Sunday Snapshot {Remembering heros}

Tuesday was the 69th anniversary of 'a date that will live in infamy.'  Out of respect for those that lost their lives that day, I'd like to take a few minutes to honor one of their fellow members of 'the greatest generation.'

my sister and I getting a living history lesson from family photos ~ November 2005

My grandfather would never proclaim himself great ~ he is a humble man ~ but he is part of that generation.  Tom Brokaw bestowed the name upon those that grew up in the time around the Great Depression and went on to serve ~ either in the front lines or in the war time effort at home ~ during WWII.  In his words, they were the greatest generation because they "...fought not for fame and recognition, but because it was the right thing to do."  

with all but one of his grand kids as we gathered on July 4, 2008 to celebrate his 90th

I called Grandpa on Veteran's Day this year to thank him for his service to our country and for the cause of freedom in the world during WWII.  In his true fashion, he was humbled by my call and responded, "Well, thank you.  Someone had to do something.  It just was the right thing to do."

July 2008 ~ with Ky.  Grandpa has always been quiet and that sometimes intimidates the littles.  He was patient and eventually she let him put his arm around her.

According to family legend, early December of 1941 found my grandfather and grandmother at the movies to catch the news (oh the changes their generation has seen) and enjoy a film on the big screen.  That day the news would focus on what had happened in Hawaii earlier in the week.  Apparently Grandpa was deeply troubled by the events that had occurred and on their way home stopped the car at the local Marine recruitment office to sign up.

August 2004 ~ fishing with my brother

 He was 23 at the time.  He had my 2 1/2 year old father at home along with my six month old aunt.  I'm sure it would have been easy for him to talk himself out of enlisting.  After all, he had a young wife with two very young children to care for.   If he were gone in the military, how would he provide for his family?  What if something happened and his children never had real memories of him?  There were so many reasons that he could have stepped aside and let others go to fight for freedom.  His freedom, our freedom.

reading to Kylie ~ April 2009

But instead he, along with thousands of others of young men and women, decided to be part of the solution.  Many of them volunteered their time, knowing full well that it could be their lives they were giving, to the cause.
 

playing cars with Caleb ~ April 2009

And since that time he has continued to be a kind, hardworking, humble man.  He is respected, both by family and the community, for his knowledge, his loyalty, and his integrity.  He was married to my grandmother for over 60 years when she left this earth to join Jesus in Heaven.  His 'yes means yes and his no means no.'  He is a man of few words, but I could happily sit on the floor at his feet for hours watching him smile as he watches my kids play with the same toys I played with as a child at his house. 

caught in an animated moment with my little clown ~ May 2010

Oh the lessons our, "what's in it for me" society could learn from 'the Greatest Generation.'  Thank you Grandpa ~ and all your fellow servicemen and women ~ for putting others in front of yourself.  May we carry on your legacy well...

August 2004 ~ six more great grandchildren (three from China, two from Taiwan, and one from the Ukraine) have joined the family ranks since then.  Daniel will bring the total of his great-grandchildren to 18!

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