He was the leading cause of death among chi-coms in Korea during the 50's.
He is still kicking today and mad as hell that I'm not in Iraq.
Posted on 10/28/2004 9:58:16 AM PDT by MarcoPolo
With all the degradation the left heaps on our soldiers, airmen, seamen and guardsmen today I thought it would be good and refreshing for us here on FR to honor the brave people in our own families who have fought for this country. I thought it would be especially interesting if we included those from past wars and told a bit about them and their participation in the conflicts. You don't have to call them by name if you want (in fact for security's sake it might be best if living family servicemembers are not named), just tell about them and honor them. I'll start.
My family's history of military service goes back centuries. Members of many branches of my family tree on both sides have served nobly and honorably in times of war. In fact, my earliest known ancestor (after Noah and Japheth of course) was Airard FitzStephens, captain of William the Conqueror's flagship which with the rest of his Norman fleet invaded and conquered England in 1066 A.D.
On the American continent my paternal great-grandfather (five times removed) was a man named Patrick. He was a patriot in the American Revolution. His name is listed on the DAR honor roll of patriots and because of his service his widow was granted land many years later. Another ancestor, Thomas Lovett, was a patriot in the revolution. Family history says that he was captured by the British during the Battle of Brier Creek and was executed by the British and thrown into the river.
During the Civil War my great-great-great grandfather Enos served honorably (as did a whole host of my past relatives) in the Confederate Army. He was a private in the 54th GA Infantry.
My great-uncle Benjamin served in Patton's Third Army in World War II first as a motorcycle scout and then as an infantryman. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and then fought and got frostbite in the Battle of the Bulge.
My father served his country honorably in the U.S. Air Force munitions divisions during Vietnam, serving both here in the U.S. and in stints in both Vietnam (at Da Nang) and Thailand (at Ubon). His brother likewise served in Vietnam in the U.S. Army as a helicopter machine-gunner and was shot in the leg during a mission over Laos. For this wound he received a Purple Heart.
My cousin served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Gulf War and still serves honorably in the Navy today stateside. Another cousin served our country honorably in the U.S. Army in Bosnia and is still serving stateside today.
There are many other relatives which time would fail me to list. I've done my part; do yours. Let's honor our servicemen both past and present. God bless them.
Bump for later.
Make sure you have plenty of children. America will need them in the future! God Bless!
Great idea :-)
My Great Uncle George died in WW2. His brother (my grandfather, aka "Papa"), Walter, enlisted after his death. He was in the same unit as Bob Dole. Papa is now battling Alzheimers. God Bless him.
I dated a wonderful man, John, for close to 4 years. He was a graduate of the Air Force Academy and a veteran of the war on terror - he spent close to a year in the middle east. This past summer he graduated from Army Ranger school (the first AF officer in many years to do so). Very suddenly and tragically he died in a car accident over Labor Day weekend while visiting family. He was supposed to report to his post in Korea the following week.
My heart is forever grateful for the service of these strong and fabulous men. God Bless them all. I miss them terribly.
Nice post!
Though I haven't got around to tracing the family tree very far back, a few things I do know.
Ancestors served in the American Civil War, have only traced back through family records to about 1820 so not sure about the War for Independence.
Great uncle, Gordon, lies at rest aboard the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor. His brother Charles served with Patton. He later went on to land at Anzio Beachhead. Charles is still kicking!
Uncle Dwayne, deceased, USAF during Korean conflict. Was a master mechanic and was once sent on a mission along with a special crew to locate a downed bomber, fix it, and fly it out.
Uncle John, served as a flight instructor for the old Army Air Corps.
And to my great nephew Daniel, Marine KIA,Afghanistan 2004. I think of you each day. Thanks to you and your comrades, the dream of a democratic election became reality.
As Veterans Day approaches, I salute each of you.
As a full-time AF officer and dad of 6 he went to college and eventually got his Masters Degree. I always felt it was an honor to be a child of a military person, esp. one like my Dad; He is a Patriot and would still be serving today if he could.
Great posts so far. Keep them coming!
He is still kicking today and mad as hell that I'm not in Iraq.
Bump for later.
Limiting this to just American wars, several forebears were in the Revolutionary War, War of 1812, and 'The War of Agression."
My father was in WWI - brother-in-law in WWII - I served in the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict - son in the Army, and grandson currently in the Air Force...
My blood, 'tis said, runs in ribbons of red, white and blue..:))
Mine too.LOL
One way I like to thank retirees -when I shop in our local commissary (base grocery store for those of you that dont know) I always request a vet for my bagger. As we walk out to my car I thank him from the bottom of my heart for his service to our country and the very freedom most of us enjoy. Then I hug them, give an outrageously high tip and tell them to have a fabulous day. I have seen more than one wipe his eyes as he walked away.
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO THANK A VET!!
Very cool of you. Very cool indeed. :)
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