It's Veteran's Day, let's talk about the Veterans in our Lives.
By dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
November 11, 2009 2:26pm CST
Today is Veteran's Day in the United States and it is also 91 years since World War I ended. Let's reflect on the Veterans in our lives.
There have been several Veterans in my life. I've had members of my family that have served in the Armed Forces in all of the major wars that America has been involved in.
My great-grandfather, William Isaac Hogue was in World War I. He lived to be 89 years old and passed away in 1989. He was the last living veteran of World War I in the city where he lived. He was a wonderful person and always took time out to spend with our family.
My grand-father, James Arthur Hankey served in the Air Force in World War II. He was also an amazing man and it was great to have had a hero in our family. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 72 years old.
My father, along with most of his brothers served in the Vietnam War (or during the Vietnam War period). There were brothers in all branches of the military and most of them were sent to Vietnam to fight for our country.
My cousin-in-law is currently in the Navy and has served for the war in Afghanistan. He is a great man and he has made my cousin very happy for many years of her life.
Finally, my Father-In-Law was career military in the Army and served through Korean War and the Vietnam War. He is a hard person to a certain extent due to the years that he served in the military. However, he also always did everything that he could to make life better for his children. Now, he is one of the best grandparents to my children that I could ever expect to meet.
So, if you can, tell me about the Veterans in your family. Did they serve in any of the wars? What branch of the military did they serve in? What is your overall perception of them.
2 people like this
5 responses
@Sweetchariot (1718)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Unfortunately, nobody in my family served in any military. My Dad had a crippled leg, that kept him from the draft...and years later when they allowed college students to avoid the draft, all my uncles, and cousins entered college...lol
But I have always been very thankful for whoever served in any armed forces, and made sure I have told them so, when I met them. It takes guts today to volunteer, and I have the utmost respect for those that do.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
12 Nov 09
You made me laugh talking about the uncles and cousins avoiding the draft by going to college. And you are right, we need to be thankful to all members of the military, not just those that we are close to.
@smedtra (77)
• Turkey
12 Nov 09
Only veteran in my family is my grandfather which i have never seen. As i've been told he has served for Ottoman Empire during Balkan Wars, and wounded from three spots. My grandmother used to told me about his pain due to wounds. I feel a bit sorry that i havent had the chance to meet him.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I'm sorry that you never had the opportunity to meet your grandfather. At least, however, you did have family that was able to share with you about him.
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
11 Nov 09
Dora-
My husband served as a medic in the US Army for just over 6 years and served time in Kosava.
My father served in the US Air Froce and did one tour in Viet Nam.
My grandfather served in WWII but he passed away long before I had time to spend time and get his story.
My husband's uncle did two tours in Viet Nam, another uncle served but is now in a home.
Our one friend is active duty at Ft. Hood, and another re-enlisting.
We send out all of our love to those who served before and those who are currently serving.
Namaste-Anora
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Our love and our prayers always need to go out for the members of the military whether we know them or not. They are the true heros of our country.
@lelin1123 (15595)
• Puerto Rico
11 Nov 09
My father was in the Navy during the Korean War he is of course my favorite veteran. My brother also served in the Navy in the early eighty when we were not at war. I also have an uncle who was in the Navy in the 60's who I admired and probably had a bit of a crush on when I was a little girl.
I also had a cousin who was in the Navy around the same time my brother was. Then the latest generation my nephew was in the Army an in Iraq at the age of 18. Thank God he made it home in one piece. We are a Proud Navy family.
I also had a cousin who was in the Navy around the same time my brother was. Then the latest generation my nephew was in the Army an in Iraq at the age of 18. Thank God he made it home in one piece. We are a Proud Navy family. @dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Sounds like you are a very proud Navy family. Our family was literally in all branches of the military. My father was one of ten children, six of which were boys and all of the brothers were in the military except for one and they served in all the branches of the military except for the Coast Guard.
@trruk1 (1028)
• United States
11 Nov 09
In remembering our veterans, especially those who served in WWII, we should recall who they were and what kind of people they were before and during the war. The nation mobilized to fight that war in a way it has not done since. Were these fearless warriors, attacking with abandon and utter disregard for their own safety? Sure, some of them were like that. But most of them were just regular people like you and me. They were farmers, carpenters, and schoolteachers who went off to war and did what they had to do. They were often dirty, often afraid, and often doubtful as the likelihood of personally surviving the war. Yet they slogged on and did what had to be done. I admire them greatly for that.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I agree with you wholeheartedly. The people that were in my family that also served in the military were just average people that served because they had to in some cases or because they wanted to because of the benefits in other cases.
My grandfather, who served in WWII was the son of a farmer and one of fourteen kids. He was really just your average man. I know that his serving in the war also changed the man that he was to the man that he became.
