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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

On This Day



December 7th.


The Japanese attack on the U.S. Navy base
at Pearl Harbor was 70 years ago.

"The day we grew up," my Mother called it.

My Dad was 21 and enlisted in the Navy.



Howard's Dad was only 16, but he saw the war out as a sailor
on a destroyer escort ship in the Pacific.
A buddy of his snapped this while Dad
was catching some Zzzzsss in a bunk.

 The scope and breadth of the Second World War is almost unimagineable to us.
We are used to contained wars, not conflicts that spread to all corners of the globe.

If you are of a certain age, it's a pretty good bet your father, your uncles, maybe a granddad served.

Howard's Dad survived a kamikaze attack,
and was among the first Americans to enter Japan after the war ended.

My Dad was a Navy bombadier.

My friend Betsy's father-in-law was recently awarded the Legion of Honor medal from the French government.
He was part of the massive D-Day invasion.


Most of us know at least one WWII veteran,
although he might be quiet about it. 

Ordinary men, yanked out of their everyday lives,
to perform an extraordinary task -- to save the world.
Now that's the definition of a hero.

God bless all the members of our military, past and present.

*****************************************************************

And please send good wishes winging their way to Florida,
where Howard's Dad is in the hospital.  He is doing all right, but it's always better to be home.

My in-laws last June, at Alida and Josh's wedding.
How gorgeous are they, for 85 and 86?

2-1/2 week until Christmas, friends!  -- Cass


P. S.  If you have a relative or friend, now in his or her 80s or more, who served in the Second World War or who was a part of it on the domestic front, ask him or her to share their memories, in written form or recorded.  I promise you it is worthwhile, and these memories are precious.  Howard's Dad wrote a memoir of his time in the Navy, and it personalizes and makes real the war like nothing but a true story can do.  

14 comments:

  1. What a lovely share, Cass. Prayers lifting. May all they who gave & those who are giving be blessed forever, as God holds them closely.

    Merry Christmas ~
    TTFN ~
    Hugs ~
    Marydon

    PS GIVEAWAY end 12/9

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  2. Cass,
    Beautiful post. We all know people who served. God bless them. Sending good thoughts to Howard's dad. he is so fortunate to have both his parents.

    Slowly but surely I am getting ready for Christmas. I just love this time of year.

    Carol

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  3. Bless them ALL and Bless those two youngsters in that picture. ;0) 85 and 86 How great is that!!!!!

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  4. What a great post. We, who grew up as children of these heroes didn't really understand what they sacrificed so that we could be free. They were and still are "The Greatest Generation"!

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  5. That generation is leaving us quickly - it's true that we need to ask them to share the memories as most of them don't talk about the time very easily.
    Your in-laws are such a beautiful couple. I pray that your FIL is better today.

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  6. Cass this post is so heartwarming and very poignant! Thank you so much for sharing and reminding us!

    Please Come and enter in My 12 Days of Holiday Giveaways. There are so many exciting & special Gifts! Tis the Season!

    xoxo

    Karena
    Art by Karena

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  7. Great post, Cass... my father served in WWII, in Europe. He was actually in the liberation of Auschwitz. My mother's father was in WWI (for Spain!) and in the Spanish/American War. Her brother was killed in Korea. As great an honor it is to have served, I'll admit I'm much relieved my own sons have no interest in the military.... ok, that's not true, Jacob definitely does and even looked into his eligibility... but transplant patients can't serve!

    I think this is why they called our parents generation the "great generation".... they don't make them like they used to!

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  8. beautiful post!!
    both the sentiment.
    and the memories..
    Howard"s folks are remarkable!!
    thanks for sharing the memories..
    warmest hugs.. Loui♥

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  9. Truly a generation that gave their lives. Lovely post Cass. Howard's parents are remarkable indeed.

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  10. Cass, Thank you for your beautiful post, paying tribute to old veterans. susie

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  11. Geech Cass, I just commented, I did not mean "old" I meant "our". Sorry. I went to washington last month and enjoyed seeing the memorials for our service people. Susie

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  12. Thank you for remembering what so many of us forgot! xo Diana

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  13. What a great post. So important for people not to forget. I am so suprised how little coverage there was. My Dad was on my mind today, it was a day that made many a kid become a man. thank you

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  14. All my realitives that served has passed away

    your in laws well that is a great picture just to have them still with ya all is great.

    I am only in my 60's and the oldest person in my family now all have passed on

    great post

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