To those men and women who have served honorably I offer my most heartfelt thanks and great respect.
To those currently serving in harm's way I pray you are soon safely in the arms of your family.
I hope we can all work toward a day when parents are not called away from spouses and children such as was the case in my family and is now the case in so many military families.
Pop-pop (paternal grandfather), Dad (younger boy), and Uncle T. Pop-pop enlisted during WW2. The story goes that when he left my grandmother's hair was brown. By the time he returned it was white. There is some photographic evidence to the story.
Grampop (maternal grandfather), Mom, Uncle J. Grampop was drafted during WW2. He returned home with half a foot blown off and more than a few emotional scars.
22 comments:
It's so great to have those pictures, isn't it Lime?
One of my grandfathers served in WWI and almost died from the pneumonia that was rampant at that time. I'm glad to say that he lived to be 93 years old!
Thanks to all those past and present who have served.
We were fortunate. Although my Dad served his only active duty was states side. But I none the less appreciate all that the men and women of our nation have went through to protect our nation, our people and all the sacrifice they, and their families have made.
It is a shame we have to have a day to honor our veterans as this is something that should be happening 365 days a year.
Thank you for sharing the story and the pictures and for the wonderful reminder of what a special day it is for the folks here in the states.
Those pictures are priceless. You must feel so much pride when it comes to both of your grandfathers and all that they, and their (your) families had to endure so that we can live the life we have always dreamed of.
Salute!!!!
Thanks to ALL who have served, past an present and thanks to you, Michelle, for this poignant tribute to your family members who served. I hope we are never again confronted by anything close to what past generations of Americans faced in WWI and WWII. I see little evidence that we would have the courage or national resolve that our parents and grandparents had to take on such challenges today. I'm a bit saddened by that because I believe that a part of honoring those who served in the past should be the willingness to sacrifice as they did if necessary in our time -- and I just can't envision it happening if, God forbid, we were called upon to do so. Regardless, we should all be thankful for those who have willingly given so much so we can still enjoy living in the greatest, most prosperous, freest nation the world have ever seen. I hope it will always be so!
very nice tribute from you amiga. i need to see my grandfather whom is in the VA home in Philly. these days, the former master sergeant from WWII and Korea likes hitting on nurses.
My dad was in an artillery unit in Europe during WWII. Which, all things considered, wasn't as bad as it might have been, since artillery generally stayed several miles behind the actual front lines. But he did get strafed a few times, and during the Bulge, the front lines got considerably closer to his position than they usually were. . .
I don't know if it's because he grew up on a farm, or because he lived thru the Depression, or because of his war experience, but my dad has always had this incredible, solid competence about him - I never saw anything fluster him, and the magnitude of the tasks he was willing to tackle just blows my mind. I know that I'm not, and never will be, even half the man he is, and that worries me, just a little, sometimes. . .
You have a rad old time photo collection, Lime!
Have a good day.
Great photos and great people your granddads. It just seems to me that that generation had balls! I am fascinated with WWII...so many stories yet to be told.
Please go to my blog and listen to a song I posted via utube. In memory of the vets/heros. A Canadian friend posted it to my facebook and I thought it needed to be shared. :)
God bless them all.
My family has been lucky enough to have generations that more-or-less skipped over the time periods of our worst fighting. That is, Grandfather too young for World War I, Dad too young for WWII (although he served during Korea), and me just missing Vietnam.
May God bless all of those who gave of their lives and limbs to protect us and keep us free.
I look forward to the day when the brave men and women who VOLUNTEER to protect this country are not called upon to protect American Corporate interests in other countries that pose no immediate threat to the US...these men and women deserve greater respect than that...
Such a wonderful post! :) wonderful pictures and memories. It truly is an amazing day to say thank you to those that fight for our freedom. :)
Hugs!
Such a wonderful post! :) wonderful pictures and memories. It truly is an amazing day to say thank you to those that fight for our freedom. :)
Hugs!
Thanks you. :-)
Lovely Post Ms Lime :)
XO
Did my service in the army and wouldn't take anything for it but if I had to do it over again I'd do Air Force. Great post and thanks.
God Bless those past and present!
We can never repay what we owe to these brave men and women. Forever grateful.
My dad's nursing home had a lovely ceremony for all the residents who are veterans. My dad received a plaque with his Army picture on it, years of service, and awards received written on it. Not sure if he grasped it completely, but he surely was grasping that plaque pretty tightly. :)
when we stop remembering, we start repeating. i hope we never forget.
Amazing post, thank you. Tess' grandfather fought at the bridge that Saving Private Ryan was loosely based on (the bridge battle actually happened). He was hit in the face with shrapnel but was still one of the last of his unit with a free hand to keep fighting. They wrapped him up and he did keep going. The shrapnel was left in his jaw afterwards and he spent the rest of his life burrowed in his jaw. All of the above stories are amazing.
Both Dave and I have family members who have served~ going way, way back. Personally and sadly, I don't see enough respect given to those who serve our country.
Wonderful post, Lime. A sentiment shared by so many Beautifully expressed.
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