my reply

I quickly replied to Ted's email. I was amazed that he had written the
memoir in hopes that someone from John Seaton's family would read it.
So, I wanted to give him that connection he'd waited for!

Here is my reply:

Dear Mr. Goodwin,

Yes, you may call me "Margie!" Your email today has brought me
such joy! As I began this search a month or so ago, I never thought I'd
actually find someone who "knew" my Great Uncle Jack. And yet, here
we are, connecting across generations and living in the same state!
(at least I'm assuming you're still in Oregon) Your personal stories
about Jack, training, and Germany quench my thirst for information
we've been starved for. Thank you for making yourself available in
this way. I can't thank you enough.

My Grandma Margaret Seaton (for whom I'm named) married my
Grandpa, Cleland Mitchell, and they moved to Washington State,
where they had 4 children. My Mom, Ginger, is their youngest, and
she was born in 1946, the only one of my Grandma's kids to not have
met Uncle Jack. My parents were married in 1966, having met at
Washington State University. My Mom was from Pasco, WA, and my
Dad is a local, from Battle Ground, WA. As for my direct family, I
have a sister who lives in Roseburg, OR with her husband and 2 boys,
and a brother, who is currently living in Maryland with his new bride.
My husband, Jason is a former Army soldier, having served in the
Reserves and National Guard from 1987 until 1995. I was an Army
wife for 1 year. :) My Mom's brother, John Mitchell (who is named for
John Seaton) served the Army in 2 wars (Vietnam and the Gulf War),
and John's son Tim Mitchell is awaiting deployment with Special
Forces in January. In my living room hangs a painting by Theodora
Seaton, John's mother. She turned to painting in her grief of losing
her son and husband in the same year, and became quite a talented
painter. Well, I'm sure my Mom can say so much more to you about
the Seatons. She would love to email you directly, as she has such a
soft spot in her heart for her Mom's favorite brother. I will copy this
to her, and if it's okay with you, she can contact you as well. She has
many memories from the Montana farm where Jack grew up.
My parents live in a suburb of Denver, Colorado, but will be visiting
Oregon in about 10 days. If it would be convenient and not too
intrusive, I know that they (and I) would absolutely love to meet you.

I'm attaching two photos I took today of a newspaper clipping of John
Seaton. Also, I'd like to attach a photo of my family from last
Christmas, just so you can see "us" as well. (I am in the back row on
the left in the red shirt) Behind us in the group photo you can see two
of Theodora Seaton's paintings.

Thank you again. I also want to take the opportunity to express my
deepest gratitude and respect for the sacrifice you and your family
madeduring World War 2, and have made over the years, as you
yourself have dealt with the ugliness of war and it's after-effect.
We will never be able to repay you and your fellow comrades for
the gift you have given our nation.

In sincere gratitude and joy,
Margie