Question of the Day - Tuesday, November 11

Lest We Forget :heart2: Remembrance Day and Veterans Day.


Do you have stories and memories of friends or family members in war history? Who would you like to personally remember, thank and honour?


From Vets to the Homefront, and everyone inbetween. Past and present.


One side of the family, my great grandfather served in the Finnish Civil War of 1918 (An event after Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917). Additionally, my two uncles served in The Winter War during WWII (where Soviet Union invaded Finland) one was killed and the other came back home with severe PTSD. My grandmother was also known to be very kind to destitute people during this period, including giving up her rations and preparing given-away meals. On the other side, my great aunt was a nurse in WWII along with her husband, who was a soldier. I love them all very dearly.

A great, great uncle served as a Union Army surgeon in the U.S. Civil War (1861-65). Three great uncles served in World War I, another in WWII. The latter's niece (my first cousin once removed) was among the first nurses to land after the D-Day invasion. My father and one of his brothers served in the Marine Corps during the Korean War. Their younger brother and a number of my older cousins served in Viet Nam.

My mother told us that the first thing my father said after learning he had a new daughter was, "Another one Uncle Sam won't get!" :lol3: He was proud of his service, but against conscription.

DH and I started dating, became engaged and married in the early aftermath of 9-11 while he was still active duty. 

I'm a military brat via my Step-father; now retired military.  My father also served as did both his parents, and my other Grandfather.  My grandparent's met and married when they were both stationed near San Francisco during WWII.  They were both in uniform for their wedding.   Their song was "I Left My Heart in San Francisco by Tony Bennet.  Since my Grandpa's passing a few years ago; it's been extra special to me as well.  My Grandpa was a very quiet man.  He talked about 2 subjects...photography and the War.  He and my Grandmother were heavily involved with the American Legion in his retirement and spent a lot of time visiting and caring for local veterans during the healthier years of their retirement.  He started the appreciation in my heart as well.


My Step-grandfather retired after a very long military career that began during the Korean war.  To hear him talk about his experiences...I've seen him captivate audiences (my step-dad can do that too).  My Aunts, Uncles and 3 of my step-siblings have also served or currently serve.  It's a long list.   And then there are my friends and their spouses.  Also a long list!  

Even though I was in the Army for eight years I don't come from a family with a military tradition.  My grandfather served in WW1 and was one of the ones who was exposed to mustard gas.  As far as I know he is the only combat vet on either side of my family.  I had an uncle who did an enlistment in the Army and an enlistment in the Air Force.  He was like me though, all service was in peace time.

My father fought in WW II. He joined the military before he could be drafted, so he would have some say on where he would serve. He was on General Eisenhower's medical team, and drew blood that the General donated to soldiers. He and the other enlisted men thought the world of Eisenhower, not so much General Patton, though. My father said everyone celebrated when Patton verbally abused and slapped two soldiers who were in the hospital, because they knew this could finally end his military career. The soldiers really played up the incident, word spread quickly through Patton's troops, he was so hated. My father said every one knew Patton did not care about the lives of the soldiers in his command, he marched his troops into certain death without hesitation. The Nazis felt Patton was their enemies' greatest leader.

My father had taken over his uncle's farm when WW II started so he was exempted from the draft, all farmers were.  That was before factory farming, everything was done by family farmers and there was a massive need for food.  Farms couldn't sit idle while the owners went in the service.  My father said that Patton got a lot of bad press.  He remembered he was always outrunning his supply lines and his army would need emergency supplies.  He couldn't believe it when the movie came out, he said that it was revisionist history to make him into a hero when he wasn't.

I have veterans in my family all the way back the to Revolutionary War. Some were in the Civil War (both sides!), WWI (my great-grandfather), WWII (my Father) and his brother, Vietnam (my older brother), and my husband (Persian Gulf War). There may have been someone in the Korean war on Dad's side, but I can't remember who it was.

Thank you to all of our veterans.

MargeCat said:

 
I have veterans in my family all the way back the to Revolutionary War. Some were in the Civil War (both sides!), WWI (my great-grandfather), WWII (my Father) and his brother, Vietnam (my older brother), and my husband (Persian Gulf War). There may have been someone in the Korean war on Dad's side, but I can't remember who it was.

Thank you to all of our veterans.

Click to expand...

That is neat!  DH's great-grandfather was orphaned during the Civil War; but I don't know that anyone served until his Grandfather.  Possibly others in the family did but I don't recall his Grandmother talking about it.  3 of my Grandparents were the first generation born in the US; so WWII was the first they could participate in.