Final Mission

About the Book

Final Mission is the true story about Rob and Sharon Sander’s five year journey to uncover the mystery of the final resting place of Rob’s uncle who was killed on his 50th and last mission over Vienna, Austria during WWII. Beginning with nothing but a faded picture of Uncle Bobby in his flight suit, which bares an uncanny resemblance to Rob, the search led them across seven states and two continents. Over the course of several years, personal interviews with surviving crew members and letters written home from Uncle Bob, assisted them in piecing together the chronology of events that would eventually lead to their goal. As information unfolded, Sharon began to experience visions and dreams affirming that they were on the right path. Emphasizing the importance of love, remembrance and the healing needed for families and souls subject to the devastation of war, the reader will share as they find themselves compelled to honor not just one fallen hero, but over four hundred thousand fallen heroes. It is a story that challenged their own spiritual beliefs and brought to the forefront the possibility of reincarnation and ones ability to recognize divine guidance through coincidence and synchronicity. The Cape Cod Times, a local daily newspaper, chronicled their trip to Nuepre, Belgium in May, 2001, as the first family members to ever hold a full military and religious service for one soldier at the Ardennes. Later, it received two first place awards for best human interest story of the year by the New England Press Associates and the New England Associated Press Newspapers Editors Association. It is Rob and Sharon’s greatest hope that “Final Mission” will reach out to as many as possible, bringing forth Uncle Bob’s message to remember the price paid and the sacrifice given, that future generations would live in peace.

About the Author

Born in Groton, Massachusetts, Sharon Moved to Cape Cod in 1987 after the birth of her first child.  As the proud mother of two sons and a daughter she wrote her first children’s story, ‘The Lonely Little Christmas Tree’ in 1992.  Confronted by divorce a few years later, she fulfilled her dream of becoming a registered nurse when she graduated from Cape Cod Community College in 1995.  After marrying her second husband, Rob, a firefighter and paramedic, she spent the next few years working toward her goal of becoming a critical care nurse.  In 1999, the same year she accepted a position in the emergency room of a local hospital , she ventured with her husband on a life altering quest  to uncover the mystery of his uncle’s final resting place.  After five years of research and an emotional journey to Belgium, she found herself  torn between the career she had worked so hard for and what seemed to be a compulsive desire to tell their story.  Eventually, fate stepped in by closing certain doors and opening others allowing her the time to complete their novel.  Even though she struggled with the idea of taking on such a tiresome and at times agonizing task she managed to complete what her husband has lovingly referred to as their ‘Final Mission’.