“Love Laurie”

Gifts between us extend beyond our death - take Cpl. Thomas “Cotton” Jones who received a diary from Laura Mae Davis before he went off to World War II. He wrote about his life in combat and about his love for her. He wrote if he died in combat, she receive the diary back – with his words in it.

Jones was killed in battle and Davis did receive his diary, but not until decades later when the journal was on display in a museum and she went to see the exhibit. Read story.

War is mysterious in its reasons and in its details of combat. Jones wrote about his life at war, but often he wrote about his love for Laurie and the letters from her and his family, words he carried in his heart. Now - 70 years later – Laurie carries his words with her.

Words filled with love, words nothing – not even war – can destroy.

(Photo of Catherine Johnston’s father, Don Johnston, in his United States Marine Corps days)