I am sitting here tonight watching a Memorial Day PBS special on television. It makes me wonder how many others are taking time this weekend to remember or honor our men and women in uniform serving today and give recognition to those who have served in the past. We should give thanks to those whose lives are changed forever because of what they did for this country and for me and for you. I will remember with gratitude those who are serving today and those who served in Vietnam, Korea, World War II, World War I, the Civil War, the war of 1812, the Revolutionary War and all those who honorably served throughout the years keeping us safe in our homes. It saddens me, when I think of the many sacrifices, that this is looked upon as a “holiday” as a time to go to the lake, a ball game, to relax and party with friends and never give a thought to why the day was really created or those who made it possible for them to have the freedom to celebrate as they please. Today I have family members serving in the military, My grandson, J T Haack is stationed with the air force in Mountain Home, Idaho. My grandson-in-law, Judson Gatch is a submariner serving in the Navy and stationed in Kingsland, Ga. Nephew Quintin White is serving with the Air Force stationed in Germany. Grandson,Grant Alber, recently served in Iraq fighting with the Stryker unit from Ft. Lewis Washington. Travis Stevens, step-grandson served in the army reserves. My son Jesse Alber, went into Iraq as part of the “tip of the spear “ when the order came to invade Iraq. Before the Iraq war my son Ted Alber served his country in the army and was stationed in Germany. Son in law Jerry Haack served in the United States Navy. Two of my brothers served in the United States Army during the Vietnam war. Allen stationed in Vietnam and Willie stationed in Germany. My father was in the Navy during World War II and an Uncle, Jay Wollom suffered for 3 1/2 years as a prisoner of War of the Japanese, taken prisoner on the Philippine Island of Corregidor April 9, 1942. How do you say thank you to someone who spent 3 1/2 years in hell, so you can be free? My family has a rich, full history of military service to this country which family members have traced back even to the revolutionary war. Lt. James Albert Guinal was killed while fighting with Colonel Herkimer at the battle of Oriskeny on August 6, 1777. His daughter , Cornelia, who became my g-g-g-g-g-g-great grandmother wasn’t even born yet at the time of her fathers death serving his country. Pvt. Isaac Morgan, of the 10 NC regulars fought for freedom at the Battle of King Mountain in North Carolina in 1780. There was also Joseph White, Solomon Delong, (who also fought in the war of 1812) Joshua Grant, Capt. Nathaniel Squires, Abijah Perry Sr., Abel Johnson, and Joseph White all were ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. Four or Five of Joseph White’s grandsons fought in the civil war. Thomas McGonagle served in the war of 1812, and Nathan Howard in the French and Indian War. My great grandfather’s Uncle Pvt. Wilson McGonagle of Company B 30th Ohio infantry was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the battle of Vicksburg (Mississippi) on the 22nd of May 1863. Hugh Birney of company F, 98 regiment Ohio Infantry was wounded on Oct 8, 1862 and died 19th of December as a result of wounds he suffered at the battle of Chapel Hills in Kentucky . Wesley Birney also served in the civil war. My grandfather Grant’s brother Austin served in World War I. We have always had family members serving to remind us of the sacrifice involved to keep our nation free. We know that "freedom isn't free." Someone will pay the price. I hope more people will take the time to remember and appreciate what these brave Americans and many others who’s names we don’t know and will never know, have done for all Americans. And remember those brave Americans who are serving today insuring that you and I have right to live in a “free” nation. Many of these brave heros are gone, you can not tell them that you appreciate their service, but you can show your appreciation by serving your country here, at “home”. Volunteer for non profit organizations that are making life better for the less privileged in our community, volunteer in your church, volunteer to help the elderly, volunteer to help the youth. Show your appreciation for what has been done for you by doing something for someone else.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Memorial Day Memories
I am sitting here tonight watching a Memorial Day PBS special on television. It makes me wonder how many others are taking time this weekend to remember or honor our men and women in uniform serving today and give recognition to those who have served in the past. We should give thanks to those whose lives are changed forever because of what they did for this country and for me and for you. I will remember with gratitude those who are serving today and those who served in Vietnam, Korea, World War II, World War I, the Civil War, the war of 1812, the Revolutionary War and all those who honorably served throughout the years keeping us safe in our homes. It saddens me, when I think of the many sacrifices, that this is looked upon as a “holiday” as a time to go to the lake, a ball game, to relax and party with friends and never give a thought to why the day was really created or those who made it possible for them to have the freedom to celebrate as they please. Today I have family members serving in the military, My grandson, J T Haack is stationed with the air force in Mountain Home, Idaho. My grandson-in-law, Judson Gatch is a submariner serving in the Navy and stationed in Kingsland, Ga. Nephew Quintin White is serving with the Air Force stationed in Germany. Grandson,Grant Alber, recently served in Iraq fighting with the Stryker unit from Ft. Lewis Washington. Travis Stevens, step-grandson served in the army reserves. My son Jesse Alber, went into Iraq as part of the “tip of the spear “ when the order came to invade Iraq. Before the Iraq war my son Ted Alber served his country in the army and was stationed in Germany. Son in law Jerry Haack served in the United States Navy. Two of my brothers served in the United States Army during the Vietnam war. Allen stationed in Vietnam and Willie stationed in Germany. My father was in the Navy during World War II and an Uncle, Jay Wollom suffered for 3 1/2 years as a prisoner of War of the Japanese, taken prisoner on the Philippine Island of Corregidor April 9, 1942. How do you say thank you to someone who spent 3 1/2 years in hell, so you can be free? My family has a rich, full history of military service to this country which family members have traced back even to the revolutionary war. Lt. James Albert Guinal was killed while fighting with Colonel Herkimer at the battle of Oriskeny on August 6, 1777. His daughter , Cornelia, who became my g-g-g-g-g-g-great grandmother wasn’t even born yet at the time of her fathers death serving his country. Pvt. Isaac Morgan, of the 10 NC regulars fought for freedom at the Battle of King Mountain in North Carolina in 1780. There was also Joseph White, Solomon Delong, (who also fought in the war of 1812) Joshua Grant, Capt. Nathaniel Squires, Abijah Perry Sr., Abel Johnson, and Joseph White all were ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War. Four or Five of Joseph White’s grandsons fought in the civil war. Thomas McGonagle served in the war of 1812, and Nathan Howard in the French and Indian War. My great grandfather’s Uncle Pvt. Wilson McGonagle of Company B 30th Ohio infantry was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his bravery during the battle of Vicksburg (Mississippi) on the 22nd of May 1863. Hugh Birney of company F, 98 regiment Ohio Infantry was wounded on Oct 8, 1862 and died 19th of December as a result of wounds he suffered at the battle of Chapel Hills in Kentucky . Wesley Birney also served in the civil war. My grandfather Grant’s brother Austin served in World War I. We have always had family members serving to remind us of the sacrifice involved to keep our nation free. We know that "freedom isn't free." Someone will pay the price. I hope more people will take the time to remember and appreciate what these brave Americans and many others who’s names we don’t know and will never know, have done for all Americans. And remember those brave Americans who are serving today insuring that you and I have right to live in a “free” nation. Many of these brave heros are gone, you can not tell them that you appreciate their service, but you can show your appreciation by serving your country here, at “home”. Volunteer for non profit organizations that are making life better for the less privileged in our community, volunteer in your church, volunteer to help the elderly, volunteer to help the youth. Show your appreciation for what has been done for you by doing something for someone else.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment