"....I want to thank you and your people who were so kind and humane to give these men a Christian burial, minister and coffin. You can rest assured that God almighty will reward each and everyone of you...." 

(Mr. John T. Keene was the crew chief of the B-24.He died in 1993.)

Febr. 11. 1991

Hello Hannelore: I am sorry have not written you before now.

Excuse me for this, have put it off so long. I was the crew chief on B-24 aircraft that crashed in your village Nov. 26. 1944.

Have not at present time located any family member of the crew that perished.

Hannelore, we were not enemy of German people, only leader and form of government we were not for. As for your people we have always respected and thought well of before and after the conflict.

I want to thank you and your people who were so kind and humane to give these men a Christian burial, minister and coffin.

You can rest assured that God almighty will reward each and everyone of you. The quite, beautiful cemetery where your people buried this crew was a beautiful sight. I enclose a small photo of the Ark Angel.

If you have any photo or find a small part of aircraft, I sure would be grateful for this. Hannelore, the remains were moved from your cemetery to a National Cemetery in Belgium One Part of the translation mentioned that the Church Congregation desires to erect a memorial stone in the Oerie Cemetery.

I ask of your please send me a picture of this and translation, also I would if allowed to make a donation to this effort.

Last Oct. we had our group memorial in Dayton, Ohio to those at the group. At long last this has been done. In this reunion I gave all facts to members attending, of the humane and Christian deed the people of your village did for this crew.

Every one was so thankful and appreciative. Hannelore again I want to thank you, your family and the people of your village.

Many thanks for this Christian and human deed.

God bless all of you.

Again many thanks

A friend

John T. Keene