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November 15, 2007
Faithful project supporter, Sally Pavia from Sun City, Arizona posted our newscast video that was broadcast during
the Veteran's Day holiday. She received this comment from her traveling companion, Linda.
Thank you, Sally, for posting this link. I've been to the cemetery a
number of times in my youth, and it is such a beautiful and moving
place, even more so than Arlington
to ME. The video made me cry and now
I want to go back to see it again. I hope your posting touches someone else with ties to the cemetery.
Linda
July
12, 2007
Dear
Dave,
My niece Beth Ford has written to you & you were kind enough to send information
on my brother J A. Clouser, she forwarded it to me. There are not enough words to thank you for your info!! For all
these years I thought J was on a mountainside someplace & no one knew where exactly. I am so thankful to finally
know he has a beautiful resting place. I was very young when he died & have such good memories of him & this really
is a wonderful gift to know as it has always bothered me so much! I've always wondered why we could never get more info
on him but it was a real hard time in history so I can't fault anyone. Once again thank you from the bottom of my heart as
I can rest for the first time since he died. My very best to you !
Sincerely Flora (
Liz) Clouser- Freeman
May 22, 2007
Thanks for the consideration & opening of your home to me, it means so much. I doubt that I'll ever make the
trip inasmuch as I don't care for flying. I have the pictures of the memorial & that will suffice. Memories are in the
heart anyway. I have you to thank for the pictures,etc. as I didn't even know the memorial existed until your e-mail,so I
can never tell you how grateful I truly am.
Your friend,Betty Connerly
Sister of Sgt. Wallace Kinder
Bedford, Indiana
April 16, 2007
Donald
H. Spangler is my Uncle and my fathers brother. I would love to have a picture of the place in Manila
if possible to give to my father who just turned 87 years old last Sunday. Any information you may need on Donald, my Dad,
Robert K. Spangler can provide me with to e-mail you.
Thank you. God
Bless,
Kristine
April 13, 2007
Last January you were kind enough to send me some photos of the grave of Lloyd Whitten, a sailor with whom my dad served
during WWII. I thought I'd get back with you and let you know how much my dad and others from the squadron appreciate what
you are doing. In particular, a gentleman named Bob Perrenot, who now lives in Dallas, Texas, was very grateful for the photos. Mr. Perrenot was with Whitten when
he died on board their navy patrol bomber. After 62 years it was very moving for him to see Whitten's grave. Mr. Perrenot
never knew if Whitten had stayed in the Philippines
or whether his remains had been returned home to Texas. Mr. Perrenot asked that I pass on to you his thanks.
My best regards,
Dave Deatherage
Son of Paul Deatherage, VPB119, 1944-1945
November 16, 2006
Louis Raymond Blackburn Family, Monon, Indiana
Thanks for everything! I feel the same way when I look at his picture. What a price to pay.It is such a special thing
you are doing for people. I took your emails and pictures and showed them to my father. It was the first time in his life
he has seen his brother's memorial. Needless to say there were tears in his eyes. My dad is 78 years old. You can imagine
what this meant. Again thanks for all you do. God Bless You!
Sincerely,
Chris Odom
November 10, 2006
Thank you so much for
posting this message and picture. Marion J. Wildridge is my first cousin once removed. I will be forwarding
this information to Marion's 95 year young sister. Again thank
you.
Barbara Hunter
Once Barbara Hunter contacted
us we immediately sent photos to her. This was a great milestone for us and our contributing volunteers. This marked the 150th
family of an Indiana serviceman we have sent photos to. God has truly blessed the work of our contributing volunteers
and our project. We thank you all for your help and support.
Dave
October 16, 2006
Family of Gerald N Megnin
I discovered your website after reading the latest copy of /The Seedling Patch/ - a publication of the Lawrence County
Historical and Genealogical Society. My mother's brother was included in the roster of Lawrence Co servicemen listed
on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery Philippines. We had no idea that such a memorial existed.
As requested in the article, I am including a picture of Gerald Megnin, and a scanned copy of his obituary. The website you
have put together is very impressive. We would be honored to have information on my uncle included. Thank you
for your efforts at preserving and honoring those Hoosiers who have given so much to allow us to live our lives in freedom.
Steve
Browning
Despite the family's notion that Gerald was listed as missing in action we sent three photos of his gravesite at Manila
American Cemetery. Their family was the 148th Indiana family we have been able to locate.
Thanks to you for all the photos and information about my uncle. I was quite surprised to learn that his remains
are buried in the Philippines. My mother had always assumed he was lost at sea, and nothing to the contrary was ever
provided by the military (to the best of her knowledge).
September 4, 2006
Family of Walter Copeland
Thank You so much for sending me these photo's. I actually was able to see my father this weekend and showed him a "little"
of what I've been working on about Uncle Walt. He was flabbergasted to say the least. He was going to call the remaining brother
that's alive in South Bend. Thank You so Much for all the pictures I actually cried when I saw them, and Thank You for truly
being good people in today's society! Forever Grateful,
Angela Copeland-Story
August 22, 2006
Family of Robert Lamb
Bless
your heart Mr. Dwiggins. I will send these to the rest of the family...I am so glad I ran across this information site..Bless
you again...Bobby has special meaning to my immediate family because my Mother was pregnant when he left for service and he
asked her to name the baby Bobby if it was a boy....so in April she had a boy and he is named Robert for my cousin Bobby...I
can not tell you how much I appreciate this information about him. His family has all passed away except for 2 sisters
and a brother who live away from the home place. I will see that they get copies of this and the other pictures...He was a
cousin; but in our family "cousins" were more like "extra" brothers and sisters....Thank you, Alice Long
July 29, 2006
Family of Robert E Bilz
First of all, thank you VERY much for your
kindness & generosity in providing this information & all the wonderful photographs. Wow. Robert's brother, Lewis, was killed
Jan. 6, 1945, in France, & Robert enlisted in response to that, in honor of his brother. They both were very young—I believe only 18-19 when they died....both were from Elkhart. Dad says, in 1945, when the
family was first notified that the ship had gone down, my Uncle tried to get answers about what had happened to Robert, but
government agencies would not respond—no one would talk about it—& after a while he just gave up. Since Robert & Lewis were their only sons, my Dad & his brother became "sons" to my (great) Aunt
& Uncle...but they were never the same. Always broken-hearted.
So, it WAS really incredible to see Robert's name on the Memorial. Really
amazing. No one in my family had any idea about this. And, no, we did not have
the dog-tag information—we have most of it, but not his service number. This
will be extremely helpful in obtaining Robert's records (difficult to do w/out this number).
Dad has a little vinyl record Robert made in one of those old-fashioned recording booths in San Francisco the night before he shipped out, & it had his info written on the cover,
but the service number was unreadable. Thanks for providing that. Thank you again, & I'll make sure you receive some info on Robert.
Susan Tossman
California
May 29, 2006
My very best to you as well as my thanks for your photos and the care and
concern that went into providing them. Together, the photo of Cecil's grave
and the wide-angle shot of the Memorial give a good idea of where he has been buried (or, at least, remembered by two grateful
nations). Thank you very much for sending these along with the scans of the 2006 Memorial Service and the photo of veteran
Wenceslao Rodriguez. What these men endured in service to their countries is something that we can only poorly imagine.
In a world that so easily awards the sobriquet "hero", these men were truly that. I have passed these photos to my cousins who are more closely related to Cecil in the knowledge that they will be appreciated.
Thank you once again.
Jim Boyce
Family of Cecil L. Ensley; Illinois
Farges, France
May 29, 2006
Hey there Dave, I
could not believe my eyes when I opened up the Sunday paper, the news dispatch may 28, 2006. On the front page, in color,
for the first time, I saw a picture and location of my grandfather’s brother’s grave. Wow! What a trip. I am Jeff
Granacki Son of William Granacki Jr., his father William. Sr. is George’s brother. How do we get more info on George
and what info would you like from the family. I don't think anyone has ever known or seen his final resting place. Thank you.
I can't frigin' believe it. I called my dad, like right now, he can't frigin' believe either. If possible, please send an
E-photo of the grave sight to me.
With kindest regards,
Jeffrey A. Granacki.
May 29, 2006
I cannot tell you the joy these pictures brought me.I cried when I saw them. The pictures are absolutely perfect.
I have sent them on to the families who have computers. My uncle is 84 this year, he remembers Uncle Allen. He
is probably the only one who remembers him. He will be thrilled, also. May you and yours have many blessings heaped
upon your lives for the joy you bring to others by doing this. God bless you and keep you safe.
With great regard,
Barbara
McGirr
Family of Allen M. Pratt
Dave,
Your project and response has brought back memories to my two sisters
and me. We have the pictures that was in his (Gareld Spencer) billfold that he carried all through the service and was returned
to his parents at his death. One of those was of us three girls. My middle sister will get those items from storage/safe keeping
within the last of the week and we will make sure you get a picture of him. In the meantime, I will check the local papers
for an obit. We even have the purple heart that was presented to his parents at his death. His father; Andrew Spencer died
in 1966 and his mother, Jannie, died in 1969. Gareld had no siblings. But my sister remembers that Andy had been married before
and had a son that had children. We will check this, too. Also notice the spelling of his given name. I tried to see
if his stone spelled his name as "Gerald" or Gareld but could not see well enough to determine the spelling. His given
name was spelled Gareld even in the letters we have written by him. Thanks for your response.
Evelyn Harper Jackson
Depauw, Indiana
Formerly from Marengo, IN, Crawford County who grew up on State Road
#66 across from the Spencers.
February 21, 2006
Thank you so so much. You all are surely a blessing to us. I am sure
to keep a look out on the site for more names and photos. What you all do is totally wonderful. Now may I ask you all if I
can list your link on my family history group so that others from here in Indiana and Jackson County Indiana can see if their
family names are here and maybe post your address there too? I know they would be very happy to have the link. TYVM, Ruth
February 14, 2006
I have just seen your site and it is beautiful.
Although I am not a Hoosier I am close by in Ohio, (Buckeye State). I have an uncle that is buried in the National
Cemetery and we have never seen the grave site. His name is Paul William
Jackson. Although Dad is no longer living, these 2 were inseparable. I do have an uncle (bro to Paul) that is still living.
He flew 50 missions in Europe and has just celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary, his
94th birthday and his wife’s 97th birthday this past week. They both are of sound mind and get along pretty good. If
I could get a picture of this I would give it to this uncle. If you could possibly help me with this we all would be ever
so grateful to you and your wife.
We were pleased to be able to quickly send the photos of Paul William Jackson's name as it appears on the Tablets of
the Missing.
February 9, 2006
I am Edward J Girman's nephew. My mother, Dorothy (Girman) Tully
is Edward's younger sister. She and Ed were two of nine siblings all born and raised in Whiting Indiana. Dorothy is the last
surviving sister. I would appreciate receiving any information you might have.
Floyd Hollandbeck has been onboard with us from the start of the project as we searched for information regarding family
member Ralph M. Hollanbeck. Ralph was a commando and was killed by a sniper in the Philippines a year and a half before MacArthur's
return to the islands. Most of the servicemen that died during this time their remains were never found. Fortunately Ralph
is buried in one of the graves at the memorial and we sent photos to the family long ago. We thank you for being a part of
our project Floyd, and we thank our special volunteers for contributing to its success.
February 7, 2006
Hey Dave,
You are doing a tremendous job in collecting and preserving information! I can't thank you enough
for your efforts. My humble thanks to your project. Ralph was a great Hollandbeck!
Floyd Hollandbeck
Ralph Hollandbeck Family
February
7, 2006
Thank
you so much for your efforts, I deeply touched. I had no idea the cemetery even
existed and it was quite moving to be able to see my uncle's name on the wall. The photos are amazing! Again, you have no idea of how moving it is. I am mulling over how to share these photos with my family. I want it to be a very special moment for them as well. Again, our heart felt thanks.
Mona
Konopka
Family
of LT. Walter K. Brenneman
louandmo@msn.com
You will want to know that I have found a brother of the late Sam Calabria Jr. I
just got through talking to Sam's brother Frank Calabria here in Anderson, Indiana and they are thrilled to death. Frank is 91 years old.
Phyllis Leedom
Genealogist
Anderson, Indiana; Madison Co
Good Morning, Dave........ I just visited your web site and all I can say is........ "Wow! You are a God
send to many people." I don't have anyone buried there but for those who do you are doing a great service. I think
it's wonderful that you would take the time to take the pictures and do the research to find the families of these men.
I know that if I did have someone over there I would never be able to visit their grave and pictures would be a blessing
to have.
You've restored my faith in the fact that there might still be some people out there who are willing to give to others
without expecting something in return.
Thanks,
Janice
Paul Thomas "Tommy" Brown was my 1st cousin. I never knew him, but have known of him. You and your volunteers are doing
a wonderful thing by posting the information. I have just visited your website and was overwhelmed by what I saw. I had a
tear in my eye as I viewed the pictures and comments, knowing that these men and women are finally being recognized and honored.
I can imagine the joy of the close family members of these soldiers and sailors when they see the tribute to their people.
Betsy Wildes is my 1st cousin once removed, and we have been working together on the Brown family history for some
time now. She has shared the information and pictures with me. This is a wonderful addition to our family history. We knew
very little about our "Tommy" Thank you for all you are doing. May God bless you all.
Arlene Brown Allen
Dear Dave,
You don't know how I thank you for visiting the grave site of my Uncle Richard L. Fisher yesterday,
the photo's are absolute beautiful, what an incredible project you and Apple have accomplished. All the time, effort
and love you have put into this is so wonderful. It is so appreciated. I can't thank the two
of you for the devotion to this. It is really a sight to see and the crosses at the graves.
Thank you so for e-mailing my Uncles names on the walls etc. God
bless the two of you, you have brought closure to my Uncle's death.
Carol J. Lawson
Niece of Richard Lewis Fisher
Lost on the Lagarto
Dear Dave,
I am overwhelmed by the photos and surely with the speed in which you sent them. Thank you is such a small
word when it comes to our gratitude. My father, Charles' brother, is dying of cancer now, and has very few good days. This
will mean a lot to him. I will forward a photo of Charles to you in the next day or so.
Kind regards and thanks,
Sheila
Spencer Lein
Charles LaRoy Spencer Family; State of Washington
USS Houston
November 18, 2005
Hello Dave, my mother has received all you
pictures and info that you sent with them, I am printing everything
out so Max Wicklander’s brother (my grandfather) can treat his eyes to this most beautiful place of rest for his long
lost brother. There are no words we can find
that are special enough to say what we all feel in our hearts towards you and you wife. Thank you just doesn't seem fitting, but of course thank you from all of us to you both.
When my mother first saw this awesome cemetery she could not
believe her eyes. It is the prettiest and biggest
one that I have ever seen. The memorial wall is breath
taking, as with every picture you sent. You speak very kind words
and are helping people feel so much at peace and in touch with Max and all the men that are resting at Manila
American Cemetery. Again thank you so very much for all you have done and God Bless you.
Always,
Vickie Morgan of Washington and
The Family of Max M Wicklander
Crew Member on the USS Lagarto Lost near Thailand
I returned a message to the family of Max Wicklander expressing our appreciation
for the kind words and emphasized that the success of the project has not come because of me alone. Thanks for all the volunteer
help, it is bringing blessings to many folks.
I've already sent my thanks by e-mail but wish to thank you publicly. After many years, Glen's remaining family now know
where he rests and information on how he died. I send all of my family's thanks along to you.
Tracey Donahue
Family of Glen E. Halstead
of Lynn, Indiana
Thank you, Dave and Everyone,
Your generosity and kindness is overwhelming. My father, William T. Mabin,
SM1, died on the Lagarto. This discovery has brought our family both peace and new life. I have been deeply involved
in finding Lagarto families and have communicated with all of them. They are thrilled to finally know what happened!
There are many stories of families reunited, healing old wounds, and getting a better understanding of what our loved ones
on the Lagarto went through. We are proud to know that they went down fighting to the very end. The Lagarto story is
important because it represents the valor that all our military experience in war. If you can help us find the families
of any more crew, it would be tremendous.
Sincerely,
Nancy Mabin Kenney
Daughter of Signalman, William T. Madin; Illinois
701 South French Road
Lake Leelanau, MI 49653
(231) 256-9342
If you have any information regarding the family of the crew members of the USS Lagarto please contact Nancy at the above
email address or her partner in efforts
Karen Duvalle
Wisconsin Maritime Museum
75 Maritime Drive
Manitowoc, WI 54220
We also welcome your information here at our INDIANA SOLDIERS & SAILORS website and we will send free photographs
of each crew members name as it appears on the "Tablets of the Missing" at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines,
to each of the families found. We do not charge for our photographs; they are meant to comfort the families of Indiana and
American servicemen.
September 22, 2005
I and my entire family thank you for sending the photos. We really do appreciate the time you have given to show
our family this lovely memorial.
Thank you very much!
Laurence V. Pash
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
September 16, 2005
We have just heard from Karen Duvalle of the Manitowoc Museum
about the tablets at the cemetery with names of service people that have been lost in the wars. Our brother was on the
USS Lagarto when it was lost during the WW II, and we would appreciate it if you could send us a photo of his name which is
listed with his comrades on that ship. His name was C. Richard Byrer, F1/C. It is so good to know that someone
has been taking care of our lost men and women. We have been so relieved to hear that the Largarto has been found, and
it has brought such a comfort for us. My husband is the last of that family, and it has meant so much to him to know
that Dick has been found. Thank you for your help.
Violet
and Ben Byrer
We sent the photos
of the memorial to their family then received this reply.
Dear Dave:
We thank you for sending the beautiful photos of the memorial to the service men. We did find C. Richard Byrer's
name and rank on the wall. It was so good to see all you sent. However, the many crosses makes us both so sad.
Defending our country and independence takes a mighty toll on our country's population. Thank God we all realize what
is sacrificed by so many.
Again, thank you, thank you.
Violet and Ben Byrer
September 14, 2005
In May of 2005, the submarine USS Lagarto was found on the bottom of the South China Sea just off the coast of Thailand.
It had sunk May 3, 1945 in battle with a Japanese minelayer. A private wreck-diver from Britain found the sub to be in tact
and sealed. The Lagarto will remain a sealed tomb and thee are no plans to retrieve the remains. The letter below is a note
from the daughter, Nancy Keeney, of signalman William T. Mabin of Illinois. Nancy has spearheaded efforts to find the
families of the other crew members along with Karen Duvalle of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc where the submarine
was built. We are working closely with them to send photographs to the other families.
Dear Dave,
This is wonderful! Your thoughtfulness is very much appreciated. Some great things have certainly
come my way since this all started, and one of them is you. My mother has always wondered about his monument; said with
a sigh, some years ago, "Well, we'll probably never see it." Now I'll print this out and take it to the hospital
with me. You are an angel.
Nancy Keeney
Daughter of:
Signalman William T. Mabin
USS Lagarto
September 7, 2005
I just wanted to let you know how much Ed and I appreciate the pictures that you took the time to send us. Ed was only
five years old when his father was lost at sea and therefore has no real memories since his parents were divorced by then.
He doesn't have a lot of memoeto's so these mean a great deal to him. I am going to send you a photograph of Thomas Jewell,
Chief Signalman, United States Navy of Washington. I thought you might like one for your files and photo alburms.
Ed and Carolyn Jewell
Bonney Lake
Washington
Hello Dave, I can't thank you enough for the pictures. I am having copies made for the family
and they thank you too. I will be sending you a picture of Gene in his uniform along with other information about him. No
one in our family ever saw his grave and this is so gratifying to finally see it. Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
God has a special place for you in his heart.
Lois Kerr-Heffel
Brooksville, Florida
Eugene A. Stinetorf Family
Thank you so much for responding so quickly. I have learned more in the past hour than I have known all my life. I think I understand now why the family did not speak of him, because of his passing. That is, I think I
understand. The wall is clear and his name stands out like as if it were meant for all to see.
I will keep you informed of any more information I can add.
Again, thank you and God bless you both.
Catherine Homco-McKnight
Lake Co Indiana
Aug 25, 2005
Thank you, thank you, thank you for the photos of the "Tablets of the Missing" and the cemetery in Manila. They
are wonderful. Tonight, I was able to tell Harold's brothers and sister that I came across your site and about how you were
going to send me pictures of his name (Harold H. Elfreich) on the memorial. This comes at a time when my family is grieving
the loss of Harold's mother, my great-grandmother. She was 99 and died on Monday. Her funeral is tomorrow.
Harold had two brothers and a sister, all of which are still alive. Harold's older brother, my grandfather Donald Elfreich,
served in WWII and was stationed in Italy. Harold was not old enough to join the service. He was determined to
join, so his father signed papers so he could enter the service. I believe he was 17 when he entered. He was a
tail-gunner. Harold lived in Vanderburgh County, Indiana. Evansville was his hometown, but they lived in the county
only a mile from the county line. His name appears on a plaque outside the old Vanderburgh County Court House as a Vanderburgh
County resident killed in action in WWII. Thank you from the entire Elfreich family for helping us make this connection.
We were all unaware of the memorial in Manila and that his name was listed there. I can't wait to share these photos
with my family tomorrow. I will take my laptop with me and share the photos after the funeral. Thank you, thank
you, thank you!
With my sincerest thanks,
Audrey
Aug 26 (the next day)
Our day was a celebration of a long life. I know that finding your site was my great-grandmother's way of letting
me know she was with her son, Harold. Again, thank you so much for giving your time and energy to make sure the families
of those lost in the Pacific can have some closure and sense of peace knowing their loved ones are not forgotten.
Audrey Gower
Thank you so much for the photos of Leslie E. Klinefelter's ( State of Vermont) name on the Tablets of the Missing in
Manila. Your efforts are so meaningful to the families and to the memories of these brave American servicemen who lost
their lives so long ago. Although I never knew Leslie, he was part of my family and as such, I wanted to know as much
about him and his sacrifice as possible. One of the aspects of your work that touches me so much is that these boys died so
very far from home and their names are inscribed on walls so far from home too, but when you make this wonderful effort to
bring us the photos of their names, it somehow brings them closer to us. Once again, God bless you for your work.
Valri
Darling
I really appreciate the photos of my cousin, Sgt Edward L Stewart of Evansville. I am still trying to find out more about
him. I know my mother had a snapshot of him in his uniform, without his shirt, in a very casual position. I hope I can locate
this photo. Again, thanks. I sent money to the Monument commission to put flowers on his grave Veterans day and the anniversary
of his death. I am most certain that no one in his family put flowers on his grave. I would be surprised if they did. Must
go. Thanks for all your help. God Bless! Bonnie Peckinpaugh; Mississippi
Thank You so much. I found your message on a board at RootsWeb.com and was totally shocked to see my uncle's name
there. Wilbert Emery Goldsby was my dad's brother. There was a total of thirteen children, the first two children
died in infancy. Wilbert was known as Emery by everyone here. He and my dad had a small grocery store before Emery
joined the Army. He didn't marry before he left, but he had two good prospects. Both girls wrote to him while
he was gone. My dad and his family received many letters from him but they were all very general and usually talking
about things at home. The only thing I have learned about his time during the war was there was always beautiful women
and lots of beer around somewhere! Emery died before I was born so I really know very little about him. I do know,
however that he really enjoyed roller skating. I hope you don't mind, but I am sending a picture of Emery so at least
you will have a face to go with the tombstone. And I do not think I have ever seen such a beautiful cemetery.
Thank you again. We really appriciate it.
Sincerely,
Susan Goldsby Jenkins
Bedford, IN 47421
My name is Steve Rhodes. I am a special projects photojournalist/producer at WTHR-TV in
Indianapolis. While researching veteran related stories I stumbled across the story of your
efforts in the Philippines. We would maybe be interested in pursuing a story
about this -- especially if an Indiana family comes to visit the site because of info you have turned up. This is an emotional issue for many hoosier families and I think it could an opportunity to tell an important
story. Please let me know if you think this is a possibility. I look forward to hearing
from you.
Steve Rhodes
Photojournalist
WTHR -TV
Indianapolis, IN
I just wanted to drop you a note to thank for what you are doing in locating family members of
those that died in the South Pacific. From what messages of yours that I've read, it certainly sounds like you are doing
some good work!
My father served in the Phillippines during WWII and he came home, married, and raised a family
and now retired and pushing 80 years of age. He never talks of his war years, but from what I've gathered from TV documentaries
onThe History Channel, it was a hard life. With all of the recognition the vets get now, he really doesn't understand
it. He just scowls and says, "I went because I had to." I appreciate the fact that HE DID serve to help preserve
our way of life.
Your efforts are keeping alive the memories of those fallen heroes, and my hat is off to you!
Feel free to post on the St. Joseph Message Board anytime, and thank you for informing us of your work.
Sincerely;
Rick Berkheiser
Message Board Administrator for St. Joseph Co., IN
List Administrator for INSTJOSE
Thanks for the picture of wall with Arthur Bryan's name on it. I will make sure a copy gets to the genealogy office
and our local Museum of the Soldier, which is just for Jay County servicemen. You did send a couple of overviews of
the tombstones and a couple of overviews of the Memorial area earlier. Kathy Selman - Jay Co Genealogy
Thanks for the service you are providing the families of this tragedy. When I find Harrod's military picture, I
will get you a copy. Thomas Harrod Downard was born and raised in Danville, Indiana. As a matter of
fact, his ancestor, James Downard, was a judge that contributed some of his assets to have the county court house built in
Danville. Thanks again, Susan Downard
The gravesite photos for Harry E. White came through great. Thanks so very much, the family will enjoy having these in
their possession. His sister will especially enjoy seeing them. Please send photos of the memorial if it's different from
his gravestone. We have not seen another memorial. Thanks, again! John Van Zandt; Mississippi
I am the niece of Dwayne Elmer Bergstrom. He was the only sibling of my father.
Dwayne was born 21 Sept 1920-02 April, 1945. I can send newspaper articles and photos. I just happened to stumbled
onto this web site. What wonderful work you are doing. Peggy
We thanked Peggy for being a contact of our Indiana hero Dwayne Bergstrom and sent the family photographs of his grave
site here in the Philippines, (closeup and wide angle), plus photos of the scenes at different points of the
memorial. We expressed to her that our work is being done by a team of volunteers mostly from Indiana and some from around
America. We thank you all.
Although this is not an email it was a very kind posting about our website and a wonderful credit to the work of you
as our team members. A friend sent a note to me recently about this posting by Sally at Ancestry.com. This truly is a blessing
to all of us working so hard on the project to bring success and joy to the families. It needed to be shared with everyone.
Thanks again from Dave.
There is another World War II website worthy of mention: "Indiana Soldiers & Sailors" ( http://fizkid.tripod.com/). The photographs of the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines on this site are breathtaking. And, while the site's
owner is concentrating on Indiana, he graciously located and photographed the name of my uncle (New York state) on the Tablets
of the Missing. That photograph brought closure for my ninety-four-year-old mother who for many years had clung to the
hope that her brother would come home some day.
This was my uncle on my mother's side. I was born almost 10 years to the day that he was declared dead by the Navy
after his ship the USS Quincy was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island. Any information you can supply me with would be greatly
appreciated.Thank you, Becky Dawson Stone
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