Craig Gleason

From Tom Jones in Oklahoma  City, he is the son of Harmon Jones (Ervins father) brother
Thomas Ed Jones who retired from U.S. Army in 1964 after 30 something years as
medic - served in Battle of Bulge!:
 
"That is something to be proud of, very unexpected. And it is a darned good song to boot!
Craig did a good job there, reminds me a lot of Bob Dylan who I love. I am ordering enough
CDs for my family and I hope Denny gets to hear it too. I know you will tell him, Dennis.
Going to the URL below lets you hear the whole track uninterrupted.  Yeh, I could record
it, but I can’t  cheat Craig after thanking him for the honor he has done."

Craig,

1st off I would like to introduce myself as a proud member of the Jones family, Ervin was my
great uncle. Although I never knew him he was always a hero to me. Curtis lives not far from
me and has been dear to me all of my life. I know what you have done to honor Ervin is probably
one of the best things that has ever happened to Curtis. Harmon Jones, Ervin and Curti's father
 used to tell me stories of them 2 when I was very young. I think his heart was forever broken
by what happened to Ervin, rightfully so.
I just want to thank you personally for honoring Ervin. I was in my parents truck on the way
back from the beach with my family when my dad told me how you came to write the song, when
he played the song for me I teared up, as I am doing now. I have sat and stared at his grave
a many of times over the years when paying my respects to he and other family members.
My father, John R Jones was raised by Ervin's parents and has told me many stories that he
was shared about Ervin as well. Dad followed Ervin's lead and went to Vietnam as a green beret
in the army so duty to our country is no stranger in my family. Thank you once again for what
you have done, I can tell you are a fine person.

Johnny V Jones
Canton, GA

Thank you so much for this. From the time I was old enough to understand, I have
heard stories abou Ervin (my brother is named after him), but this song brings tears to my eyes.
Now, more than ever this nation needs to remember and value its veterans; especially boys like
Ervin who sacrificed not only their own lives but the children they would have had and the
contributions those children would have made to this country. Each and every one of those white
tombstones represents not only the veteran buried there, but generations of descendants.
Therefore, this song not only pays tribute to Ervin Jones but to the generations of Americans
sacrificed, by him, for the cause of freedom.

Dennis E. Jones,
Columnist Columbia County News-Times
149-B Petersburg Circle
Martinez,Georgia 30907

From John Jones:

At the time it was common for the body to be placed in the living room of residences for
visitation prior to burial. I believe it was a family choice and the practice eventually
ended, however I personally served as a Sgt in charge of an honor guard/burial detail in
residences in North Alabama/Tennessee/Mississippi as late as Feb 1969. When Ervins body
was returned from Okinawa in 1949 it was placed in the living room by his military escort/honor
guard and his dog Sport (black pit bulldog) who had never been allowed in the house broke in via
way of the screen door and laid down under the coffin until it was removed for the trip up
Jones Bridge road to Pleasant Hill cemetary at the intersection of Jones Bridge Road and
Old Alabama Road. Nobody was going to remove him and any doubt as to whose remains were in
that closed coffin were removed forever by his actions! Sport followed the hearse to the cemetary and placed himself near the grave until the ceremony was over! I understand he visited the
grave site up until his death on a daily basis.

Wonderful ballad! Reminded me of Georgia and how proud I am of my Jones heritage. We have and
wide military and southern history and you captured both. My son will love listening to this!
Thank you again for such a tribute to one of our boys.

Angela Jones