My uncle Bill (RIP) was a 19 year old kid on Omaha beach. He survived. Several years ago the Detroit Free Press did a multi-page article about his experiences complete with a sketch artist.
My uncle Frank (RIP) was shot down in the Pacific. He survived. All of my uncles (7) served. All survived. One is still alive (not a WWII vet).
love to all vets, their families, their friends and my uncles
We remember them on this day!
Thank GOD for families like yours that faced such an enormous risk for the cause, that thankfully were in the end spared.. Some, too many, were not so fortunate..
Letter to Mrs. Bixby
In the fall of 1864, Massachusetts Governor John A. Andrew wrote to President Lincoln asking him to express condolences to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, a widow who was believed to have lost five sons during the Civil War.
Lincoln’s letter to her was printed by the Boston Evening Transcript.
Executive Mansion,
Washington, Nov. 21, 1864.
Dear Madam,—
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.
I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.
I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln