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Roy Edward Mattson WWII Veteran USN (Deceased June 13, 2009) Served in the U.S. Navy (1940-1945) aboard the U.S.S. Quincy which was sunk along with two American ships, the U.S.S. Astoria and U.S.S. Vincennes and the Australian ship, Canberra on August 9, 1942 during the invasion of Gaudalcanal.EULOGY TO MY GRANDDAD This is the beginning of a story About my beloved Granddad The fond memories I have of him All of them happy, none sad There were many hot days of summer Filled with laughter, food and family Only a little girl, I stayed close to my mother Yet soon I would be off sitting on the knee Of my beloved Grandfather Rolling down the VA halls I would sit in his wheel chair, without a bother I was safe in his arms, free from falls My favorite part of it all Was to play miniature golf, what a game But sometimes I would cry when the ball Would miss the hole and he would say my name And hug me better And let me know it’ll be alright. While at home, I made a card with a small letter When I couldn’t be with him I’d say a prayer for him at the night. Then I got a little older The trips to see him weren’t as exciting And when I try to remember it becomes a blur Now, I wish I was more enthusiastic about visiting Please, don’t get me wrong They are still important in my heart This is why I write you this song This is my communication of love through art I would like to share One important lesson I learned It was the importance of education that took dedication and care Especially about math, he was always concerned He asked how I would do in school It was always easy for me To tell him it was cool That’s because he taught me well; the best I could be I believe, I hope I live up to his expectation He definitely lives up to mine And he will always be my motivation Since he is always with me, I’ll be fine Now, let me tell you why I chose to rhyme It comes from a more recent visit This one is fresh in my head, like a new dime. My mom and I would take turns for a bit Reading poetry from his old book Pages of beautiful written work I would only be hooked Real life words of happiness and/or hurt I especially loved the ones of life’s celebration You know the ones about seizing the moment. Then came the news, his death, during Rachelle’s graduation But to be honest, this isn’t tragic, it’s not a lament This poem is of his happiness The full life he lived He found true love and gladness Because of his wife, 3 kids they did give All 3 live out happy lives and gave, Gave many more children, a lot more Including me and at the core He is there, in… All of us through our blood and souls So please do not be sad Fill those hearts with peace, fill in the empty holes With the love spread, by my Granddad. | ||||
PRIVATE MARIE HART WWII- WE THINK OF YOU OFTEN AND LOVE YOU VERY MUCH.IRENENBER YOU LOVINGLY AND FONDLY. plEASE PRAY FOR ELLEN. LOVE MIRIAM | ||||
private ROBERT.B.HART PFS-WWII DIED 1944-UNCLE BOB-YOU ARE REMEMBERED WITH LOVE. WE ARE COMFORTED IN KNOWING ALL OF YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE TOGETHER NOW.YOUR BRAVERY AND UNSELFISHNESS ARE TREASURED MEMORIES. ILOVE YOU. YOUR NIECE, MIRIAM | ||||
James E. Howe, Marine My Father was a Marine in World War II. He rarely spoke about his tour of duty, but once in a while he spoke of his time in the war. He was one of seven Marines that made it out from the Battle of Peleliu. His best friend Freddie died there in his arms. Dad said it was horrible and the Marine Corp didn't speak of it for many years. He was injured but lived. He hated fireworks and he had nightmares for many years. He was suppose to get the Silver Star but his commanding officer was killed and the paperwork was never received. He was a very proud Marine and instilled it into the five of us. My brother Jay joined the Marines right after the Vietnam War. My father was very proud of him. He loved this country and flew the flag everyday. My father passed away in 1998 and took a lot of secrets with him. I fly the flag in his honor everyday. | ||||
my dad,WWII my dad, Robert Joseph Ford was in the 45th signal corp,a lineman,and switchboard operator,he had a marksmanship medal as well as other medals.the amazing thing is,he was nearsighted and color blind,and could still shoot that well.He was an amazing father. He was at Dachau on liberation day and would not talk about it.I have tracked his records thru the archives,and tried to retrace his steps thru europe,last spring i traveled to europe and visited Dachau. What a sacrafice these men from WWII made for us. Freedom is not free and Let us never forget. | ||||
Joseph Montgomery Holland Today on the 65th anniversary of D-Day, I want to remember my uncle, Joseph Montgomery Holland, who died on June 10, 1944 and is buried at Normandy American Cemetery. He was Private First Class with the U.S. Army, 746th Tank Battalion. Though I never knew my Uncle Joe, I knew him through my father, his brother Howard Hiram Holland. Both were proud Americans and native Virginians. My uncle made the ultimate sacrifice, and on this day, I want to remember Joe for what he did to keep our country free. May my dear father, and Uncle Joe, rest in peace knowing that their sacrifice was not in vain. Susan Montgomery Friedman | ||||
UNCLE WALLY BROWN Dear Uncle Wally:From the time I was old enough to understand, I learned that you are a hero. Some German snipper killed you in an ambush in St. Lo, France on July 17, 1944. I visited St. Lo just to see exactly where I was robbed of an Uncle. It's a dismal, ugly little place that wasn't worth your blood - but I know your blood spilled there so that I could be born in a free country. I also visited the cemetery at Normandy and paid my respects to all those brave souls that gave their lives for their country and future generations. Your picture sits in front of me as I write this and I wish I could have known you. My sister, brother and all the "older cousins" remember you and always say how terrific you were. All of your sisters and brothers are in heaven with you now along with Bubbie and Grandpa. You are always in the hearts of all your nieces and nephews and their families. Thank you for giving us this legacy and may you rest in peace. I love you. | ||||
In Memory I wish to pay tribute to my Uncle, PFC Ronald Porter. He was in WW II. The only son of my grandfather. The only living male heir. He served his country at the age of 18 years of age. He is buried in Henri Chappel American Cemetery. Belgium. I remember and am grateful... God bless all our service men and women. God bless America. | ||||
John McCreagh Proud American's Daughter This will be the first year I did not send my dad a Thank you card for his service to our country. Every year, I felt this need to tell him, "Thank you for all you have done for us." I know he, and other vets just did not hear it often enough. and it needed to be said. I know how hard the war was on him, and all other soldiers. I don't really know, but I realize from what I have heard and read about the war, my dad was very lucky to make it back after 3 years, with no physical injuries, though he did contract malaria in Borneo, New Guinea. Also, years later, he was diagnosed with PTSD. He had suffered with it all of his life and never knew it had a name. My mother once told me that my dad felt he did not deserve the help because he said, "Other soldiers gave up so much more than I did." He felt very guilty. My dad was a medic. I know he did his best to help his buddies, but I am sure there were times that he just couldn't save them. I cannot imagine coming back from a foreign country, after 3 years of living on a muggy, monsoon swept island, sleeping in holes you dug, surrounded by snakes, bugs and VERY large crabs that would come out at night, and just being expected to resume your life. But, that is what everyone expected them to do. And they all did it. He worked for 25 years at two jobs to support his family of six. He was a police officer and a brick mason. He had a fantastic work ethic that he passed on to all of his children. My dad never did really get to retire. His job as a conscientious dad never was done. He always had to make sure we were all okay, and did not need anything. He would call me and say, "San, do you need anything? You wouldn't fib to me, would you? Anyway, my dad passed away on February 26th, with all 6 of us by his side. I am not sure why I am writing all of this but, I need my dad to know that I was very proud, and honored to be his daughter, and I miss his hugs, his laugh, and the candy bars he kept in the fridge. | ||||
My Father This is about a dad who didn`t come back after WWII. I was 2 1/2 years old when my father left for France. He had beenhome on furlough at the time D Day was happing. He left for New York, then England, this was the last my mother heard from him in a V letter. My mother received one of those famous "Western Union Letters" stating my father had been killed 8/8/44 some were in France. My father is buried in a very beautiful cemetery in France (Brittany American Cemetery- St. James, France). About 12 years ago I became aware of a group call AWON. These are the children of fathers killed in WWII. We would get together in different parts of the county for work shops and getting to know that there were other children like me. In 2004 my daughter and son-in-law and I, went to Washington DC for the dedication of the WWII Memorial. Memorial Day has always meant alot to me and my family. My daughter is a disable Army Veteran and my son was in the Navy Reserve and spent one year in Iraq but this last year I lost him to cancer. | ||||
My Brother Ralph Martinez In loving memory of my brother, Private Ralph Martinez, Company One, Third Battalion,Twenty-Fourth Marine,Fourth Marine Division,killed in action in the invasion of Iwo Jima, Mount Surabachi Feb 23, 1945. He was 18 years old and left school to enter the Marines,he fought valiantly for our Country. May you always rest in peace. | ||||
MY UNCLE JACK I AM WRITING THIS FOR MY MOM ANNIE DALE PECK.MY UNCLE PFC JACK DALE DIED IN 1944 IN FRANCE. HE IS BURIED AT AMERICAN BRITTANY CEMETARY IN FRANCE. WE HAVE HIS PURPLE HEART,FLAY AND PICS AND HIS BILLFOLD.HE WAS ONLY 19 YRS OLD. MY G-GREAT GRANDPA WAS A CIVIL WAR SOLDIER IN CHEROKEE,N.C. HE IS BURIED IN GEORGIA ALONG WITH HIS 2 BROTHERS JULIUS AND JACOB IN OTHER CEMETARIES. MY G-GRANDPA-BOWEN DIED IN GEORGIA AFTER HIS WAR WOUNDS IN A WAGON FROM ATLANT TO GAINESVILLE. I SALUTE ALL VETRANS. THANKS KATHY | ||||
Cpl Gilbert Pence To remember: Cpl. Gilbert Pence, born 6/14/22, died in Belgium 9/14/44. Purple Heart awarded for service in France prior to his death in Belgium. Remembered by niece, Carol Johnson. | ||||
S/Sgt. Donald R. Goff My brother, S/Sgt. Donald R. Goff was killed by a sniper on April 17, 1945 in Magdeburg, Germany. He is buried at Margraten, near Maastricht, Netherlands. Don wrote home almost every day. Of all the things in his letters that strike me as illustrating the difference in the days of WWII, one letter stands out in my mind, written during the Battle of the Bulge. It was written on an ink-splotched piece of stationery. In the letter he apologized for writing in pencil. A piece of shrapnel had gone through his knapsack, breaking his bottle of ink. It is hard to imagine today going into battle carrying a fountain pen and a bottle of ink. In fact, I wonder how many people today even know what a fountain pen is. He was a fine young man with red hair and hazel eyes, and he loved his family very much. I was 8 years old when he was killed. | ||||
My Dad This remembrance goes to my dad, C. F. "Jim" Falconer, US Marine during WWII and to my mom, Jeannette, his young wife. My dad served in Iwo Jima and returned home safely to my mother. Their first child was born while he was overseas and I thank God that he came home and that mom was alright. Dad rarely spoke about his military time but when he did, it was hard to hear his words. So many young men did not return home to their loved ones. My mother was aware that she was very fortunate to have her husband return home to her. I have often wondered what my life would have been like if things had been different but I am so grateful thatI had my dad in my life. Both my dad and mom were wonderful, strong people. Their generation survived through such awful times and they passed that strength on to their children. I miss each of them everyday and I wish I could thank them again for all that their generation sacrificed for our world. Words cannot express the love I have for my parents. I owe them everything. | ||||
In Rememberance I would like this to honor my biological father, Keith Leslie Mounce who gave his life at the Battle of the Bulge in January 1945. He was not more than 21 years old. He has always been remembered by his family. I lived in Europe for many years and had the privilege of visiting his and other graves of American military at the cemetry at Neuville en Condroz in Belgium. Although my mother, Ilah remarried I grew up learning about my father. I was fortunate to have his diary that all soldiers during WWII were given. My father wrote in it up til the time he went to fight. He fold of the love he had for my mother and how happy he was to know that she was pregnant. He died just under two months before I was born. I think my mother was very brave. | ||||
Joe Lambert A Prayer for JoeIt was upon a cold December day The event that sent our kin along his way The greatest heroic tragedy begun As he marched against the Samurai of the Rising Sun Lean, mean, and very keen Hell in the Pacific would be his scene The brave Marine proud and clean Tell the story of a fight so gory Those who survived would speak of no glory No quarter given None received No respite for those who believed And fought and died to stem the God Emperor’s tide, Armed with a cigar, a smile, and a satchel charge Our man loomed brave, handsome, and o’ so large Island after island he led the way With unbelievable courage that would never stray But fate is the fortune of so much war Too much for even this man of lore Why? From the death of Hector to this day History has always shown of the way Virtuous men have fought through the centuries To ensure, preserve, and protect our liberties Twas in the summer of 1945 On Okinawa island be bowed his head and died At God’s side was now a loved son As mother Lambert’s prayers begun As for us behind he left We vow to remember and never forget In Loving Memory of Corporal Joseph Lambert K. Company 5th Marines Of the Legendary 1st Marine Division He was there at the beginning Guadalcanal through to the end At Okinawa. Just another Marine doing his job, saving the world. RFS | ||||
In Memory This is in Memory of my favorite Cousin, Daniel Fernandez, killed in World War 2, and is buried over there in Europe or France. Love Always, God be With You All, Always! | ||||
Uncle My uncle was stationed aboard the USS Swordfish during WWII that was lost. He lost his life about five years before I was born but I feel that I never got to know him and I probably would have if he had come back. He was young. By the stories that my mom told me, I know that he was doing what he really wanted to do and that was to serve in the Navy aboard a subarine. I now have a son who is in the Navy stationed aboard the USS kentucky and I know that my sons great uncle was part of the inspiration that lead to his carfeer in the Navy, aboard Subarines. We also have a son who is in the Army and is studying to be a Chaplain serving the Army. Thank yhou so much for the wonderful concert. | ||||
world war 11 hi i just want to say i really like the show and i want to also say my father louis brozo served in world war 2 and he died 30 years ago and just wanted to let you know and thanks for all who served and i watch your show every year and never miss it just want to say thanks for the great job you do, | ||||
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