Honor

Have you ever felt so proud of someone it brought tears to your eyes? Just thinking about this story fills me with pride, appreciation, and gratitude.

It's been later in my life that I've come to realize what a foundation my grandpa has been in our family. His example has always resonated through his quiet strength and commitment to our family and our grandma. But for most of my life I just always thought of him as grandpa.

I remember going to grandma and grandpa's house, always excited to raid the freezer for a Klondike bar...and grandpa's hidden, but not so hidden, stash of cashews. I remember him pulling 10 Susan B. Anthony coins out of the ears of each of his 10 grandchildren every year for their birthday (and somehow we fell for the trick for a long time!). I remember going to each and every county fair with him. I remember going to EVERY SINGLE Fremont Ross football game where you could, and still can, find him in his very own seat secured by his season ticket. I remember him falling asleep in church and nudging him so he could pick up his nodded head. I remember him never missing an event I was participating in throughout my childhood, and early adulthood. I remember seeing him beaming in his white tux at our wedding.

I remember him for all of the things we all hope to remember our grandparents for....just being our grandparents.

While I've always respected him, I recently came to realize that he deserves more than just respect. He deserves Honor. And recently he was given some that was long overdue.

You see, my grandpa, along with countless other men his age, served in World War II.

Yes, World War II is remembered in history classes, and told as a historical event. But my grandpa, MY GRANDPA put his life on the line for me, and you, and our entire country. He was selfless and full of love for this country, and served during a very pivotal time of our country's history. Yet somehow, it's not been until NOW that I've come to understand that this was not just a historical event. It had a tremendous impact on him and the others who served during WWII.

In history class I was never taught that these men were so impacted by this event in their lives that even today, some 65+ years later, it still brings tears to their eyes to remember it. I was never taught that these soldiers have vivid memories and a huge sense of pride for their time in the service. In fact, I was just taught about the war as an "event" in our country's history, and never thought once about those who were there...on the front lines.

To me, THIS is one of the greatest tragedy's of our history...remembering the event, but not honoring those who served!

You see, I was there the day my grandpa found out he had been accepted to take the "Honor Flight" trip to Washington DC to visit the WWII Memorial.

It was the first football game of the season, it had rained just before the start of the game. And as usual, my grandpa came prepared for every possible weather situation. In this case, he was wearing his red poncho over his purple Fremont Ross shirt. The band had just completed their pregame performance when my grandpa (who doesn't get around as well as he used to) stood up in his seat to get the attention of my mom and me, who were standing at the front of the stadium. Our hearts raced as we thought, "Is he ok? Does he need something?". My mom went over to where he was standing alone in the crowd of those sitting around him.

Turns out he was fine...... He had just found out that he would be making the trip to DC and was so proud/happy that he just had to let us know! I saw the joy on his face. And it was then that I realized, this was a big deal. A bigger deal than I had ever known.

So, early in September, my grandpa, accompanied by my uncle, took his journey to the WWII memorial in DC.

I was so happy to be part of his experience by writing him a letter that he'd receive during the "mail call" the coordinators had arranged as part of these soldier's experience.

It was then that I got to thank him for his service to our country. It was then I got to thank him for fighting for my freedom. It was then that I got to thank him for all he's done for our country....and it was then that I got to tell him what it has meant and means to me for me to be able to call him MY grandpa, and OUR soldier.

And...it was then that I realized there are others who served at the same time my grandpa served. And it is now that I realize we must never forget them.

While many of them are no longer with us, their selflessness will ALWAYS be with us. I honor these brave soldiers. I want to thank those who are still with us, and remember those who are not. I thank them for defending what our country was founded on and can never thank them enough for the freedoms we have today.

So please, remember with me. Thank with me. And help honor them by appreciating the liberties we have today and by preserving the country they fought for...Our humble heroes..

*********Check out these links. One is my Grandpa's story in the local paper. The other is a documentary of this "Honor Flight" trip. ************

http://www.thenews-messenger.com/article/20090924/NEWS01/909240312
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=3272737n
(there are a few lapses in audio, but it comes back..just keep watching!)