Monday, May 28, 2012

Memorial Day

A guest post by Mr. Dub
(taken from an excerpt of a letter written to his missionary son)

Today is Memorial Day.  On Memorial Day we remember the men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars.  (Wikipedia)


You have many ancestors who fought in various wars.
  • John Fletcher Whitcomb and Rufus Porter both fought for the Union side in the Civil War. 
  • General John Whitcomb in the American Revelution, 
  • Gramma's Uncle Harold Anderson (your great-great uncle) fought in WWI (he is the only one I know who did)
  • your great grandfather Richard Glass was enlisted during WW II
  • both your grandfathers were in the service, Grampy in the Navy and Bop in the Army. 
  • All of your great uncles on both sides were in the military, Uncle Roger fought in WWII and the Korean war as a merchant marine.
  • However, I only know of one relative who actually died in combat.  His name was Robert Anderson and he was Bop's cousin.  He died as a gunner in a bomber over Germany when his plane was shot down. 
So today, we remember Robert Anderson as our family member who died in the service of his country.  We are grateful to all who serve, but to him we dedicate this day.  Hooray for him and for us.  May we be ever grateful.


2 comments:

Cathy said...

I love this. Yesterday my 6 year old asked me repeatedly to tell me about people I know from the war. There were a few that were easy to remember from our family and friends, but I now want to find out who fought in the Civil and American Revolution.

Jo Jo said...

John Glass, Revolutionary soldier; Dad's uncle died after the battle of the bulge, in Holland, and is buried in Belgium (WWII).