My Mom is a great source of our family history. In fact she has compiled a couple of books on our family. I'm glad she took the time to put it on paper for the next generation.
I'll write more on that later, but since this is Memorial Day weekend, I would like to pass on a little military history.
I come from a long line of military, but I haven't been fortunate enough to sit down and talk to many of my uncles or aunts about their military careers.
I come from a long line of military, but I haven't been fortunate enough to sit down and talk to many of my uncles or aunts about their military careers.
My nephew is currently an E-6, serving in the 101st. T.J served two tours in Iraq. and one tour in Afghanistan. His current duty station is Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Another nephew, Marc, retired in 2014, after 20 years in the Navy. Both of them make my 10 years look like a vacation, so I have to thank them for their dedication and service to our country.
Several of my uncles served in WWII, but I was not fortunate enough to hear their stories.
My father served in the U.S. Army, as an Ordinance Specialist. He was never deployed and eventually received a hardship discharge so he could help our ailing grandfather, on the family farm.
My father-in-law is a WWII veteran of the Pacific Campaign, but he doesn't like to talk about it. As a vet, I understand, but that also helped us connect. He and I have spent several hours talking about his experiences in WWII.
He was in the 81st Infantry Division, aka Wildcat Division. His first stop OCONUS (Outside Continental United States), was Australia. He island hopped to New Guinea, New Caledonia, and then Peleliu for Operation Stalemate II.
The 81st Division fought alongside the 1st Marine Division. The battle lasted for two months and the National Museum of the Marine Corp called it "the bitterest battle of the war for the Marines".
He is a member of the "Greatest Generation" and should be considered a hero. He was a resident of the local nursing home at the age of 94, when he passed Thank you, Estelle, for your sacrifice and service. Thank you for providing us with the freedom that most of us take for granted.
