Good Morning . . .

I am a member of AWON, the American WWII Orphans Network. I am a World War II orphan. I became an
orphan on February 23, 1945. You, the daughters of Private First Class George T. Davis became orphans on April 19, 1945.

I had always heard the term orphan. I thought it referred to children who had lost both parents. But the fact is that an orphan is anyone who has lost one or both parents, and a "war" orphan is universally used by governments, including our own, as a term for children who have lost a parent in war. We were designated as "War Orphans" by the Veteran's
Administration.

Before 1991, few American war orphans had ever talked with another war orphan, or had even been allowed to talk about their fathers. Most of us had spent our lives feeling isolated and knew little about our father's service or how they died. Some had never even seen a photo of their Dad! We all had the same yearning to know more about our dads but we didn't know where to go for that information.

In 1991, AWON, the American WWII Orphans Network was formed by our own Orphan Annie Mix, and is now a
non-profit organization. We have located more than 1,000 sons and daughters of men who were killed in WWII, plus many other family members. We have brought people together across the nation, and have also formed an online computer network of very active and sharing individuals from all over the United States.

Our knowledge of how to contact war buddies of our dads and to find members and friends has increased. We are sharing what we know with each other through the network. Because of AWON, and the diligence of Tina Aden, the granddaughter of PFC George T Davis, this family here today now knows much about their dad and grandfather. What he did, where he did it, and why he did it.

Each one of our AWON members has a story to tell. We are bonded by the same emotions of missing a very important part of our lives. Our dad wasn't there to help us cross the street, make things okay when we messed up, walk us down the aisle on our wedding day, meet his grandchildren, or tell us about the good old days.

Through AWON, we are learning more about our dads than we ever imagined possible. We can share and talk about our dads openly to one another. We have been able to memorialize our fathers in our hearts and shed tears openly at our loss.

Because of AWON I have been given back a part of my dad in knowing more about him. I now know how, where, and why he paid the ultimate price. Yes, I still miss him and Marian, Doris, Delores & Yvonne, I know how you miss your daddy too. We always will miss them, but we can now start filling that hole in our hearts with pride in what they did for us.

You too have learned much about your father and grandfather, PFC George T. Davis. You now know that while on night watch, he heard enemy gunshots as the others in his unit slept. He started to attack the Germans alone and saved the lives of the other soldiers when his shots awakened them and gave them more time to prepare. Those minutes helped save their lives.

Today we are here to honor PFC George T. Davis and his family. To his daughters, Marian Serra, Doris Crouch, Delores Davis, Yvonne Dirbyshire, and the children of Georgia Meyer, who are representing their deceased mother, I feel your pride today in your dad and grandfather. I also feel your pain. Your dad was a hero and this day to honor him is long overdue for all
of you.

Today, somewhere over the rainbow, George and Georgia are smiling down on this wonderful family reunion. On behalf of AWON, I proudly present this wreath to the daughters and family in honor of Private First Class George T. Davis.

And May God Bless your Family.