D-Day -- and other Relatives in Service

[donaldcc]

  My uncle was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne who parachuted in ahead of the Normandy invasion.  Presumed killed, but never verified for about 50 years.  About 10-12 years ago my aunt, now deceased, was notified that his remains were found in a grave with others at the advance site where they went in. Identified by dog tags.  She was flown over to France for a ceremony to commemorate his service and death by a group that makes efforts like this.

 Pretty amazing after so many years.  Many problems for those young guys on that first day.

 His younger brother, my dad, was a Marine infantry sharpshooter in both Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima who survived both by some miracle.

 My cousin is on the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC as a casualty.  BMC (Chief Boatswain's Mate or Chief Petty Officer) killed in KIEN HOA province.

 My brother was an Air Force electronics guy flown in to support the failed rescue attempt of Iran hostages in 1980, setting up temporary support site in Saudi Arabia.

 Me, I wasn't really a "swabby", but was a Naval officer for a few years.  Not quite the stress of other family members.

 But, as D-Day anniversary approaches, I am proud of them all.  And I appreciate their service that allows me the freedoms I enjoy.  

[old2soon]

Lost an uncle-U S Army-I never knew at Normandy. Lost a cousin-U S Army Major-I sort of knew in Nam. Lost a friend-U S Marines-I went to school with in Nam. May all who died in service for the Stars and Stripes and the Allies who helped us FOREVER REST IN PEACE. cursed gnats.