Happy Birthday, Grandpa! I'm so sorry I'm a day late. But as the saying goes, "It's better late than never." I pray you had a great celebration, with Momma, Uncle Billy, great grandma, Mattie, and all those that you loved so dearly. I wish I could've known Great Grandma Mattie, also, Grandpa, and I'm so happy you're with her now. I wish I could be there with you all, but God just won't let me right now. I always cry when I write you, but I'm sure you know that. I think so often of you and cry every time I do. But, I'm still keeping to my promise to forever advocate for missing people, just not as often as I used to. It just hurts so much to know how much pain and desperation their loved ones are going through. I want so much to find them all for them, but I finally realized I'm not God. Just like with you, God has a planned day and time. I hate to think that like Momma, they may spend 40 years or more going through what she did. I just have to put my trust in Him and hope it doesn't take that long and that He will comfort and be there for them during their time of that haunting "not knowing". You surely knew how much it affected me. But after 25 years I just couldn't wait anymore. I'm still so thankful that because of my faith and trust in God, along with my hard headed determination, God allowed me to find you in just 3 months of searching. He knew I wasn't giving up even if it killed me. And, I promised you when you came to me in church when you asked me, I would not give up on you. Well, enough of that. I have no doubt you were with me the entire time. My picture of you will never leave it's place since Momma gave it to me at a very young age. It will forever remind me, that I promised then that someday I would find you. To this day, I still can't recall, breaking a promise that I knew I would definitely keep. I'll go now, Granda. Daddy already did, but will you promise you'll wait for me, too? I miss you so much and I've waited so long to finally meet you. I love you so much, I always have, and always will. That's a promise. Please tell Momma and Daddy I miss them so much, too. Forever the grandchild that loved you so much, JoJo.

It's hard to believe you've been gone 47 years. When I found you, it felt strange that you had still been alive the 1st 4 years of my life. To think you were out there, not knowing you had a granddaughter that would adore you so much. I always knew I didn't have a grandfather, I just never thought about it nor questioned why. When Momma told me at about 14 years old and gave me that picture of you in you in uniform, I wanted to know more. After Momma told me you were missing, I promised myself I would find you someday. Through the years, I somehow felt that you knew the promise I had made. I know you did. I'll love you forever, Grandpa. I'll talk to you soon. JoJo

Here's a yellow rose from Texas, Grandpa. If God be willing, one day i'll bring your earth vehicle home to be buried here in our National Cemetary. Full honors and the whole caboot. This time with your family in attendance, instead of "No relatives located." I love you, Grandpa Bud. I always have and i always will. But, i have a pretty good idea you've always known that...JoJo