Dear Hessian Descendants; My suitcase is lying open on the floor. All around are stacks of this and that ready to be packed. The largest stack are your contributions in rememberance of your Hessian ancestors which I am proud to take to Germany and present them to the folks over there who invited me and expect to see me in person next week. I am so happy that you did not let me dow when I ask for some mementos, like pictures of Hessian plaques on ancestors and descendants gravestones. You did much better und gave me whole histories of your ancestors. Special thanks to Marie Fetzer for her Ruehrschneck picture, Bob Fetters for the dedication pictures of Henrich Hammer's gravesite, Bill Hawk for his Philipp Reges document, Beverly Aulick Schmitz for the beautiful Aulick presentation, Michael Derrow for his Albermarle documentation, and to all who helped me get things together. Sorry if I forgot to mention a name, I just hope that my suitcase takes it all and I am not too much over the weight limit. I might have to put some of the stuff in Pauli's baggage, because I also take my last Hessian Soldier plaque with me for Hammersbach, plus some extra books. I am really all excited, and I know that with my 'ol bones', it won't be easy, that's why I need Pauli's help. I am now going to sign off til the end of the month, and will report back after my return. Wish you all a good time, I am going to take it easy now. Yours John Helmut Merz and Pauli, my grandson helper.