What I Remember & Why I Am Proud!

It was a cold, late night, December 7,1944.
I was 14 years old. I was living in an orphanage
home and we were all getting ready for bed.
The Matron called us together so we huddled around
the radio as the devastating reports
came blaring thru the speakers..
"WAR IS DECLARED!"
"The Japanese have just bombed Pearl Harbor!"
At first there was shocked silence,
unbeleif this could be happening.
We girls huddled together in fright
and then as the full impact
of the news hit us, we began to cry
as we thought of fathers,
brothers, uncles, family members
and friends going off to fight,
not knowing if they would ever come home again.
Oh yes, I remember as tho it were yesterday.
Later I learned my step-father joined the Coast Guard,
one brother joined the Marines, two brothers the Air Force.
Another brother was unable to go into service so took a job
as a guard at an Army Proving Ground,
so he could feel he was doing his part.
I also had a sister who worked at an Army Depot as a guard.
PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!
Ready to give their lives if necessary...

At age 16 I met and married a Navy man, age 18.
Two scared kids grabbing at life and living on dreams
of when it would end and life could begin.
Some of the men came home wounded...
some had close calls with death...
some were not so fortunate and never came home...
The war ended at last and life began again...
A new generation came along..
For our family it was five boys and three girls...
our new beginning or so we thought! Korea! Viet Nam!
Now do you remember? I do! as tho it were yesterday!
As each boy reached his 17th birthday, he felt he had to go.
First Fred,Jr.-Navy-6yrs
Dave was next to go..Army..VietNam...
Then Rick-Army..Germany
Denny left school at 17 to enter the Navy...
Philapeans and VietNam...God protected them all.
Dave was hurt the worse in Nam...
He still lives the terror, having flashbacks,
and illnesses caused by that Hell 30 years later.
He remembers as tho it were yesterday,
and I remember too!

Do you remember yesterday?
Is July 4th more then just picnics,
parades and camping trips?
Does your chest rise in pride
when Old Glory passes by?
DO YOU REMEMBER JULY 4TH?
I DO! "GOD BLESS AMERICA,
AND GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY TOO!
AND LORD; WHILE YOUR AT IT, PLEASE BLESS US
"STAY-AT-HOME-AND-PRAY-WOMEN TOO!"

These are my Hero's and my Pride!

Hubby Served at Guam and Japan

Fred

Dave

Rick

Denny

Grandson, Tony

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