"We Had A Job To Do For This Country. . .And We Did It"

I miss the Greatest Generation tremendously every day. . .but when Veteran's Day rolls around, I miss them even more. . .Of course, they are not the only Vets we celebrate on this day. . .I know many from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and many, many who served since. . .But a Veteran's Day mostly brings back memories of my Daddy and Uncle Lloyd, sitting around the dinner table, swapping WWII stories. . .I knew every one of them by heart. . .They rarely talked of the hardships. . .It was mostly funny stories. . .but I have been delving into their four years in the Navy and it wasn't easy on either of them. . .Yet. . .both said over and over that they never regreted it. . .

The special thing about these two men was their deep love of country, their patriotism, and their desire to serve for the greater good. . .Daddy never finished high school until after the service. . .He signed up in 1942. . .Uncle Lloyd wasn't far behind. . .Neither could wait to fight for this country, although Uncle Lloyd was only 15. . .as the story above tells. . .Of course there is more to the story. . .

Uncle Lloyd did stay in the Navy but he never saw his brother, my Dad who served in the Mediterranean and whose story I've told on other Veteran's Days. . .Lloyd was shipped off to Hawaii, where he trained for an electrician's mate third class. . .Hawaii was his base, but he was on the Pacific Ocean most of the time. . .repairing submarines. . .More than once, he was stuck on one as it had to leave the area quickly. . .He spoke of the Philippines and Guam and other islands that I longed to see. . . but not during a war. . .He saw some action when a couple of convoys he was in were attacked. . .Mind you, he was only 16 years old by then, but did he go sniffling back to his Mom? . .NO!. . .More than once I heard him agree with Daddy. . ."We had a job to do for this country, and we did it". . .

I tell this story because I think this year more than any others, we need to be reminded that all of our Veterans served with the same loyalty and love of country. . .We cannot forget them. . .We need to thank them and hold them in honor. . .Just like Uncle Lloyd and Daddy, they also have their story. . .but the bottom line is. . ."They each had a job to do for our country. . .and they did it." . . .We are a better country, a safer country, a free country because of them. . .Take a moment and reflect on this. . .and Honor Our Veteran's on this special day of remembrances. . .They are all heroes. . .

And. . .I would like to thank mine. . .

LOVE AND MISS YOU BOTH!