[LadyX]

Just happened to go to the end of last night's thread to see what was posted after I left yesterday, and found something posted by our dear Sistah Nan - -

"Posting a memorial for my favorite uncle who departed this realm yesterday morning.

J.R. Jones, Corpl. Third Armored Division, England, Germany, Belgium - WWII.

May he rest in peace and gain the reward he so richly deserves."

If my memory is accurate, this must be her beloved Uncle John.
You were blessed, Nan, by having so fine a person in your life. Comfort is yours, knowing where he now rests - surely with the Father of All....

Hope you don't mind my bringing it here to the Military Monday thread, in honor of his service, so we may pay our respects and express our gratitude for him - and all those to whom we owe so much.

- LadyX

[Aquamarine]

So sorry to hear about this. I remember seeing a picture of him last year and Nan telling about how special he was to her.
May God bless you and your family Nan.

[WVNan]

Thank you for moving the tribute over Sistah. This is not the same uncle John I've talked about before. This was my Mother's brother in Tenn. The famous Uncle John of Freeper fame is Jack's uncle who lives nearby. My Uncle John Rayburn Jones was a quiet hard-working man. I can remember vividly the day he left for the army. I was at my grandparents and it was the first time in my young life to experience the agony that parents suffer at the departure of a son to war. It was awful and has been an indelible impression on my life. Uncle Rayburn was so gentle he belied the image of a soldier, yet one could sense the underlying strength of the man. I would appreciate any prayers sent up for his widow and his children. He was 87.

[Billie]

Oh, no, I remember Uncle John. Last Christmas we had his picture here in our Christmas Memory thread. He did live a long and full life, didn't he, Nan? And now he's going to live forever in a much better place.

Love you, ladies.

[Dubya]

So sorry for her loss. May he serve Jesus now in heavenly peace.

[Dubya]

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22, 2003 -- The Department of Veterans
Affairs wants former prisoners of war who aren't using VA
benefits to contact the department to find out if they may
be eligible for disability compensation and other services.

More than 23,000 former prisoners of war already receive
compensation from VA. This year, the department mailed
information about benefits to another 4,700 known ex-POWs
not on its rolls. However, VA estimates it does not have an
address for as many as 11,000 more former POWs.

VA is asking former POWs not receiving benefits who did not
receive a VA letter recently to call the department at 1-
800-827-1000.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi said VA
has expanded policies to cover increasing numbers of former
POWs as new illnesses have been found related to captivity.
The administration currently is pressing to get even more
compensation and medical care benefits for former POWs.

"These veterans sacrificed for their country in time of
war, and it's the nation's turn to serve them, to help them
determine if they are entitled to compensation, health care
or other services," Principi said.

According to the VA, 90 percent of former POWs are veterans
of World War II, and their service predates the use of
Social Security numbers as a military "service number."
That, coupled with the decades that have elapsed since
their service, makes it difficult for the department to
track down those who have not opened a file with VA in
recent years, VA officials said.

The most recent expansion of VA benefits for former POWs
was a July regulation that added cirrhosis of the liver to
the list of diseases to which entitlement to disability
compensation is presumed in former POWs. Similar policies
making it easier for former POWs to obtain compensation
have been enacted for POWs detained for 30 days or more who
develop specific illnesses.

(Adapted from a Department of Veterans Affairs news
release.)

[Calpernia]

Thoughts and prayers for J.R. Jones, Corpl. Third Armored Division, England, Germany, Belgium - WWII.

And a big hug for Nan. A loved one passing always hurts.