Email Messages Received From Randy Ard's Family.Dear Mr Hicks,
I would like to introduce myself, my name is Emmie C Lewis and I live in Crestview, FL.
Randolph J Ard was my fathers best friend and they were as close as any two brothers
ever were. Randy's mother, Emmie (I was named after her) took care
of my father like he was her own son.
For the past thirty years she has been more of my
grandmother than my biological grandmother ever was.
So on behalf of my "Ma" I would like to let you know that
Randy has been found and brought home.
He will be buried next to my "Pa" in Albertville, Al
later on this month. I would like to thank you
for every thought and prayer you have generated
over the years and let you know that he will be
laid to rest in American soil very soon.
Again thank you, Emmie C LewisHello,
My name is Jennifer Ard. I am the niece of Randolph Ard.
I saw your web site and noticed you have taken time
to write letters concerning his fate.
My family wanted me to contact you
and let you know that recently his remains were found in Laos.
Positive identification was made through DNA.
We are having a memorial service for him sometime in late March
in Albertville, Alabama. This is where Randy's parents
relocated after his death. I just wanted to say
thank you for devoting your time and any effort
you put forth on his behalf.
It means a lot to my family to know that he really has not been forgotten.
Thank you,
Jennifer ArdWanted to thank you for your website. I talked to my mother in Florida tonight
and she said that an aunt had called to tell her that she just learned that Randy
(my cousin... his mother Emmie and my father James Grimmer are 1st cousins)
had been found and the family recently buried him.
As a teenager I wore Randy's POW/MIA Bracelet!
Anyway, I decided to try and find some info on the web for my parents,
as they have not talked to Randy's parents since a visit I well remember in P-cola in the 70's.
I read Jenny's letter and now I can tell them where Randy's parents live.
Extended family often do get lost from one another and ours is a huge one.
Thanks again...
I just thought you might want to know how your efforts meant so much to people
you didn't even know existed.
Penny Midgley
Hilliard, Ohio
PS,
Thanks to your site I now have a photo of Randy to add to my genealogical records.
My Original Tribute Page To Randy Ard