Thursday, November 02, 2006

The Greatest Generation is missing another hero....

He served in the U.S. Army, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 when 19,000 American soldiers lost their lives in a bloody month-long battle during the snowiest, coldest winter in memory.

He was one of the young men who helped save the world....

He met his wife at a dance and knew by their second date that she was the one ... they married ... and he worked in post-World War II America, raising a family and achieving the American dream.

He was one of the Greatest Generation ... the men of World War II ... who went to war, asked no questions, and saved us from evil. In his later years he loved to garden, planting and sharing vegetables with everyone he encountered.

He was ... my uncle.

We buried him today. He passed away Sunday morning after fighting valiantly against the ravages of age. He was 84 years old. An American flag draped his coffin ... fitting for a hero. Taps was played at the graveside service ... the flag was crisply folded and presented to the family ... an American flag that will be cherished by his children ... my cousins.

We buried a hero today ... one of the men of World War II ... who saved the world from evil.

2 comments:

Carl Kilo said...

I had great uncles at the Battle of the Bulge.
The Greatest Generation earned that name for sure. I can tell by your words you cherish his memory in same way I cherish my uncles. I see in the newspapers every day the passing of these great men. These men never declared heroism, most never spoke of it. One of my uncles was highly decorated. I asked about his many medals and he replied:"They sold them in the px"
I hope your family is lifted by my prayers.

f mcdonald said...

I am so sorry for the loss you and your family share but what a life!