Grandpa,
Wish I had the chance to know you. I was only two years old when you passed away early Christmas morning, the year 1974. I have no memories of you. The only link I had to what you were like as a Grandpa was Ronnie. And Ronnie would share with me fond memories of spending time with you and Grandma. Ronnie was a great story teller and I never grew tired of hearing him telling the same stories over and over again of the times he shared with you and Grandma. I often wonder what would I have called you. Growing up I always envied kids who had grandparents. Now that I'm a mother. I see how special a grandparent's love is. Isaiah (my son) calls my dad "Pa-Pa". Isaiah and his "Pa-Pa" have such a special relationship. I hope you are proud of me. I followed in your footsteps, I proudly serve in United States Air Force. If we could have a conversation, I would ask you a ton on questions about your time served in the United States Air Force...it was a different time and era, and I just wonder what was it like back then. They say you never miss what you never had...well I do miss growing up not knowing what a grandparents love feels like.
Love always,
Your grandaughter
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010
SSgt Rufus Alfred Blackmon, USAF (Ret)
1927-1959
Dearest Grandpa,
I often wonder, even if as kid when we went to visit you and Grandma Bea your grave marker never said what War you served in. Yesterday, I asked mama if you served in the War. I got an Indignant YES. So I asked the question...why is it not on grandpa's grave marker. She said "Oh it's not, I never noticed." Grandpa, me being in the military that is the first thing I notice. I just "assumed" you never went to war. Mama went on to tell about all the stress she was under, trying to get you buried at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery. The VA told mama they had NO records of you serving in the United States Air Force at ALL. Mama was under so much stress during that time, you passing on Christmas Day 1974. I found out Grandma Bea was hospitalized for 71 days shortly after you passed. Grandma never came home from the hosiptial. Grandma joined you in Heaven. Mama during that time was dealing with caring for her she was at the hospital everyday. Also, she had Ronnie, me and was pregnant with my little sister Bea. The VA gave her such a HARD time getting them to bury you at Ft Sam National cemetery. Since you "NEVER" served your country as far as their "RECORDS" indicated. Grandpa, I'm very ANGRY. Nobody noticed? I asked my dad he remembers conversations with you. Daddy told me yes you did serve in WW2. I told him about your grave marker. He also said he never noticed. Daddy rarely goes out to pay respects, it is to painful to him to visit Ronnie you and Grandma . I respect and understand the way he feels. Grandpa your death certificate service dates, say 1927-1959 and that you retired from U.SA.F. However, your death certificate does not mention you serving in WW2.
I will contact the VA and get this straight. Mama is getting older and she is under allot of stress. So I will find out the truth. I need to get my hands on your original DD214. Mama has it and she says it does say you served in WW2. I need to see it for my self. I will contact the VA about this matter. Not sure what good it is going to do. Since they have you as NEVER serving your country. Below is what I found out reference military records. It seems your records must to have been destroyed in the fire. Your service dates fits the time frame. "The infamous 12 Jul 1973 Fire"
Grandpa, this is a battle I have to fight, I need to know. If you did served in WW2 , Your grave marker should say it. If not, that is ok. I just have to know for certain. I always wondered, about your grave marker but never asked. Grandpa, whatever the outcome is. I'm proud of you no matter what.
Love Always,
Your granddaughter
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010-Information I found out about the "12 Jul 1973 Fire"
On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at NPRC (MPR) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The affected record collections are described below.
No duplicate copies of the records that were destroyed in the fire were maintained, nor was a microfilm copy ever produced. There were no indexes created prior to the fire. In addition, millions of documents had been lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the fire occurred. Therefore, a complete listing of the records that were lost is not available. Nevertheless, NPRC (MPR) uses many alternate sources in its efforts to reconstruct basic service information to respond to requests.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010
Dearest Grandpa,
I'm very frustrated. I need to bug mama again. I need your DD214. I went to the site reference Mitlitary Records. To make a long story short, if records were destroyed in the fire some documentation has to be presented. Mama has the DD214. I just hate to bring it up. It still hurts her so. I can only imagine all the "red tape" she had to go through just to get you buried at Ft Sam National Cemetary. She was deeply in grief and had to deal with them telling her they had no records of you serving your country. Well I'm hurt too, just because I have no memories of you does not mean I don't feel connected to you. I'm just frustrated, hope Mama can find your DD214 and if it does say you served in WW2. Your grave marker should reflect.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010- note to self what I need to obtain (VA "red tape" I hope they listen)
Reconstruction of Lost Records
If a veteran is advised that his or her records may have been lost in the fire, he or she may send photocopies of any documents they possess to the NPRC, particularly separation documents. The address is National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. This enables the NPRC to reestablish files by adding those documents to the computerized index and filing them permanently.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Military Information: SSGT, US AIR FORCE
Wish I had the chance to know you. I was only two years old when you passed away early Christmas morning, the year 1974. I have no memories of you. The only link I had to what you were like as a Grandpa was Ronnie. And Ronnie would share with me fond memories of spending time with you and Grandma. Ronnie was a great story teller and I never grew tired of hearing him telling the same stories over and over again of the times he shared with you and Grandma. I often wonder what would I have called you. Growing up I always envied kids who had grandparents. Now that I'm a mother. I see how special a grandparent's love is. Isaiah (my son) calls my dad "Pa-Pa". Isaiah and his "Pa-Pa" have such a special relationship. I hope you are proud of me. I followed in your footsteps, I proudly serve in United States Air Force. If we could have a conversation, I would ask you a ton on questions about your time served in the United States Air Force...it was a different time and era, and I just wonder what was it like back then. They say you never miss what you never had...well I do miss growing up not knowing what a grandparents love feels like.
Love always,
Your grandaughter
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010
SSgt Rufus Alfred Blackmon, USAF (Ret)
1927-1959
Dearest Grandpa,
I often wonder, even if as kid when we went to visit you and Grandma Bea your grave marker never said what War you served in. Yesterday, I asked mama if you served in the War. I got an Indignant YES. So I asked the question...why is it not on grandpa's grave marker. She said "Oh it's not, I never noticed." Grandpa, me being in the military that is the first thing I notice. I just "assumed" you never went to war. Mama went on to tell about all the stress she was under, trying to get you buried at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery. The VA told mama they had NO records of you serving in the United States Air Force at ALL. Mama was under so much stress during that time, you passing on Christmas Day 1974. I found out Grandma Bea was hospitalized for 71 days shortly after you passed. Grandma never came home from the hosiptial. Grandma joined you in Heaven. Mama during that time was dealing with caring for her she was at the hospital everyday. Also, she had Ronnie, me and was pregnant with my little sister Bea. The VA gave her such a HARD time getting them to bury you at Ft Sam National cemetery. Since you "NEVER" served your country as far as their "RECORDS" indicated. Grandpa, I'm very ANGRY. Nobody noticed? I asked my dad he remembers conversations with you. Daddy told me yes you did serve in WW2. I told him about your grave marker. He also said he never noticed. Daddy rarely goes out to pay respects, it is to painful to him to visit Ronnie you and Grandma . I respect and understand the way he feels. Grandpa your death certificate service dates, say 1927-1959 and that you retired from U.SA.F. However, your death certificate does not mention you serving in WW2.
I will contact the VA and get this straight. Mama is getting older and she is under allot of stress. So I will find out the truth. I need to get my hands on your original DD214. Mama has it and she says it does say you served in WW2. I need to see it for my self. I will contact the VA about this matter. Not sure what good it is going to do. Since they have you as NEVER serving your country. Below is what I found out reference military records. It seems your records must to have been destroyed in the fire. Your service dates fits the time frame. "The infamous 12 Jul 1973 Fire"
Grandpa, this is a battle I have to fight, I need to know. If you did served in WW2 , Your grave marker should say it. If not, that is ok. I just have to know for certain. I always wondered, about your grave marker but never asked. Grandpa, whatever the outcome is. I'm proud of you no matter what.
Love Always,
Your granddaughter
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010-Information I found out about the "12 Jul 1973 Fire"
On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at NPRC (MPR) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The affected record collections are described below.
No duplicate copies of the records that were destroyed in the fire were maintained, nor was a microfilm copy ever produced. There were no indexes created prior to the fire. In addition, millions of documents had been lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the fire occurred. Therefore, a complete listing of the records that were lost is not available. Nevertheless, NPRC (MPR) uses many alternate sources in its efforts to reconstruct basic service information to respond to requests.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010
Dearest Grandpa,
I'm very frustrated. I need to bug mama again. I need your DD214. I went to the site reference Mitlitary Records. To make a long story short, if records were destroyed in the fire some documentation has to be presented. Mama has the DD214. I just hate to bring it up. It still hurts her so. I can only imagine all the "red tape" she had to go through just to get you buried at Ft Sam National Cemetary. She was deeply in grief and had to deal with them telling her they had no records of you serving your country. Well I'm hurt too, just because I have no memories of you does not mean I don't feel connected to you. I'm just frustrated, hope Mama can find your DD214 and if it does say you served in WW2. Your grave marker should reflect.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010- note to self what I need to obtain (VA "red tape" I hope they listen)
Reconstruction of Lost Records
If a veteran is advised that his or her records may have been lost in the fire, he or she may send photocopies of any documents they possess to the NPRC, particularly separation documents. The address is National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. This enables the NPRC to reestablish files by adding those documents to the computerized index and filing them permanently.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Military Information: SSGT, US AIR FORCE
Grandpa,
Wish I had the chance to know you. I was only two years old when you passed away early Christmas morning, the year 1974. I have no memories of you. The only link I had to what you were like as a Grandpa was Ronnie. And Ronnie would share with me fond memories of spending time with you and Grandma. Ronnie was a great story teller and I never grew tired of hearing him telling the same stories over and over again of the times he shared with you and Grandma. I often wonder what would I have called you. Growing up I always envied kids who had grandparents. Now that I'm a mother. I see how special a grandparent's love is. Isaiah (my son) calls my dad "Pa-Pa". Isaiah and his "Pa-Pa" have such a special relationship. I hope you are proud of me. I followed in your footsteps, I proudly serve in United States Air Force. If we could have a conversation, I would ask you a ton on questions about your time served in the United States Air Force...it was a different time and era, and I just wonder what was it like back then. They say you never miss what you never had...well I do miss growing up not knowing what a grandparents love feels like.
Love always,
Your grandaughter
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010
SSgt Rufus Alfred Blackmon, USAF (Ret)
1927-1959
Dearest Grandpa,
I often wonder, even if as kid when we went to visit you and Grandma Bea your grave marker never said what War you served in. Yesterday, I asked mama if you served in the War. I got an Indignant YES. So I asked the question...why is it not on grandpa's grave marker. She said "Oh it's not, I never noticed." Grandpa, me being in the military that is the first thing I notice. I just "assumed" you never went to war. Mama went on to tell about all the stress she was under, trying to get you buried at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery. The VA told mama they had NO records of you serving in the United States Air Force at ALL. Mama was under so much stress during that time, you passing on Christmas Day 1974. I found out Grandma Bea was hospitalized for 71 days shortly after you passed. Grandma never came home from the hosiptial. Grandma joined you in Heaven. Mama during that time was dealing with caring for her she was at the hospital everyday. Also, she had Ronnie, me and was pregnant with my little sister Bea. The VA gave her such a HARD time getting them to bury you at Ft Sam National cemetery. Since you "NEVER" served your country as far as their "RECORDS" indicated. Grandpa, I'm very ANGRY. Nobody noticed? I asked my dad he remembers conversations with you. Daddy told me yes you did serve in WW2. I told him about your grave marker. He also said he never noticed. Daddy rarely goes out to pay respects, it is to painful to him to visit Ronnie you and Grandma . I respect and understand the way he feels. Grandpa your death certificate service dates, say 1927-1959 and that you retired from U.SA.F. However, your death certificate does not mention you serving in WW2.
I will contact the VA and get this straight. Mama is getting older and she is under allot of stress. So I will find out the truth. I need to get my hands on your original DD214. Mama has it and she says it does say you served in WW2. I need to see it for my self. I will contact the VA about this matter. Not sure what good it is going to do. Since they have you as NEVER serving your country. Below is what I found out reference military records. It seems your records must to have been destroyed in the fire. Your service dates fits the time frame. "The infamous 12 Jul 1973 Fire"
Grandpa, this is a battle I have to fight, I need to know. If you did served in WW2 , Your grave marker should say it. If not, that is ok. I just have to know for certain. I always wondered, about your grave marker but never asked. Grandpa, whatever the outcome is. I'm proud of you no matter what.
Love Always,
Your granddaughter
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010-Information I found out about the "12 Jul 1973 Fire"
On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at NPRC (MPR) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The affected record collections are described below.
No duplicate copies of the records that were destroyed in the fire were maintained, nor was a microfilm copy ever produced. There were no indexes created prior to the fire. In addition, millions of documents had been lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the fire occurred. Therefore, a complete listing of the records that were lost is not available. Nevertheless, NPRC (MPR) uses many alternate sources in its efforts to reconstruct basic service information to respond to requests.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010
Dearest Grandpa,
I'm very frustrated. I need to bug mama again. I need your DD214. I went to the site reference Mitlitary Records. To make a long story short, if records were destroyed in the fire some documentation has to be presented. Mama has the DD214. I just hate to bring it up. It still hurts her so. I can only imagine all the "red tape" she had to go through just to get you buried at Ft Sam National Cemetary. She was deeply in grief and had to deal with them telling her they had no records of you serving your country. Well I'm hurt too, just because I have no memories of you does not mean I don't feel connected to you. I'm just frustrated, hope Mama can find your DD214 and if it does say you served in WW2. Your grave marker should reflect.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010- note to self what I need to obtain (VA "red tape" I hope they listen)
Reconstruction of Lost Records
If a veteran is advised that his or her records may have been lost in the fire, he or she may send photocopies of any documents they possess to the NPRC, particularly separation documents. The address is National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. This enables the NPRC to reestablish files by adding those documents to the computerized index and filing them permanently.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Military Information: SSGT, US AIR FORCE
Wish I had the chance to know you. I was only two years old when you passed away early Christmas morning, the year 1974. I have no memories of you. The only link I had to what you were like as a Grandpa was Ronnie. And Ronnie would share with me fond memories of spending time with you and Grandma. Ronnie was a great story teller and I never grew tired of hearing him telling the same stories over and over again of the times he shared with you and Grandma. I often wonder what would I have called you. Growing up I always envied kids who had grandparents. Now that I'm a mother. I see how special a grandparent's love is. Isaiah (my son) calls my dad "Pa-Pa". Isaiah and his "Pa-Pa" have such a special relationship. I hope you are proud of me. I followed in your footsteps, I proudly serve in United States Air Force. If we could have a conversation, I would ask you a ton on questions about your time served in the United States Air Force...it was a different time and era, and I just wonder what was it like back then. They say you never miss what you never had...well I do miss growing up not knowing what a grandparents love feels like.
Love always,
Your grandaughter
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010
SSgt Rufus Alfred Blackmon, USAF (Ret)
1927-1959
Dearest Grandpa,
I often wonder, even if as kid when we went to visit you and Grandma Bea your grave marker never said what War you served in. Yesterday, I asked mama if you served in the War. I got an Indignant YES. So I asked the question...why is it not on grandpa's grave marker. She said "Oh it's not, I never noticed." Grandpa, me being in the military that is the first thing I notice. I just "assumed" you never went to war. Mama went on to tell about all the stress she was under, trying to get you buried at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery. The VA told mama they had NO records of you serving in the United States Air Force at ALL. Mama was under so much stress during that time, you passing on Christmas Day 1974. I found out Grandma Bea was hospitalized for 71 days shortly after you passed. Grandma never came home from the hosiptial. Grandma joined you in Heaven. Mama during that time was dealing with caring for her she was at the hospital everyday. Also, she had Ronnie, me and was pregnant with my little sister Bea. The VA gave her such a HARD time getting them to bury you at Ft Sam National cemetery. Since you "NEVER" served your country as far as their "RECORDS" indicated. Grandpa, I'm very ANGRY. Nobody noticed? I asked my dad he remembers conversations with you. Daddy told me yes you did serve in WW2. I told him about your grave marker. He also said he never noticed. Daddy rarely goes out to pay respects, it is to painful to him to visit Ronnie you and Grandma . I respect and understand the way he feels. Grandpa your death certificate service dates, say 1927-1959 and that you retired from U.SA.F. However, your death certificate does not mention you serving in WW2.
I will contact the VA and get this straight. Mama is getting older and she is under allot of stress. So I will find out the truth. I need to get my hands on your original DD214. Mama has it and she says it does say you served in WW2. I need to see it for my self. I will contact the VA about this matter. Not sure what good it is going to do. Since they have you as NEVER serving your country. Below is what I found out reference military records. It seems your records must to have been destroyed in the fire. Your service dates fits the time frame. "The infamous 12 Jul 1973 Fire"
Grandpa, this is a battle I have to fight, I need to know. If you did served in WW2 , Your grave marker should say it. If not, that is ok. I just have to know for certain. I always wondered, about your grave marker but never asked. Grandpa, whatever the outcome is. I'm proud of you no matter what.
Love Always,
Your granddaughter
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010-Information I found out about the "12 Jul 1973 Fire"
On July 12, 1973, a disastrous fire at NPRC (MPR) destroyed approximately 16-18 million Official Military Personnel Files. The affected record collections are described below.
No duplicate copies of the records that were destroyed in the fire were maintained, nor was a microfilm copy ever produced. There were no indexes created prior to the fire. In addition, millions of documents had been lent to the Department of Veterans Affairs before the fire occurred. Therefore, a complete listing of the records that were lost is not available. Nevertheless, NPRC (MPR) uses many alternate sources in its efforts to reconstruct basic service information to respond to requests.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010
Dearest Grandpa,
I'm very frustrated. I need to bug mama again. I need your DD214. I went to the site reference Mitlitary Records. To make a long story short, if records were destroyed in the fire some documentation has to be presented. Mama has the DD214. I just hate to bring it up. It still hurts her so. I can only imagine all the "red tape" she had to go through just to get you buried at Ft Sam National Cemetary. She was deeply in grief and had to deal with them telling her they had no records of you serving your country. Well I'm hurt too, just because I have no memories of you does not mean I don't feel connected to you. I'm just frustrated, hope Mama can find your DD214 and if it does say you served in WW2. Your grave marker should reflect.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
20 March 2010- note to self what I need to obtain (VA "red tape" I hope they listen)
Reconstruction of Lost Records
If a veteran is advised that his or her records may have been lost in the fire, he or she may send photocopies of any documents they possess to the NPRC, particularly separation documents. The address is National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132-5100. This enables the NPRC to reestablish files by adding those documents to the computerized index and filing them permanently.
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
Military Information: SSGT, US AIR FORCE
