The sign photographed above was found in the Lorraine region of France. The use of red color, and of the diamond shape along the arrow, indicate that this was meant for supplies to follow the 5th Division route. This sign is in a private collection, and I posted it as a treat for readers to see a souvenir such as this. I also wanted to share some of the comments I receive along the journey that keep me going:

“...Thank you for keeping those guys (WWII soldiers) alive and well in the minds and hearts of us all who will never forget them or what they did.” from a long letter, Vietnam Vet, 5th Division, 2009

......” Many of Alan's letters reminded me of letters I wrote home to my mother when I first joined the Army. .... In addition to brief descriptions of my travels while on pass or leave, my letters to my mom had a common theme, "I'm OK, the food is fine, send goodies (cookies/candies) and please write!" That theme was repeated a few years later when I went off as a junior officer to Vietnam with the Fifth Infantry Division. While I found a certain familiarity with Alan's letters home, fortunately, my story had a happier ending than his. But, thanks to you, his memory shall live on. Your book is a wonderful tribute to a good Soldier.”           Vietnam Vet, 5th Division

.. “My Father served in the Red Diamond Division. He is now 90 yrs old and is residing at the VA Nursing Home... He was wounded near Metz. Both legs were injured when a shell came into his fox hole. He ended up losing his left leg. He enlisted in the army (5th Division) Oct. of 1940. He read about your book and wants a copy of it.” JB

....”I ordered your book for my Dad who is a 10th Infantry Fifth Division veteran.  We both were touched by the letters.... Thank you for your efforts in recording this part of history, it meant a lot to my Dad.  R R, 2009

.... RE: LORRAINE MILITARY CEMETERY, at  ST. AVOLD:.... “I have been to the American Cemetery.... back in 2002 .   It is a profoundly emotional place .  The worst of it is when wandering around  I realized these men  were in fact boys of 18 or 19 years old ........... it hit me hard.” K.B, 2009

.....”Took a short visit to your site and enjoyed all the effort you put into it.  Like you, the Lorraine cemetery took hold of me and I'll never forget it.  I visited it many times about fifty years ago, when I was a Canadian service brat.  ... At age nine or so, myself and some friends spent many an hour walking around the grounds, spellbound.  As I recall, no one imposed the reverence we had for the place, it simply occurred as a result of the surroundings. Your work revived certain pleasant memories, and I thank you.... a large portion of the cross layout is in the form of an American eagle.  I don't think the official cemetery site mentions this, and I thought they should, because that feature left an imprint on me, and it might serve to impress others the same way.” G P, 2010

... “We met at the Wenham Museum last summer-- I bought the book and was very moved by it. I hope it finds the larger audience it deserves.  Please keep me posted on your work, and best of luck!”  Cheers,  B. A. 2010

.....”The book was wonderful.  I'm sharing it with friends now.  I got to see all the ration cans... what was carried in a pack... postcards... trenches from Verdun... small details that grounded me more in the world your Uncle describes in his letters..... your Uncle's requests sensitized me to the plight of the soldier away from home trying to get what he/she wants.....I could go on and on.”

D.M., son of 90th Division, WWll Vet

......”Thank you so much for this book.  I bought it for my husband, whose father was also with the 10th Infantry of the Red Diamond......Like many veterans, he didn't like to talk much about what he went through.  Your book and Alan's letters help us understand something of what these men experienced.”  G. M., 2011

...... “I was deeply moved by your uncle's letters and the fact that you collected and transcribed them, and researched and explained the circumstances surrounding them.  I was deeply moved not only because of how young and full of promise your uncle was when he died, but also because I understood your feeling of missing someone you never knew.  Unlike your family, my family always spoke of the young man who left such an unhealable hole.....His loss was the great tragedy of our family - something I know you understand.”.... I. W., 2012