Jack,

You and my grandfather chewed some of the same dirt and coral together. He was in the 186th at Hollandia and Biak and in the Philippines.

I just want you to know how much I've really enjoyed reading your posts on here. They sure bring back a lot of memories of the conversations I had with him and his best friend --who was also in the 186th. My grandfather was Virgil Moore, a WV boy. His buddy was Fred Ogle, from East TN. Both of them were, as Fred said, hillbillies, so they understood each other pretty well.

There are just so many things you've said here that resonated with me; both about the war and life in general. For example, when you noted that in your youth the old veterans were those of North and South. That took me right back to a comment my grandfather made--about him sitting on his grandfather's lap as a little boy (of my exact age at the time) and him telling him tales of his service in the Civil War.
Time is short when you put it in perspective.

I've got some pics I'll try to get scanned and get up here. I figure they'll interest you and most of the guys here.

All my best to you

Brian