INDIANA SOLDIERS & SAILORS

November 10, 2013

September 15, 2013

My grandmother, Peggy Lou Foreman, is Buddy W. Foreman's little sister! I was just googling names and came across a message you posted on a message board about my grandmother's brother from 2004! It says you had a picture of his grave site? I am hoping you still have it! My 85 year old grandmother has talked for many years of flying to visit her big brothers grave, but her health has not permitted. That message board post brought years to her eyes! She is just thrilled. I would much appreciate ANY information you have. Thank you so much!  Katie Cottingham

November 15, 2013

Thank you so much for the pictures and links! My grandmother cried years of joy, after 60+ years, she was able to see her big brother's grave. I attached the only two pictures we have of Buddy. thank you again for all of your hard work, it means so very much to all of us. Happy Veterans Day.  Katie Cottingham

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

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May 16, 2007

May 16, 2007

Hi, Dave! Patty told me you are from the Elwood-Alexandria area.  I have lived in the Cicero-Noblesville area for 22 years--a long time, but not long enough to be a 'Hoosier.'  My dad was in the army--out of Minnesota. What wonderful work you have been doing--gathering information about Americans that served in the Philippines.  Thank you. I will be arriving next week to honor my dad.  But I'm really new to this.  I know where my dad, Carl M. Nielsen, is buried, but I have only begun to trace the path to where he died.  He was part of the108th Infantry Regiment, 40th Infantry Division.  I do not know where he landed or whether he fought in the north or near Manila. 

May 17, 2007

While I slept, you found all this wonderful information.  The Carl M. Nielsen you found is my dad.  He initially enlisted in Minnesota, but re-enlisted while stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Thank you for the information & the book.  See you in a week.

Karlene

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

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.

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

April 17, 2006

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 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 you were able to quickly send the photos of Paul William Jackson's name as it appears on the Tablets of the Missing.

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

Dave - "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

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

February 3, 2006

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

January 5, 2006

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 anAd 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 USS Lagarto

December 15, 2005

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 being honored 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.

September 5, 2005

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

August 26, 2005

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