These are parts of e-mails from Rodney`s Family
July 27, 2000
My name is Becky Roat Reilly and my older brother was Rodney Roat. I am writing to say thank you for so many things; thank you for being there with Rod, thank you for starting a web site, without which, I would never have known about you and Echo Company. A cousin, Dale Roat, discovered your web site and emailed the information to me this week. I have read all of your web site and viewed all the pictures, I am profoundly grateful. Your web site has evoked a multitude of emotions in the last 24 hours, my sadness is mixed with some closure that I had never expected. My father would've really appreciated all of your information, things he tried to learn on his own without success. Unfortunately, my father died in 1989 from cancer, he was a W.W.II veteran.
One of Jim Toney's pictures contains as unidentified person, it truly looks like Rod to me, and it took my breath away. If you can confirm this I would really appreciate it. A copy of the real picture would be treasured, let me know how to get one if it is Rod in the picture. I am truly proud of my brother and all of you who served in Vietnam. You were all so young, so far from home and loved ones, living and dealing with such horrific things, I hope you, too, are proud. I am grateful to you for being with Rod on February 26 and 27, 1968. Since he was in Vietnam such a short time you were unable to really get to know him, he was a good person and has been dearly missed for the last 32 years. Any information you may have, other than what is on your Web site, that you could share would be deeply appreciated. Sincerely,
Becky Roat Reilly
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Date: Fri, Jul 28, 2000
Thank you for answering my email so soon. Although I think of my brother often, this has been very overwhelming for me. Thank you for telling me that Rod didn't suffer, there is comfort in knowing that. If you'd like to put my letter on your web site I would be honored. Your web site is on my Favorites list so I will be hitting on it to see what is new. My family and I visited the Vietnam Wall while in Washington, DC a few years ago. It was a very moving and emotional experience, I'd like to go back someday.
God Bless you and thank you for all you've done. Becky Roat Reilly
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Date: Sun, Jul 30, 2000
The power of the Internet is unbelievable, isn't it? You never thought you'd hear from Rod's family, well, never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be communicating with someone who had been with him in Vietnam. I'm still totally amazed by this whole situation. I hope your life has been good, you deserve it. Rod is in Jim Toney's picture #1, I am sure it is him. It, also, looks just like my 17 year old son! This was confirmed by someone who thought it was my son!! I've always suspected that my son resembles my brother, they, also, have the same fun personalities! Keep in touch.
Sincerely, Becky Roat Reilly
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Mon, Jul 31, 2000
This is such a wonderful thing you have done for everyone who was in your company. It is no doubt long over due that all of you share your experiences. This must, also, be keeping you busy, as more find your web site you may have to come out of retirement!! Thank you for your quick response to all of my emails. It may turn out that the picture is not of Rod, it that is the case I can handle that, just let me know. I will really treasure this picture as I have no pictures of him, so please thank everyone for me. Let me know of any and all expenses that are incurred so I can reimburse whomever. Knowing that this has all been on your mind for so many years really disturbs me, I am so sorry, that is a real burden for you to carry. I am glad that my brother has not been forgotten though. I, also, find ironic that it is modern technology that has connected me to my brother again, it is so amazing. This is a good thing you have done. I hope it is helpful for all of you, you all deserve it. Sincerely, Becky Roat Reilly
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Mon, Aug 14, 2000, 6:13pm Subject: Thanks for the pictures To: DocMcClain@webtv.net
Dear Ron, Received your envelope today, thank you so very much. I am so grateful for all that you and others have done to make this possible. I went to your web site yesterday and saw that you have identified Rod in the picture, that is so nice, thank you. God bless you, you are a good person doing a good thing. Most sincerely, Becky R Reilly |
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I`d like to give special thanks to to Jim Toney and Jerry Weiner for making the above possible. Thanks guys!
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