Dear Denis Robillard; Thank you very much for your words of appreciation, they were like music to my ears, believe me. (Mozart :) And I know you don't mind my forwarding your e-mail to the list in order to preserve them in the mail list archives, perhaps some other Valentin SCHEID descendants will some day read all the postings to learn about him, and they'll find you and me. As you have read, my research had to come to an end, age, health, and my eyesight. It's bad enough if I have to sit in front of my computer screen with a magnifying glass in my hand to read incoming mail. But let me assure you that I had a wonderful time all these years while chasing Hessian soldiers, and it was my pleasure meeting you and so many other Hessian descendants during that time. Good luck to you in the future, and thanks again for remembering me. With my best regards John Helmut Merz ----- Original Message ----- From: denis robillard robipoet@hotmail.com To: Hessian@sympatico.ca Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 2004 3:12 PM Subject: Farewell and Thank you! Dear John: From time to time John, I like to sneak a peek back to the AmRev Hessian list to see if there are any other mentions of my ancestors name, Valentin Scheid. As you know, you were the one who opened the door to this ancestor of mine and allowed me to learn so much about my german ancestors and this often neglected segment of the Canadian population. We as descendents should be mighty proud and should continue to teach and instruct and inform others about the roles played by these soldiers in this fledgling country, that Canada was c. 1777. I would not have believed in my wildest dreams that after only 5 years of research and questions and gentle proding on the web sites and on the Amrev List that I would be able to amass enough information to produce a 80 page book on Valentin Scheid. It is truly a marvel and a miracle and I graciously and humbly take off my mitter hat to you Mr. Merz. Thanks ever so much for the time effort and passion that you have given to this site and to people in Canada. Your impact has been tremendous and beneficial, for me and countless others. It was with some sadnesss that I learned recently of your retirement. Health is not what it used to be, I would imagine. Your shoes will be large to fill. Good luck in your retirement and stay healthy please. I am very glad to have met you in person and to have learned the inroads of these marvellous stories. My next proect is to contribute some research to the Canadian Biography on some prominant Hessians from Quebec (my area of interest). John, I would like to send you a copy of my book, but you did not reply, so I am not even sure of your current address. I hope that you will respond. Take care and God Bless. Denis Robillard Windsor, Ontario