This is a story of how love finds its way through the turmoil of war and fate was the only victor in their lives. This is the story of a young man born in small town America who married his true love who also lived in that same small town.

          The story starts out when a boy named Ron was born one cold day in the town of South River in February, 1947. In four years another child was born to a family in South River on a cool fall day in September 1951. They named her Joan. Little did anyone know that destiny was also born on that day. It was a destiny that sealed the fate of both Ron and Joan. Ron grew up not knowing that when he got older his life was destined find its way to Joan’s heart.

          Ron went to school in South River and so did this girl named Joan. They were several years apart in school because of the age difference. Ron and Joan were unaware of each other even though they only lived a short distance from each other. In fact that short distance was about 200 feet.

          When Ron graduated from South River High School, Joan only began high school. It was at this time that an event in Ron’s life happened. It was this event that put Ron on a path were the two were the ultimately cross.

          The event was a letter addressed to Mr. Ronald F. Uler. It came in August of 1966 and it was from the United States Army. The U.S. Army wanted Ron to serve in the U.S. Army. Ron left his South River, New Jersey home to begin his army duties in Fort Dix, New Jersey. Ron wanted to be one of the best that he could be in the army. That meant extensive training in various areas starting at Fort Carson in Colorado. Then on to Fort Benning Georgia and Fort Brag North Carolina and back again to Fort Carson. All this time that girl named Joan was home attending to school and growing up too.

          In 1967 Ron receives another letter from Uncle Sam saying your presence and special training is needed in Vietnam. Joan is still going to High School at this time and Ron to war in Vietnam. In 1968 Ron is in Vietnam for a few months already and Joan is in High School with a lot of other people getting names of soldiers who are over in Vietnam fighting in a war. They are choosing names from a list of boys who went to South River High School and now 10,000 miles away in Vietnam. Joan goes through the list of all the boys out there and picks Ron’s name, is it coincidence, fate, or just Ron’s lucky day? Whatever it was Ron was happy it happened to him.

          Joan made up a care package and letter to send out to Ron to brighten up his day and let him know someone out there cares about our soldiers. Joan continued a steady flow of letters and pictures from home. Ron wrote letters and sent pictures back to Joan. As time went on both Joan and Ron shared their thoughts and dreams with each other and were planning a future dream of being together in life.

          Joan was expecting Ron to complete his tour of duty on October 11 of 1968, but Ron got out a bit earlier and came home on the 3^rd. Ron can remember driving to Joan’s house, knocking on her door and seeing her in her rollers. Joan did not expect Ron, and she did not know what to do because she was in rollers, but to Ron she was the most beautiful girl he ever seen. Joan  ended up taking her rollers out that night and they went for a ride and did a lot of talking that night.

          Joan was now a senior at South River High School, and Ron out of the Army working at a plant in the next town. Joan would go to school and Ron will drive up in his 1968 Corvette making the schools windows shake, letting her know he is there waiting to take her home. Joan and Ron spent many nights on dates together, getting to know each other better. Class night came for Joan the summer of 1969.

          On that summer night as Joan and Ron were sitting in his car, Ron asked the most important question of his life, “Will you marry me”. Joan looked shocked, but gave him the best answer he ever wanted to hear “Yes”.

          Joan and Ron returned to her house to tell her parents what had happened, but Joan did not know Ron already told her parents what he was going to do earlier that day. That was one of the greatest and best days for Joan and Ron so far in life. Joan and Ron plan their wedding which was going to take place on May 16, 1970.

          That day did come, and Joan was the most beautiful bride in the world, and Ron the luckiest man in the world ever. A Honeymoon to Florida was in the cards, and they were two newlyweds in love and happy with each other. I guess the Honeymoon was full of love, because nine months after the wedding Joan and Ron became the proud parents of a son, Ron. Ron was a baby who loved to keep everyone up with his crying. As he got older and started to grow up he became a joy to be around. He was born on February 13, 1971

          On October 21, 1975 they had another blessing in their life. That blessing was a daughter. The girl was named Jennifer.  This made   Joan and Ron’s family complete.

          Ron, who they called Ronnie K grew up to be a great man. He was a best friend to his mother Joan, caring and very thoughtful son to her. He was a man who his dad Ron considers a person who helps around the house with things his dad  can no longer do. Jennifer, better known as Jenn, gave Joan and Ron, Tyler their one and only Grandson. Ronnie K, Jenn, and Tyler are the loves in Joan and Ron’s life and their reason to live.

          Joan came down with a few problems  the past few years. Cancer was a very big strain in her life, but every day she, Ron, and her children are dealing with it and moving to beat it. Joan will beat it, so her and Ron can continue this story that has been started over 67 years ago. Joan and Ron have made it to 44 years of marriage as of this day, May 16, 2014, and someday the story will be added to in the coming years. Many, many years from now, when they are older and grayer, this Ron promises. If you look at the beginning of the story all the way to the last line, both Ron and Joan had all the reasons and faith to be where they are today, married and together and in love. Happy Anniversary and Love Always…..     

                                                  The End For Now                                         

          December 6, 2014 Joan lost her battle with cancer and has moved to her place in heaven. We both tried our hardest to beat this and cure her of this thing that wanted to destroy the wonderful life we had for so many years. Her pain, suffering, and death we could not overcome as much and as hard we tried. God must have needed her more than me, but that is so hard to believe, because I love her and I know in my heart, I need her more. This story will only be complete someday when I meet that girl in heaven again…….