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Yes. You're absolutely right. It is left to us, the living, to tell their stories as often as possible. I am reminded of the words of the character of Pvt. Ryan each time I visit my father's grave site in Arlington National Cemetery: “...I tried to live my life the best I could. I hope that it was enough. I hope that in your eyes, I have “earned” what all of you have done for me.” Indeed, have any of us truly earned what all them did for us? How many of us understand the debt owed to those who gave us life, clothed, fed, and educated us, and fought and died in the hope that we would never have to?

“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”

The young man pictured at the start of this thread is my Uncle Ralph. I've never found his grave.

PowderMonkey,

I have been reminded of your post all day, as I have spent the entire day researching the 81st Wildcat Division (Company F) and their battles on Angaur Island in WWII. This is a challenge for me, as I am on dialup, and websites with graphics freeze my computer Grrrrr!!!!

That’s where my friend and fishing buddy (who died on Memorial Day at the age of 85) received his Silver Star for his heroic efforts on Sept. 23, 1944.

I write a monthly column for a regional magazine, and have a deadline for a column now. I am writing this one about the man who changed my life on fishing trips, and performed with exceptional gallantry as a sharpshooter one fateful day on an island far from his Tennessee home.

What a day!!! I think I have shed more tears reading this material today than I did last week during his funeral.

I am looking for some great quotes about Angaur to use in my column, and have found these harder to come by.

One thing I have learned today, we owe all of our veterans respect, and need to tell their stories every chance we can.

I have come across some great reunion sites today. Some of the personal posts by relatives looking for info on their loved ones killed on foreign soil are very moving.

God Bless your uncle. I have bookmarked lots of sites today and if you freepmail me info on your uncle I will share any I think might help you relocate his gravesite.