researching 1Lt Ernest C. Baker

Domi, do you mean a "small thing" like sending me pictures of Foy Cemetery near Bastogne where my father was temporarily buried? I've read the comments people have left for you on Find a Grave because you have taken so many pictures and found so much information for them in Belgium. You provide many wonderful moments for people with your generosity.

For those in the forum unfamiliar with Find a Grave, I really can't encourage you enough to visit the site. It's all-volunteer, free, and contains many records of veterans graves that have been imported from US Veteran's Affairs. There are also several volunteers who are dedicated to creating memorials for veterans who seem to have been forgotten; most of these people take photos of headstones at their local cemeteries and then create a page for the veteran.

Again, it's free to register, to research, to add information or memorials. It's a highly respected site used by many genealogists. An example of a page that is being tended is my father's Memorial #53345287. If you look at the tributes in the lower right corner of my dad's page, you'll see this is how I met our young Sgt Potier--he often leaves tributes on the graves of veterans as well as helping many people on Find a Grave whose relatives died during the Battle of the Bulge.

Some examples of virtual cemeteries created by people interested in honoring veterans include: Bronze Star Recipients, Distinguished Flying Cross, Distinguished Service Cross, and Medal of Honor Recipients. I've found most people involved with Find a Grave to be as caring and anxious to help as all of you have been so I think it's a site that might provide quite a lot of cross information.

End of this commercial message.

 

Great message Judy, I wish we had more of those "commercial messages"

 

This is a bit off the topic, but I would like to reiterate that we don't know anyone personally who was military or ever lost a family member in war (thank God). I would like to share this because you will understand the poignancy.

Yesterday a funeral was held in our valley for a young soldier who grew up here and was killed in Afghanistan. He was 19 years old--out of high school for only a year. Our city is relatively large but it's extremely family-oriented, so this young man's family requested that people pay last respects by taking part in the service, the procession, or the interment.

My husband and I attended the procession and I carried the folded stars from my father's coffin. The route was lined with flags and more than 5,000 members of our community--waiting about two hours in the sun on a hot day--holding flags and signs with messages for the family.

The procession took 30 minutes to pass by us--complete silence--hands over hearts when the hearse and family cars drove by. A mixture of people to pay respects--veterans, retirees, young families, working people who used their lunch times to pay tribute. No political opinions, no "messages" other than sorrow and support for the family.

Attending that procession--despite the profound sadness felt at the loss of a young life--eased something in my heart. It bothered me to see friends following the family limos taking video--how could video of such a sad day possibly ease the pain of that family? Then I realized how much a video like that would mean to me--the family's request was for future generations--to be sure their boy's life was recorded and remembered.

When I got home, I found the letters written between my parents when he was overseas. It took the courage and wisdom of this young man's family to open my eyes. May he rest in peace and never forgotten.

From The Signal Newspaper 01 Apr 2011:

View attachment 21085

Rest in Peace, Rudy.

 

My dear Judy, Thanks so much for your message , but I'm just a young (44 years old ) European man who give a small return to my family in love ( The USA ) , It's very hard to explain with my English ( I'm sur Skipper can explain that ) but we are a lot of people in France, Holland, Belgium and and and to keep alive veterans memory . Find a grave is one of my way , with this site I have found and I find so many friends .

For the 87th this is some stories from a friend website .

Battle of the Bulge - US Army

Domi

 

Thank you for the link, Domi. It's much too late and I'm much too sleepy, but that site looks amazing. I'll definitely go through it. And your English may not be perfect, but your caring attitude shines through--we all understand that.

 

Definitely a great thread with posts demonstrating the kindness of strangers. It is threads like these which show what I consider to be one of the greatest benefits of the Forum and why I am proud to be a member. In reading some of these posts to my husband, he gained a greater understanding of why I spend as much time as I do here and doing research regarding someone`s request.

You are a very eloquent writer, Judy. I am so glad that you have found some information and through it a deeper connection to your father.