I'm hoping to find someone who can do me a favor...

My great uncle graduated from Rice Lake H.S. (1912) and UW-Madison (1916). He joined the Army Air Service (91st Aero Squadron) in 1917 and arrived in France in early 1918. On September 26, 1918, he was shot down over Damvillers, north of Verdun. He was posthumously awarded the DSC and is buried at the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery.

Next month, I'm going to visit his grave and was hoping to take a small amount of soil from Rice Lake that I could scatter on his grave as a token of remembrance after 95 years. I've made some calls to Rice Lake H.S., the VFW post, etc., looking for someone who could send me a small amount of soil taken from somewhere in Rice Lake. Promises of return calls, but no calls. Maybe they think I'm crazy or odd.

Anyway, any Barron County folks out there?

Hi Jean,
I live about an hour from Rice Lake. Are you needing this in October. I won't be able to get to Rice Lake until the 1st week of October, so if that would work out for you...I would be glad to send what you need. Do you want dirt or some sand from the beach. Just let me know. Sandy

Oh wow! Thank you, Sandy! We leave Oct. 14th. If it doesn't work out at your end, I'll understand completely.

I don't know Rice Lake at all, but a couple of spoonfuls of dirt from any public place (high school, park, etc.) would be great.

If you email me, I'll send you a physical address.

74ami88
at
gmail.com

Thank you, again!

Hi Jean,

I live just 12 miles from Rice Lake and go there at least 2 times a week (shop there). If you'd like something sooner or Sandy can't get it for you, just let me know. I'd be happy to do this for you. And I know where the VFW is
PamT

Oh, thank you PamT! Perhaps you could save Sandy an unnecessary trip. If you wouldn't mind...

Just send me an email at the address in my earlier post.

Thank you so much!! Posting here was my last-chance idea, but Fodorites are such a great group of people.

BTW, one line of my family tree lived in the Rice Lake/Chippewa Falls area for about 85 years. After my great-uncle was killed, his parents (my g-grandparents) couldn't bear to live there anymore and moved to California, followed by my grandparents. Other family members stayed in Bloomer and Spooner for another generation or two.

Email is on its way.....

This is one of the many reasons I love Fodor's! What a great story and I do hope you will post a trip report! WOW.

I know, willowjane. I think I'm almost as excited that a Fodorite is participating in this quest as I am in getting some dirt!!

I know, willowjane. I think I'm almost as excited that a Fodorite is participating in this quest as I am in getting some dirt!!

Hi Jean, Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you....but it looks like you found someone else that lives closer to answer to your request. Pam....thank you so much for stepping up for Jean. Take care and have a wonderful trip! I'll check back for how your trip went!

Thanks, sandy. The wonderful PamT has already accomplished the mission!

My pleasure! Hope your package arrived safely and have a wonderful trip! It was nice to "talk" (e-mail) to you
PamT

PamT, I sent you an email but can't be sure you received it...

Anyway, we did it! Despite all the drama of the government shutdown, we arrived at the cemetery to find there were no gates to keep us out. There was also nobody in the entire place except two gardeners and us. Thankfully, I had written down the grave location info, or we'd still be there wandering the hundreds of rows.

Thanks so much for your contribution to my pilgrimage.

J

Got your email and I'm so glad it all worked out for you! Happy to help!
PamT

Auf Wiedersehen!

This is quite late, Jean..but I just came across this today, since I have some fond memories of Rice Lake and vicinity from back in 1951.

At any rate, my purpose in writing you is to salute you for the beautiful gesture you had planned and had followed through. You are to be commended. Many of us seem to overlook WW I. I tried to remedy this in my latest historical fiction novel, by dedicating two entire chapters to 1917-1918 and USA's vital contribution. My protagonist is a Lt. of Detectives at NYPD and suddenly/mysteriously joins the army in 1916, a full year or more before our entry into the war. With his high ranking law enforcement career, he was sought after by the military as it was slowly building it's officer corp for eventually fighting in Europe..etc etc. He's assigned to the famous Fighting 69th NY regiment and reports to none other than Wild Bill Donovan, who later, in the early stages of WWII establishes the O.S.S., forerunner to the CIA. Both men become bemedalled heroes of battles in the Meuse-Argonne. Their air cover came from the 103rd Aero Squadron, commanded by the famous ace Eddie Rickenbacker.

Not to bore you any further, again, as an old army veteran, I'm so very proud of you and your poignant act of remembrance. Surely, you are blessed, Jean.

stu tower

Thank you, Stu. Our visit to the grave was perfect.

When we left home, the whole government shut-down thing was going on, and we weren't sure if we'd be able to enter the cemetery. As it turned out, there were no gates to keep us out. For about 30 minutes, we were the only people other than groundskeepers inside the cemetery. The place is visually stunning.

I don't know how the graves are arranged or if there was even a plan, but it was very moving to see that many men buried near my great-uncle died on or about the same day as he did. Knowing each one of these grave markers had a story behind it was emotional.

Good luck with your book!