Lynne was a longtime AWONer who has attended nearly every AWON Conference. She earned
Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University, teaching second
and third grades from 1957 to 1997 at York Suburban School District. She was active on the Council of the
Christ Lutheran Church of York and in the Daughters of the American Revolution. A close friend to many, Lynne
with us to remember her Father, 1LT Kenneth E. Lecrone, 242nd Infantry, 42nd Rainbow Division, who was KIA
on 23 April 45 near Trendle, Germany, and buried at Mt. Rose Cemetery, York, PA. You'll be in our hearts, forever!

Jimmie McCollum met his wife, Jamie through AWON, and they lived in Fernandina Beach, Florida.
Born in Columbia, Mo, he proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. He was
with us to remember his Father, PVT Clarence E. McCollum, Co. "I," 334th Inf, 84th Division,
KIA 20 Nov 44 near Prummern, Germany. Jimmie will be missed, especially by the Margraten Kids,
as he had accompanied them to Margraten three times - in 2005, 2010, and most recently in 2015.

A resident of Southampton, New Jersey, Lynn passed after a battle with Leukemia
at Virtua Memorial Hospital in Mount Holly, just east of Philadelphia. Survived by his wife
of fifty years, Susan, he enjoyed trips to visit his family and grandchildren, and was a fan of
Fighting Irish Football. Lynn was an AWONer to remember his Dad, PFC Robert Cole Caine,
329the Infantry, Company L, 83rd ID, KIA 12 Aug 44 at St. Malo, France.

Brenda was especially active on the AWON Listserv, and as a retired elementary school teacher (34 years),
was an outspoken and enthusiastic supporter of elementary education and teachers’ organizations everywhere,
not just in Tennessee, but beyond. A long-time resident of Knoxville, she was a graduate off Washington
College Academy and East Tennessee State University. With us to remember her Dad, PFC Andrew James Scalf,
KIA 27 Feb 45 in Gerderath, Germany. Brenda was an organizer of her father’s 455th Anti-aircraft Artillery unit
(35th ID), as they erected a monument on the airfield where they had served in Watton, England.

Many among us remember Shirley for her intense caring for and about other AWON sibs.
During the WWII Memorial Dedication Conference in D.C. in ’04, a tearful,
Gold Star-waving Shirley graced the front page of the Harrisburg Patriot-News.
From Little Rock, Arkansas, Shirley was an active member of the Crystal Hill Baptist Church,
and had been the receptionist at Met Life for 15 years. She was with us to remember her 84th ID
Railsplitter Dad, CAPT Earl L. Jackson, KIA on 23 Feb 45 near Korrenzig, Germany,
and had been a fixture and a favorite daughter at many 84th ID reunions.
We'll miss you, Shirley, and so will the Railsplitters!

AWONers remember Kathy fondly from various national and regional conferences. She passed
from us peacefully with her family around her in Akeley, MN. Kathy's been with us to remember
her Dad, CPL Edward S. Newsom, of the 135th Medical Regiment, U.S. Army. CPL Newsome
was KIA 16 Aug. 44 in the Philippines on the day she was born! Kathy was a licensed practical nurse,
who extended her caring to medically fragile children, was a lifetime member of the VFW, and is
herself remembered by 15 grandchildren and 15 GREAT grandchildren! We'll all miss you, Kathy!

David passed and is at peace after an 11-year battle with Lymphoma and Leukemia.
We will always remember Dave as one of the most fun-loving among us, as the picture above
has him in his glory at the "Lost in the 50s" show in Branson. Dave was with us to remember his Dad,
PFC Aloysius (Al) Stanek, who was KIA 29 Nov. '44 on the Siegfried Line near Linnich, Germany.
Dave, we'll misss your music - but will miss your sense of humor most of all!

Barb was a fighter, and she had been one all her life. And she was in the fight of her life
with throat and other cancers since she was diagnosed in 2012. . . and was given 6 months to live.
But she fooled 'em all . . . and toughed it out . . . looong past anyone's expectations, often refusing meds -
just to be more conversant with her friends and sons (she had two, Doug and Ron). Barb was here
to honor her Dad, 1LT Kenneth V. (Herky) Halverson - a pilot - KIA 7 Nov. '44 on Mount Tournette,
near the village of Thones, France. Barb, you cared more for everyone than everyone ever knew.

Doug was born in Teaneck, N.J. and so sadly passed at Manassas, VA. He was a proud Marine CPL
(1958-1961) and a devoted Catholic. He retired from Fairfax City as a police officer, loved to travel,
and went twice with an AWON group to Margraten, where his father rests. Doug leaves two children --
Debbie Justice of Manassas and Susan Cromarty of Cocoa, FL -- and three grandchildren. Doug honored
his father, PFC George G. Cromarty, 405th Regiment of the 102nd Infantry Division. Gerry Morenski
put it best, in saying "Doug, you will be missed by all who had the fortune to know you."

Bob passed from us in late 2011, after a long battle with cancer. He served a 25-year career in
the U.S. Army, having risen to the rank of Sergeant Major, and having served with the elite 199th Light
Infantry Brigade in Vietnam, and with other units in Korea, Japan, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Washington, D.C.
and in multiple other locations in the continental U.S. Following his Army career, Bob worked in Information
Systems at Freeman Health System until his final retirement in 2008, leaving his wife, Pat, three children,
and six grandchildren. Bob was with us to honor and remember his father, PFC Henry J. Tikkanen, who
had been killed in WWII. He had no memory of his father, but we envision them together now.

AWON has lost a favorite Sister in Doni Morrison Troglio after a three-year battle with Lou Gehrig's
Disease. She passed on Friday, October 15, 2010, and will be sorely missed. Doni has served in one
capacity or another in most of the major functions of AWON. At various times, Doni was a Board Member, Vice
President, Database Manager and Editor of The Star. Briefly, she was Chief Financial Officer. In November of
2010, she became the first recipient of the Col. Jack O. Forgy Outstanding Service Award. Survived by daughter
Wendy James and husband Charlie Troglio, Doni was with us to honor 2LT Donald Schoenwether Morrison, pilot
in the 15th AF, 454th Bombardment Group, killed in action 19 March 1944 on a mission near Cerkvenjak,
Yugslavia, now Slovenia. Doni's with her Dad, and in our hearts.

Michael was born in Columbia, SC, and was three when his Father went missing in Papua New Guinea.
During his life, Michael served in the Marine Reserves, was a graphic designer, an actor, an art director,
a photographer, and a journalist. He met his wife, Patricia at the AWON Branson Conference in 2002, when
Patricia was AWON Board President. They were married at Yale University in June, 2003, making their home in
Denver. Both of their Fathers lost their lives in New Guinea. Major Earl R. Kindig and 2LT George P. Gaffney, Jr.
are buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Michael had passionate political beliefs, had spent decades as an
advocate for the labor movement, and prior to his passing was Editor of the Colorado Labor Advocate. He
loved Shakespeare, art, Beethoven, and Harleys, and is survived by a loving family, including nine grandchildren.

Patricia left us way too early, and we miss her. Germany and Italy declared war on the U.S. 5 months
before she was born, and two years later, in September of 1944, her Father, Bernard Wernert was killed
when his glider crashed on a mission. Patty grew up, joined the Peace Corps, and at 22, spent two precious
years in the Philipppines. From there, she went to Cambodia, where she was the sound person for a CBS News
crew covering the Vietnam War. She moved to Washington for a time, then finally "home" to Louisville. Proud
of her family, she was always the one getting everyone together. She and her Mother made the trip of a
lifetime to Ireland, and on the 50th anniversary of D-Day, she retraced Bernie's footsteps to the beaches
of Normandy and Omaha, and to the airfield where he died. We're happy that they're together now.

Anthony (Tony) Chiarello was born and raised in Trenton, New Jersey, served his country in his beloved
Marine Corps, and passed away at the age of 65, after a seven-week illness. Tony was a graduate of The
College of New Jersey with a batchelor's degree in mechanical engineering. After his service in the Marines,
Tony worked for the State of New Jersey, ending 35 years of service as chief construction official for the
Division of Building and Construction. Tony and his wife, Jane had a son and two daughters and following
retirement, moved to St. Augustine, Florida, where Tony became an active and involved member of the community.
Tony was with us to honor and remember his Father, PVT Dominick John Chiarello, 101st Infantry Regiment of
the 26th Infantry Division, KIA on Thanksgiving Day, '43 during an attack on Bedestroff, near Lohr, France.

Jack Forgy ~ Happy Jack to most of his friends ~ was a treasure to most of us.
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Jack was a little older than most of us (11) when he lost his father,
LTC Percy O'Dell Forgy, who was KIA on 27 July of 44 in Normandy, France ~ and is buried at
Normandy American. Jack was a graduate of West Point ~ Class of 56, and was in the Army for
32 years. Jack's extensive militar career is what made him so infinitely valuable on the AWON
Board, and as both a researcher and as a teacher of research. He helped so many of us actually
"find our fathers" in one way or another. And for that, Jack ~ you will always be missed.
For more on Jack (as there is more) - Click here.

General Downing was not only one of us, as a WWII Orphan (he sat with Annie and spoke at the
Seattle Conference in 1995), but he was a soldier's soldier, a West Point graduate (1962), and beloved
by all who knew him. He was a highly decorated combat veteran, having served 34 years in the Army, two
tours in Vietnam, and ended his military career as Commander in Chief of the U.S. Special Forces Command,
meaning the elite special operations of ALL services. Following retirement, he served in the White House
as the President's principal advisor on terrorism and served as the National Director and Deputy National
Security Advisor for Combatting Terrorism. General Downing was with us remembering his Father, PFC
Frances Wayne "Bud" Downing, KIA 25 March, 1945 in one of the last major engagements of WWII.

John Earl Linville passed away Wednesday morning, July 4th, at Carle Hospital in Danville,
Illinois, with his wife, Susan by his side. John was a Family Practice Physician who had fought in
the Battle of the Bulge with the 75th Infantry Division in WWII. On Christmas Day of '44, the first
casualty of the company died in John's arms and he vowed to dedicate his life to helping others,
which in part began a long association with the Danville VA Hospital. John is survived by Susan,
three daughters: Kathleen, Elaine, and Mary; son, John; ten grandchildren, and his dog, Kohleen.
Consensus is that Susan's Dad, 1LT James F. Nichols, Jr. was around to welcome John home.

AWON Member Bob Bolin is remembered by his wife, Carla, son Robert, and daughter Jennifer,
following a long fight with Multiple Myeloma. Bob was a Navy veteran and had served in Vietnam
aboard the carriers USS Forestal and USS Randolph. He was a graduate of Indiana University
with a degree in geology, was an avid sports fan, especially of the Indianapolis Colts and
of the Indiana University basketball and football teams. He had retired in 2002 from his
position as a Senior Field Representative for ISO Insurance Services. His hobbies included
geology, history, and gardening, and was among us to remember his Father, Robert H. Bolin.

Brian Morris was the son of Tommy and Barbara Morris of Ventura, husband of Tara,
father of Iris Jewel, and Grandson of Bernard Lee Morris, 279th Replacement Company, 85th ID.
Brian had been a Senior Probation Officer in San Marcos, CA at the time of his untimely death
from a fluke windpipe blockage. Brian held a degree in Criminal Justice from San Diego State
University and worked with juveniles. Because of the positive effect he had on so many lives,
he'll be remembered by his colleagues as the epitome of what a probation officer should be.
Ironically, Tommy notes that both his son and his father share the initials BLM, both died in
February (11 Feb 45 and 16 Feb 07), both were 5'7" and of slender build.
Tommy and Barbara know that they are together now.

AWON Member, former Board Member and AWON Accountant Gary Shields passed away unexpectedly
on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 from a torn aorta, barely 16 months following the tragic auto
accident that took his beloved wife, Gloria, whose own remembrance appears lower on this page.
We'll remember Gary fondly for his even disposition, for his ready smile, for his untold hours
of professional service to AWON in his financial and Board capacities, and for his love of Gloria.
Gary leaves his children, April Williams and Robb Shields, two Brothers, Jim and Leroy and the
memory of his Father, PVT James Charles Shields, KIA 5 Feb 1945 in Olongado, Luzon, Philippines.
We'll deeply miss you, Gary, as you missed your Father and your wife.

AWON Member Robert L. (Bubba) Rutledge, son of Pvt. Robert L. Rutledge, Plot D, Row 7,
Grave 21, Margraten, Holland, and brother of AWON member, Ginger Rutledge Gregory passed away
on August 27, 2006 after a long battle with prostate cancer. Above, "Bubba", age 2, saluted his
dad in 1944, and again on August 27, 2006 as he joined him in eternal life in heaven. Bubba
was born May 16, 1941 in Lumpkin, GA. He is survived by his wife, Shirley, one son,
Robert Stacey (Sandy), two grandchildren, Robert Taylor Rutledge and Rebekah Jane Rutledge,
his mother, Marguerite Cannington Rutledge Hamner, a sister, Ginger Rutledge Gregory, and
two brothers, Rusty Hamner and Jim Hamner.

Duane Heisinger passed away on Monday, May 1, 2006 after a valiant fight
with Cancer. Duane was an Annapolis graduate, USNA Class of 1956 and author
of "Father Found" -- about the man he was with us to honor and remember -- MAJ
Samuel Lawrence Heisinger. Duane's Father died on a Japanese Hellship, the
Enoura Maru 12 Jan 1945. Duane was a presenter in San Diego, where the picture
above was taken -- and he's been a friend and Brother to many, many here.
Now he's found his Father.

Grace Ingersoll passed away unexpectedly over the weekend of 10/14/05.
Grace was a loyal member of the AWON family. Pictured above at an AWON gathering
in Olympia, Washington, Grace was from Seattle, and was with us for the friendships,
comraderie, and in honor of her Father, LT Royal Rodney Ingersoll II, USN, who was
killed at his battle station on the USS Hornet (CV8) during the battle of Midway,
4 June, 1942. He was buried at sea. We'll miss you, Grace, as you missed your Dad.