of us who are attending the meeting in London next week could do a little brainstorming to find ways to communicate to the decent people how afraid you were to cross the border. The words “Mr. President, tear down this wall” keep coming to mind.
Best wishes for finding your dad soon.
Petros, I was so sorry to hear that your Dad is missing. My prayers today are for you and your family.
I don’t know if I ever properly expressed it but I am so damn grateful to you for starting this site and for your advocacy. Even in the middle of a family crisis you posted about a concern that a lot of us “troublemakers” have – what would happen if we try to cross the border into the US (something I will be doing next Tuesday). You are an inspiration and one of the finest persons I know. Kisses, candles and prayers from Versailles, Victoria
Thank you for the update on the search for your dad, Peter, and assuring us that you had crossed the border without incident, in fact with best wishes for your search!
You and others have it right — this is what America should be — a coming together in times of need. Those tireless wilderness volunteers want nothing more than successfully finding your dad for his family and his friends. They are very special Americans.
Take special care in the next steps — many of us wish we were there able to help.
Peter, I am relieved to hear that your border crossing was without incident. As you say, that should bode well for everyone else who has a CLN.
I am sorry to hear that your father has Alzheimer’s. My own father had that affliction for several years before he died, and I know (as you do) that it’s not fun for anyone. Part of the disease involves disorientation and confusion, which may explain your father’s disappearance and absence so far. I hope he is found safe and sound, and I take some minimal comfort in thinking that even though confused and disoriented he probably, I hope, isn’t afraid or possibly even aware of any danger he might be in. I know that happened to my father a couple of times, when he wandered down my home-town’s street in the dead of winter in shirt-sleeves. Fortunately a neighbour spotted him before he came to harm. I hope if your father is wandering, it’s in a part of Alaska that is populated enough or travelled enough that someone will spot him and bring him to safety.
Hi Peter,
Is there any news yet about your Dad?
Hoping for the best,
FTW
http://www.ktuu.com/news/search-for-missing-elderly-man-called-off-pending-leads-ktuu-20130721,0,2298008.story
By Neil Torquiano
Channel 2 News
7:29 p.m. AKDT, July 21, 2013
ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
Alaska State Troopers called off the official search an elderly man who has been missing for more than a week.
A multi-agency search effort for Wallace Wilkinson Dunn, 81, continued Saturday, however “to no avail,” according to AST spokesperson Megan Peters.
“It is now called off pending further leads,” Peters said in brief update. Multiple aerial and ground searches were conducted for Dunn.
According to the Anchorage Police Department, Dunn was last seen on Friday, July 12th by employees at his gym.
Police say his family saw him the day before, at a soccer game in the area of Waldron Lake when he told them he was going to spend the following weekend at his cabin near Big Lake.
Troopers found his vehicle parked and locked about two miles away from his cabin.
Anyone with information on Dunn’s whereabouts has been asked to contact APD at 786-8900.
Editor’s Note: KTUU’s Abby Hancock contributed to this story.
Contact Neil Torquiano
Not good news and I hope that some info on where he’s gone comes to light soon so he can be returned safe and sound to his family. Best wishes Peter, thinking of you all.
This means it’s all up to family and friends now. Petros, you have my e-mail address. If you need funds to hire professionals to help with your search, please give me an address so I can mail you a US money order ASAP. Your diverse Brock bunch can only be with you in spirit and we are all hoping for a good outcome. Stay strong!
Petros,
I sincerely hope you soon find your father safe and sound. This costs you enormous fear and anxiety, obviously.
Nobledreamer, thanks for the update though it isn’t such good news. I still hope your dad will be found safe and sound Petros. Hope you are taking care of yourself too. Let us know as you can how things are going and if there is anything we can do.
@Petros: You allies at Maple Sandbox send buckets of hope your way.
Peter, I still have my fingers crossed for you and your family. Take care.
Petros,
May god be with you and your family during this time.
Good luck and god bless!
The called off search may mean that he was never in the woods. Folks with facebook may be able to follow the news here:
https://www.facebook.com/r.php?invid=100006396065435&key=AQADZne-3FrQ1B8HwtkM8DhBXi8izGvgiUGUpVpKT_RRVeK8ED3A6h2a7Y6knPT34i5J2qIS_wZ-0TGOIDZVaSOIB2w
@Em, very kind of you to suggest a financial contribution. I think we will just give the bill to my dad when he’s found. How does that sound?
@ Petros
That’s the spirit! Positive thoughts and best wishes heading your way instead.
This evening my sister appeared in a news story about my dad’s disappearance in the Anchorage TV News: KTUU
http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-family-continues-search-for-missing-81yearold-20130722,0,2168383.story
@Petros
Thanks for posting the video – hang in.
My thoughts are with you.
Just saw this post–keeping you and your family in my thoughts, Petros!
@ Petros
I’m sure you’ve checked out this possible lead but on the slim chance you missed it …
http://www.ktva.com/news/local/Police-Searching-for-Missing-Elderly-Man-215830801.html#commentform
COMMENTS:
Anonymous said on Sunday, Jul 21 at 4:47 PM
update it was him that we saw as I said it looked like a neighbor…but that person passed away… so check the traffic cams…and follow the car…
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Anonymous said on Friday, Jul 19 at 10:20 PM
friend pointed out the direction of the car – sorry. I was turning onto Pittman and stopped at the light I was able to see the man in the vehicle, and they were in the other lane heading towards Wasilla. Then the lights turned and I turned onto Pittman.
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Anonymous said on Thursday, Jul 18 at 5:58 PM
check traffic cameras for Parks Highway at stop light it was the day before yesterday around 800am – was turning onto Pittman and saw a passenger in a car that looked like that man…use the AST station there to pull records and see if it’s him…then follow the car on traffic cams to see where he was going with the elderly man…might have been hitching a ride?
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My search of Alaskan news sites this morning didn’t find anything recent (within the last day or so) about the search for Wallace Dunn. Has anyone here been reading the facebook page Petros suggested for possible updates? It’s been 2 weeks now. Petros, family and friends of his father must be extremely worried at this point and frustrated at the lack of leads. So hoping something positive happens very soon.
Our prayers are with him.
@Em
I joined the FB page and Google him everyday with the same results. I can’t think of any other way to find current info nor get news out to more (who?) who could recognize photo, witnessed something, etc.
@ nobledreamer
Thanks for watching the FB page. Wallace Dunn PLEASE find your way home! So many people have you in their thoughts and prayers.
Yes, nobledreamer, thanks for keeping us informed through your following of the Facebook page. What a helpless feeling his family must have as the days go by. Hopefully, the Senior Dunn is found somewhere safe and sound.