Lost items don’t always stay lost Published May 14, 2015 By Staff Sgt. Laura R. McFarlane 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- While preparing for the 2015 pool season, Gary R. Waters, 17th Force Support Squadron recreation assistant, came across a cash box in the storage room at McGarr Pool. The combination locked metal cash box was found inside of a cardboard box that had old papers and pool maintenance supplies on top of it, according to Ruth A. Radloff, 17th FSS Community Services Flight chief. After two weeks of searching for the combination with no luck, Waters and 1st Lt. John N. Guzman, 315th Training Squadron student, broke open the box. Among the loose change and other assorted items in the box was a ring. "We found a 2005 Air Force Academy men's ring with two small diamonds," said Radloff. "Inside was an inscription: 'Joseph R. Lay.'" Waters and Guzman took the ring to Shandy L. Scott, 17th FSS event planner. A search on the Air Force global email list found a Capt. Joseph R. Lay, Program Manager, Flight Test Resources at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Scott contacted Lay who described the ring, according to Radloff. Lay was a student here in October 2010 when the ring disappeared. "The ring went missing from my locker one day while my classmates and I were swimming during lunch," said Lay. He checked daily along with the lifeguards with no luck. "I posted fliers and worked with the pool staff constantly until I left in April 2011," added Lay. Who found the ring in 2010 and where it has been is a mystery, but soon it will be reunited with its owner. "I am very grateful it has been found," said Lay. "It is amazing to think that after five years someone found it and was quickly able to track me down."
