Memory Gardens Inc

For 76 years, a Rogue Valley family has waited to learn what happened to one of four children lost during World War II.U.S. Army Pfc. Dale W. Ross’ life remained a mystery after being pronounced missing in action in the Solomon Islands. But on Saturday, that title was finally removed as Private Ross was brought home and laid to rest at the Memory Gardens Memorial Park.Over 7,000 stories lay in this garden but only one had a journey like this.“He was a really ambitious guy, good runner,” said Dale W. Ross, the nephew and namesake of Private Ross. “One of the stories – he was a runner in the Army taking a message. That’s when he got killed.”One of four brothers from Ashland Private Ross went missing in 1943 during the Battle of Mt. Austen in Guadalcanal.76 years later, his family finally received the words they had been waiting for.“It was very hard to believe to start with,” said Ross. “It took a while for me to accept that it wasn’t a hoax.”After so long, Ross’ remains and dog tags were found in 2017 by an eight-year-old named Willie on Guadalcanal. Willie and a guardian attended Saturday’s service.Once one of nearly 73,000 currently missing, Ross finally came home to rest in the family plot. He was invited to be laid to rest in Arlington Cemetery in Washington D.C. but his family turned down the offer.“We happen to have extra spaces here and he’s with his other brothers and his mother,” said Ross.A remarkable story for one family but a reminder that others may not get that chance.“We’re lucky to have this MIA status removed but there are thousands, tens of thousands of families that won’t get this,” said Ross. “So we need to honor them too.”In a garden with 7,000 stories, this one stands out as a sign of hope for those still waiting to come home.Private Ross received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, posthumously. His name is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.His name will now be marked with a rosette to indica...

Mark Atterson comes from a legacy of military family.He, his brother and father all served.His father, private Lloyd Atterson received the honors he should’ve been given 46 years ago on Saturday."My dad was a hard man. He didn’t show too much affection. I don’t ever remember him telling me he loved me, except the day that he died," said Mark Atterson.Private Atterson died in 1973, but wasn’t given his military honors back then which always haunted his son mark.“It got to the point where it bothered me. I found out that that same year that he died apparently there was a fire in the military repository in St. Louis and his records were part of the ones that were destroyed," said Mark Atterson.It led him to do his own research.“I remembered that he had gone to the VA hospital in Indianapolis for some treatment and U notified them and they had a copy of his military discharge.”After he got the proof he needed he reached out to Crestview Memory Gardens where his father his buried.It was a no brainier for them to make the day as memorable and special for this veteran.“Veterans are the most important members of our community. They have paid the ultimate sacrifice in many ways, not just those who have lost their life but those who have volunteered to put themselves in harms way. We want to make sure we always honor them and commemorate that service," said Randy Nash General Manager of Crestview Memory Garden.It's a day that mark Atterson and his wife Rita will always hold dear.“They went above and beyond my expectations, as far as giving him these military honors and recognition. And not to mention the folded flag,and taps and it’s just really overwhelming.Very moving, very touching to know that after all this time, 40 some years later my dad was given his honor.”Mr. Atterson’s brother Larry who passed away in April was also honored during the ceremony.Please note: This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this artic...