At age six, seeing my brother off for World War II
was the saddest day of my life. His
return, three years later, was the happiest.
A few tidbits of his service on Guadalcanal, Munda and Bougainville were
gleaned, but mainly I enjoyed having him home for 30 days, trying on all parts
of his Marine Corps uniform, and playing with a few souvenirs.
I saw him next at the memorial service of a Marine
first cousin who had fallen on Iwo Jima.
The sounding of taps that day established a new litmus of sadness. That was the day -- as a 10 year old – I resolved to become a Marine.
My brother served 20 years in the Marine Corps
during World War II and the Korean War.
He married, raised a family, and died young. I served four peace-time years, married, raised
a family and God has blessed me into my 80th year as of 2015.
At my brother’s memorial service in 1989, it became
evident his children knew little more about their father’s Marine Corps service
than I did – I resolved to fix that.
Researching my brother’s military service accessed
an amazing world of available information and brought some awareness and
appreciation of his service. Our Navy
son did the same for our cousin who fell on Iwo Jima.
It became obvious that many families thirsted for
the same awareness and appreciation for their family heroes – I resolved to help.
That resolve has birthed the majority of articles posted on this blog. Please enjoy!
That resolve has birthed the majority of articles posted on this blog. Please enjoy!
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| My brother Jack, WWII Vet and career Marine. |
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| Ol'Harry |
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