Fall: A Time for Reflections (November 11, 2021)

Fall:  A Time for Reflections (November 11, 2021)

Veteran’s Day:  I was going to post a quick meme, a Happy Veterans’ Day / Thank You for your service post, but as i scrolled the internet looking for just the right GIPH / Meme I was side-tracked looking at archives in hopes of finding a photo of Grandpa from his military days.  Unfortunately I was unable to find what I was looking for.  

I did stumble across a digital book deeply detailing the adventures of a U.S. Military Group that was stationed in the Philippines during World War II.  The story initially caught my attention because my great-great uncle was mentioned a time or two (Musky Joe’s brother.)

As it happens (with ADHD) my mind wandered down many different paths today.  Thoughts of all my relatives and ancestors that have taken part in shaping our great country.  How they were each willing to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of our society.

Grandma took great pride in being able to trace our family tree all the way back to the days of the Mayflower.  I have so many fond memories of sitting at the kitchen table with her, leafing through the book of the family tree, listening to her tell stories of the ones she remembered. 

A some-odd great grandpa that fought at George Washington’s side during the Revolutionary War.  How Gramma’s Great-Grandfather left his family in the south to fight for the North (brothers against brothers.). Her favorite story to tell was when her uncle’s Clifford and George Brandt went off to fight in World War II.  All through the years every detail of the family taking the “boys” to the train depot in town stuck in her mind (she couldn’t have been more than 6 years old at the time!). The look of pure delight as she told the story about how her Grandma and Grandpa received a call because the brothers had to be relocated to a different part of Europe.  Apparently as they took their leave and were exploring a local town in Europe, they rounded the corner and ran smack dab into one in another.  (Something to do with the laws, brothers weren’t supposed to be in the same vicinity of one another during war time.  The risk of a family losing all of their sons in one battle was a big no-no during those times.). I always LOVED the look on Gramma’s face as she told the stories.  She truly loved and missed her family from when she was growing up.  

I think back to Grandpa’s stories of his time in the Army.  His disappointment over being turned down by the Navy (He was blind in one eye.). The Navy had him all set to go, when he was turned away when he couldn’t pass the physical.  Not to be deterred, he tried the Army next.  I wish I would have dug out the pictures today.  The one that sticks in my mind the most was Grandpa with a big field phone and a smile on his face.  (Those of you that knew him, KNEW how much he LOVED to talk on the phone!). He often talked of the tasks he did in boot camp, and the adventures of being stationed around the United States.  I really feel that his time in the military really shaped who he became in life.  His time outside of his little neighborhood in Chicago opened his entire world and mind up.

I think of all the stories of Grandpa’s nephews throughout my childhood.  I remember how tense Grandpa was during the Gulf War, worrying about his nephews in the various branches of the Services.  Some of my fondest childhood memories were of my cousins coming to visit when they were on leave.  Thirty some years later and I still think my big cousin was the coolest thing ever rolling in on his motorcycle ;)

I think of my younger cousins, the time they have served and their willingness to put their lives on the line despite our country being in a political climate that doesn’t necessarily support them.  That they are still willing to serve and protect everything it means to be American.  

I am proud and grateful for each and everyone of you, and am deeply honored to call you family.   Thank you for your service!  Happy Veteran’s Day!  


​