Flashback Friday is here again. This week we are remembering Veteran's Day and any personal impact veterans and wars have had on our lives. To get the complete prompt make your way over to Linda’s at Mocha with Linda and see what she is jogging our memories with this week. Then remember to link up so we can all enjoy yours. 
My Dad was a WWII Army Veteran. He was in Germany. He never talked about it at all. I wish I would of asked him a few things. Looking through some old papers I found where he received his purple heart. He actually was shot in the foot by the enemy. I knew that he was shot but I thought it was an accident. After Dad had went to the nursing home one of the guys sent a picture to mom. It was of four of the guys standing outside a bunker and one of them is looking the other way. In his letter he said he had looked over towards some French men because they were hooping and hollering that the war was over. I wish I would of asked him what he was feeling at that moment. And I understand that alot of the military especially those that were in combat do not talk about it, but still I wish I would of asked.There were alot of protests and riots that went on during the Viet Nam War. I remember during 1967 and 68 when the presidential race was going on in Chicago there were alot of problems. We lived 30 minutes from downtown and were told to stay in our homes and be safe because a protest walk was taking place on a road that we could see from our house. It was a scary time. We were lucky though the protesters never made it all the way to our neighborhood, they were disbanded before they got there.
They were the only two of my immediate family that were in the military. I do have a great nephew that is stationed in Toyko in the Air Force, and I have two nephews on my ex's side that have been to Afghanistan.
I get teary eyed when I see someone in uniform. I think about how they willingly put their lives on hold to stand up for our freedom. I always try to at least look them in the eye and mouth the word Thanks! We owe them so much more than we give. God Bless them!
until next time... nel
I get teary-eyed reading your last paragraph! I think the most emotional times are when you see a service member in uniform at an airport - are they coming home or leaving? I'm pretty shy but I really feel convicted to go up and say "Thank you for your service".
ReplyDeleteI, too, wish I had asked my Dad more. I asked him to write out his memories but he didn't get very far before he died. I treasure the entries he did manage to write - I need to post them one day.
This is a beautiful post. Thanks for participating.
ReplyDeleteNone of our family members in service ever talked much about it either, now that they're gone there is so much I wish I could ask them.
ReplyDeleteYou wonder if they had shared their feelings more if it would have helped them perhaps come to terms with what they saw and what they had to do. My dad was in the Polish army during WW2 (he was born in Poland) and was in a work camp, captured by the Germans. I don't know if he shared a lot of that with my mom but the conditions in that camp did get him sick with a lung problem that he never recovered from and he died at 39 years old so I never got to really "know" him, being 18 months old when he died. My hubby's dad served in the Navy for 24 years and was involved in some secret type of missions that he could not take about for years. He shares a lot of his "war stories", for him it was almost like he got stuck in that time and can't move on. Each I think handle it in their own ways.
ReplyDeleteI am thankful for the brave men and women that do fight so willingly for our freedom and I am thankful for their families, their wives and children, who carry on despite loneliness, hardships, etc.
thanks for sharing your memories
betty
Very moving post!
ReplyDeleteThe pattern is the same everywhere. They come back from the war and..silence. They are unable to talk about the atrocities of war, and we don't wish to put pressure on them and ask questions. So, we remain with the unanswered questions foever.
We have really enjoyed corresponding with the Army unit our family supports through AnySoldier.com. It's amazing how a simple package of oatmeal, granola bars, peanut butter and jelly, and candy was so gratefully received. Many of the units are in remote locations and get only basic supplies - the little extras from home are very welcome. Thanks for considering helping out!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching post...my father and brother were in the military. You are right...we owe our military men and women so much.
ReplyDelete