Many thanks to those who organized this memorial. Jonathan Hoard

I am not acquainted with Herbert or his family but today I have fallen in love with all of them. My husband was sent there this weekend by the Navy to cover his arrival into Missouri and the ceremonies that ensued. He has left countless times for his job including places that posed serious danger to himself. I can only imagine the heartache that was left by the loss of Herbert and commend the families for passing down stories and remembering him and fighting to find information about him all these years. As a Navy wife I am so honored to have heard about Herbert and his life and his sacrifice. Many blessings upon his family and complete adoration from a fellow patriot. May he rest ever so peacefully now that he is finally home.

A long journey home for this veteran and his family. May he always be remembered for his service and celebrated for the man that he was. He and his family sacrificed greatly for this country and and we are humbled. Rest in peace. Gay Critchlow, daughter of a Pearl Harbor survivor.

With much respect and condolences.

I AM NOT ACQUAINTED WITH THIS FAMILY; HOWEVER, I WANTED TO FORWARD MY MESSAGE THAT I AM PLEASED, FOR THEM, THAT THEY HAVE THEIR FAMILY MEMBER BACK HOME. I AM SORRY THAT HE WAS LOST TO THEM; BUT HE WAS FIGHTING FOR THE FREEDOM THAT WE SHARE TODAY. MY LATE HUSBAND, JOE HELLWIG; WAS NAVY IN WWII; HE AND FOUR BROTHERS, THE HELLWIGS, 2 NAVY, 2 ARMY, 1 AIR FORCE, WERE INVOLVED IN WWII AND THANKS TO THE GRACE OF GOD THEY ALL CAME HOME. I BELIEVE WE MUST NEVER FORGET WHAT THESE SERVICE PEOPLE HAVE DONE FOR US, FOR OUR COUNTRY. AND BECAUSE OF THEIR SACRIFICE WE ENJOY BLESSINGS AND FREEDOM TODAY. MAY THE GOOD LORD ALWAYS BLESS YOUR FAMILY. (AMYLEE-BEA DELASHMIT-HELLWIG)

What a priceless gift to your family to finally be able to lay him to rest. I hope his community comes together and offers you a great amount of support. With memorial day so close i know it will give some peace in their hearts. Thank you for sharing your memories with us to read. Please search out larry the flagman eckhardt (on fb) and see if he can do an amazing flag display for herbert. (Not sure of his schedule but if possible im sure he will be honored to do so, but has to be invited by family).

Thank you--you helped to make my life better

I want to add:grandma,Hattie was a very fine,kind, Christian lady that had a challenge raising 4 large(6') boys plus caring for grandfather(william).Walter lived close to grandma & granpa & saw after them..Walter's son.Donald joined the airforce in 1945,was a gunner on a flying fortress.flying over the Hump in India.the plane wasn't able to return flight over the Hump.the crew had tparachute out.Donald drowned in a rain storm.His body was retreved & buried in a DeSoto Cemetery. When Walter received word of Herbert missing at Pearl Harbor, he contacted a friend of his that had been transfered. Untill Walter died,he was in contact WITH THE navy about Herbert,Then his son Earl, was in contact for years.On Earl's death.Son Robert stayed in contact.Robert & wife,Cherel, still are very involved & I thank them very much for so much help with the ceremony . Elbert Hoard

I was born in 1929 at DeSoto, Mo. during the 1920's(the depression).Herbert's brothers,Robert,Walter,Roscoe all lived with families & worked on Rolling Acre Dairy Farm, west of Kirkwood,Mo.Walter & Esther had sons,Donald & Earl.My father & mother(Robert & Olive)had Doris,Elbert,Walter Lee.When uncle Herbert came on leave from the Navy,It was very exciting for all of us kids.uncle Herbert told of trips he'd been on to many remote places Brought strange gifts from these places.uncle Herbert had a Ford Roadster with a rumble seat, he'd give us rides into stores & buy us anything we wanted. We saw a goat for sale & he bought it.which caused problems,Aunt Cleona was afraid of it ,the goat knew this so when she was in the outhouse,it would watch & she would have to call for husband, Ross to help her. Also,Uncle Herbert bought glasses for me & helped with the others.He liked visiting us kids,& the family,his father & Mother.He had a very nice girlfriend which he planned to marry when discharged.