So many of you have been following the story of my friend Gerry who went missing while hiking at the end of July. You've generously offered to share her story and pray for her. Some of you requested that I keep you up to date on the progress of the search. It is with a heavy heart that I share this letter from her loving husband George.
All,
The attached article provides all the stats and details on yesterday's final
exhaustive search which did not find Gerry. The professional search and rescue
folks are, in their words and like all of us, BAFFLED. They have done
EVERYTHING HUMANLY POSSIBLE......and beyond.
A much smaller scale search an investigation will be ongoing. 2:15 p.m. today
will be two weeks since I last had contact from Gerry (a text). The last photo
we have of her was from 7:15 a.m., also two weeks ago, from a fellow camper at
a shelter. It is QUINTESSENTIAL GERRY, huge smile, backpack ready to go,
couldn't wait to get on the trail for day 2 of a 3 day hike.
As for my FAMILY: --my daughter Kerry, her husband Ryan and I will fly to
Nashville late tomorrow morning. Our son Ryan is already back in California.
Gerry's sister Anita is heading back to Maryland today.
--if desired or helpful, my contact info: George D. Largay, c/o Bauchieros, 514
Dekemont Lane, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027.
Email is glargay2010@gmail.com. I will be staying with
my daughter, two grandkids and son in law Ryan Bauchiero for the foreseeable future.
As I came to this decision, I used as the litmus test "what would Gerry
do?" That made it far easier. She would say "get on with life with
those grand-babies." After 42 years of a marriage that comes as close to
perfection or Heaven on Earth as possible, I am very comfortable knowing that
is what she would want me to do.
At some point, we remain hopeful that they will find Gerry so that we can have
closure on this tragedy. I do take comfort that she was where she wanted to be
doing what she wanted to do with every fiber of her body.....a "bucket
list" hike of the Appalachian Trail.
Thank you for your prayers, comfort and support in our/my time of GREATEST
NEED. Please share this information with others as you deem appropriate.
George
Link to the news story: http://www.sunjournal.com/news/maine/2013/08/04/no-new-clues-search-missing-hiker-search-scaled-ba/1403223#.Uf960ACYj4Q.email
Sharing Gerry's story could possibly lead to the discovery of new information, so please, if you think you might know anyone who has had contact with hikers along that section of the Appalachian Trail any time this summer, please pass along this information. For the sake of Gerry's family, any information would be helpful at this point.
Diane
My heart is breaking. My father is Missing in Action in Vietnam and has been for over forty years, so I can relate to needing closure. I will keep praying.
ReplyDeleteWhat a terrible tragedy this family and all friends like you have to endure. Thoughts and prayers their way.
ReplyDeletexxx
So tragic! It's just hard to imagine...I'm so sorry for her family and friends, including you. God Bless.
ReplyDeleteHow horrible for all of you. Hugs and prayers to you and her family.
ReplyDeleteSo very sad. I'm glad she was doing something she loved.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad, tragic thing to have happened to this family. Will continue to lift up prayers that she will be found.
ReplyDeleteThinking of you, and those close to your friend.
ReplyDelete