Spent last weekend with my hero
Did not do any blogging last weekend because my parents and grandparents (dad's parents) were here from Ohio. My (as Grandma spells it) grandad is one of my true heroes. I feel extremely fortunate that three of my four grandparents are still alive. And although my grandpa passed away and could never be replaced, my grandma has since remarried a retired Marine. Three of the finest men I have ever known are my grandfathers.
All three served during WWII. Two Marines and one Army. Up until about six years ago I had no idea about what my grandad, who was here last weekend, had gone through in the service. I knew that he was a Marine during WWII, but not much else. During college an assignment during a history class was to interview someone about a historical event. The teacher was a bit looney, but this turned out to be the best assignment I had in college.
Not knowing who to interview I asked my grandad. I do not think he necessarily wanted to do it, but he, fortunately, said yes. My wife (wife to be at the time), myself, and two others went over to my grandparents house one evening. It turned out that he had not recounted any of his war stories to anyone, including my grandma (at the time they had been married 52 years). I knew he did not like to talk about it, but had I known that he did not talk about it all I would not have asked.
There were a few times when he got choked up, along with everyone else. One of his best buddies was shot and slowly died not more than a few feet from him. He also spoke fondly of a commanding officer who was always in the front, but eventually "got it." He did not go into specifics, but said the Japanese did some awful things. He had a hole shot in his helmet, but did not suffer any injuries. Went three or four days with nothing to eat but a chocolate bar and water from banana leaves.
During his time in the Pacific he was in Guadalcanal, Guam, Bougainville, and I think others. He returned to the States before the end of the war and served as one of the Marines who worked along side the Secret Service and followed FDR. He was at the "Little White House" in Warm Springs, Georgia when the President died.
I have always looked up to my grandparents, but hearing what my grandad went through really cemented in me that he is a hero. Two years ago my wife and I took my parents and grandparents to see the WWII memorial in DC. He was thankful to see it. He said he did not expect anything and figured there would never be anything done for WWII veterans. It is really a shame it took so long and that so many who fought never had the opportunity to see it (including my other grandpa).
My hat goes off to all veterans, but if you, like me, have a grandparent (or parent) who served during WWII, tell them thanks. Sadly, we are losing more heroes everyday and they should know that younger generations appreciate their sacrifice.
All three served during WWII. Two Marines and one Army. Up until about six years ago I had no idea about what my grandad, who was here last weekend, had gone through in the service. I knew that he was a Marine during WWII, but not much else. During college an assignment during a history class was to interview someone about a historical event. The teacher was a bit looney, but this turned out to be the best assignment I had in college.
Not knowing who to interview I asked my grandad. I do not think he necessarily wanted to do it, but he, fortunately, said yes. My wife (wife to be at the time), myself, and two others went over to my grandparents house one evening. It turned out that he had not recounted any of his war stories to anyone, including my grandma (at the time they had been married 52 years). I knew he did not like to talk about it, but had I known that he did not talk about it all I would not have asked.
There were a few times when he got choked up, along with everyone else. One of his best buddies was shot and slowly died not more than a few feet from him. He also spoke fondly of a commanding officer who was always in the front, but eventually "got it." He did not go into specifics, but said the Japanese did some awful things. He had a hole shot in his helmet, but did not suffer any injuries. Went three or four days with nothing to eat but a chocolate bar and water from banana leaves.
During his time in the Pacific he was in Guadalcanal, Guam, Bougainville, and I think others. He returned to the States before the end of the war and served as one of the Marines who worked along side the Secret Service and followed FDR. He was at the "Little White House" in Warm Springs, Georgia when the President died.
I have always looked up to my grandparents, but hearing what my grandad went through really cemented in me that he is a hero. Two years ago my wife and I took my parents and grandparents to see the WWII memorial in DC. He was thankful to see it. He said he did not expect anything and figured there would never be anything done for WWII veterans. It is really a shame it took so long and that so many who fought never had the opportunity to see it (including my other grandpa).
My hat goes off to all veterans, but if you, like me, have a grandparent (or parent) who served during WWII, tell them thanks. Sadly, we are losing more heroes everyday and they should know that younger generations appreciate their sacrifice.
posted by Nick Howard at 5:30 PM
4 Comments:
That is a great post!!! I have always wanted to go to the pacific and see the islands we liberated from the Japanese... Taiwan (Formosa) being one.
My father served as a Navy Corpsman at Tinian, Guam and the Phillipenes (can't remember which island there). Wouldn't it have been something if they met...
Nice post, Nick. Since we share SW Ohio roots, I'll mention here what I have told you privately. That my father wrote your high school's fight song and alma mater during a naval bombardment of Japanese positions prior to the landings at Leyte Gulf in the Philippines. It's possible that your grandfather and my father were on the same Landing Ship, since their Pacific wandering seem to have covered some of the same ground.
Hey Donkey, I too would love to go to the Pacific. My grandad mentioned he would like to go back, but I doubt now if he ever will. I imagine the peace and quiet would be far different than what they experienced.
Scout - I was talking to my grandma (mom's mom) and she remembered your father. In fact, she still remembers the alma mater. It's amazing how small this world really is.
Nick: many thanks for that comment. It's very meaningful and I'll pas it on to my Dad. He's 94 years old, extremely healthy, drives to Virginia from Ohio three times a year to visit his grandchildren, and still has a lot of music in him.
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