"At the tomb of the dead the regimental chaplain vouched the fact that the departed soldier communed every Sunday of his army life.
"In civil life, before entering the call of selectiveness, his worth and devoutness was well known to a large circle of friends. His military associations were none the less extensive and tender.
"It was while doing his duty, along lines of communication as a member of the Battery Commander's Detail, on the range at La Courtine, that he fell a victim to pneumonia, resulting in early demise.
"There are many incidents connected with the life of our fallen soldier and friend that could be extolled. But those who knew him need no words. His life shines out as a true beacon.
"The boys of the battery in which he served bow in heartfelt sympathy to his wife, parents, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends. He died, but his death has not been in vain. His spirit lives to cheer his comrades on to greater deeds of patriotism. His loved ones at home can be proud of 'Al.' He died every inch a man and patriotic to the core.
"His grave was not neglected. The boys tenderly sodded its mound and placed a wreath of holly, plucked from the hills of Creuse, where he last trained. The grave is marked with a wooden cross, on which is inscribed his name, rank, and command, and to which is attached the soldier's identification disc.
"It is Grave No. 84 in the American cemetery, situated on a gentle slope of one of the picturesque hills of Creuse province, overlooking Camp La Courtine."
In the moment of laying aside the uniform there surged through the heart of every member of Battery D emotions too deep for words.
The rainy days and mud of France were at last a thing of the past. Yes, truly a thing of the past to those staunch comrades who survived not the ordeal to return home.
Those who survived and returned home, have had an invaluable experience. With memories of those experiences there will always linger the thoughts and associations of departed comrades.
As battery members they all toiled together in France for a common cause. All shared the common thought of seeing the war period through bravely, then to return home, bigger, better and stronger as a soldier-citizen.