My father, Gerald "Jerry" Mann served in WWII & in the Korean War, as a cryptographer. He was very proud of his military service & wrote his military memoir while he was homebound with ALS. He was diagnosed with ALS in the spring of 2008 & he lost his battle with the disease in February of 2011. He was grateful that the VA service connection for the disease allowed him to remain at home. My dad was a kind & gentle man. He bore his illness & the increasing losses it entailed with astounding bravery & patience. My brother & I are honored to have had him with us for so long. We miss him.