With Veteran's Day coming up tomorrow, I want to celebrate in a special way by dedicating this post to some of my relatives who have served their country. This is a difficult post for me to write as its very personal. Both my grandfathers were veterans of wars but they are no longer alive. I wasn't ever able to talk to them about their wartime experiences, but in honor of Veteran's Day, I'd like to share their stories.
My grandfather, Robert, just recently passed away two years ago this winter. He was a veteran of the Korean War and received the purple heart for being wounded in combat. While visiting family on vacation earlier this year, I found out that one of my aunts had a collection of his medals. He never spoke of his combat experience and I never asked him. He is buried in a veteran's cemetery near the town he lived in.
My other grandfather, Leonard, passed away a few years ago, and he was a veteran of World War 2. He was drafted by the military and saw combat on Okinawa. As far as I know, he never served any where else. Like Robert, he was wounded and received a purple heart, although no one knows where it is currently located. My grandpa also took home a couple of souvenirs, Japanese military swords that are now in the possession of two of my uncles.
Several of my uncles saw combat in Vietnam. I also had a great-grandpa who served in World War I. He saw combat in Marseilles, France but that's all I know about his experience. While visiting relatives on my vacation, I also found out that I have ancestors that fought in the Civil War, and maybe other wars as well. However, not much is known about them and I'm not aware of extensive research about our family history yet.
Overall, I am thankful for their dedication and sacrifice to this country. I'm proud of their service and want to keep their memories alive.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Honoring My Own Family History for Veteran's Day
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The fact that they didn't want to talk about these experiences actually says an awful lot.
ReplyDeleteDoug,
ReplyDeleteThat's very true! They saw and experienced things that affected them deeply. Things that maybe no one else in our family really understood.
The purple heart is our nations oldest decoration. It was first awarded by Washington himself. I am an odd duck, I have no relatives that fought in WWII but a few that fought in WWI.
ReplyDeleteTrestin,
ReplyDeleteThat's cool that you have relatives that fought in WWI. I think that WWI is too often overlooked. It shaped the world in profound ways.
Rebecca, thanks so much for your interesting and thoughtful post about your grandfathers. My Uncle Bob was a paratrooper in World War II. He almost never talked about it either, but he was never really the same. We should never forget or take for granted the costly sacrifices made by our loved ones for our freedom.
ReplyDeletefranceshunter,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments and sharing about your uncle! I agree - we should never forget their sacrifices and what it cost.
A nice post indeed. Okinawa, my Dad who's still living was there during his service. He was a Fighting Seabee (like John Wayne in one of those movies). My Dad's dad served in WWII. I have relatives on both side who fought in every war we had except Vietnam. My husband's side also had many who served. I believe he has 2 who fought in The Revolution, and a handful who fought in The Civil War. My side had several in The Civil War, War of 1812, and Revolution....old families.
ReplyDeleteI've done pretty extensive genealogy and it was truly fascinating to be able to put together some of their stories.
Sandy
Sandy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! It sounds like your family has quite a history. I'd love to do some extensive genealogical research on my family and see what other wars my relatives fought in and their stories too!
Back in town, thought I'd pop in to say hi. Sometimes my time is tight, but if you need any ideas about how, when etc when you decide to do your family research, sing out. Might be able to offer some help.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Sandy,
ReplyDeleteThanks for offering to help! I don't think I'll have time anytime soon to do the research but I'll keep you mind!