My mother died several months ago. She was originally from Kinston, N.C.

During World War II, she fell in love with a Marine from Butler who was stationed at Camp Lejeune, N.C. His name was Richard Johnson Wehr, and he was killed on the island of Guadalcanal in 1942.

My mother, all these years later, kept the telegram bringing the news of his death (his remains never were found), his St. Christopher medal, along with a military dog tag with his name on it.

It is not a dog tag like the military issues today.

Richard's mother was Barbara Wehr, and I was able to locate her last known location, which was the Veterans Administration Hospital in Butler, where she died in 1993 at the age of 101. She had formerly lived on Brady Street in Butler.

I would very much like to locate any known relatives of Richard, in order to present them with his belongings.

To my knowledge, he was an only child.

I, of course, never met him, and my children never would feel the attachment that I have had through the years, having heard the stories about this man.

He received the Purple Heart after his death, and a memorial is located in Manila, capital of the Philippines, honoring him and other troops for their bravery during this time of World War II.

If it were me, I would feel very proud to receive what is left of a soldier who gave the ultimate gift for his country so that we might remain free.

My home telephone number is 910-484-3686. My e-mail address is hsb52@earthlink.net.