The numbers of WW II Veterans are dwindling and we just lost another one. My Uncle Lloyd passed on last Sunday. He fought in France and Italy but never told any war stories. But he could go on about the fun times he had at stateside bases before going over and after returning.
He came back a decorated hero. He also came back "shell shocked," but pressed on like a true soldier. He married his sweetheart, raised two fine children with her, retired from his factory job after 30 years, and became a beloved uncle and grandpa to many, including me.
His claim to fame was his ability to calm a crying baby and charm any child. He was a friendly card sharp and an avid Cardinals fan.
He lost his hearing and his sight in his last years. We think he lost his memory too. But he could still tell tales of an 18 year old boy breaking horses and fleecing his fellow soldiers in barracks poker games. His final years brought declining health and mobility, but he never lost his kind and gentle nature. Quiet in his own darkening world, he would still respond immediately when a child entered his presence, embracing her and setting her on his knee.
The picture I have in my mind is from the last time I saw him, my children at his feet. This gentle man, eyes unseeing but still alert, holding my hand, voice reduced to a whisper, and there behind him the black and white picture of the brave soldier of 65 years ago.
God bless you Uncle Lloyd. May you rest in The Lord's peace. You've earned it.
3 comments:
May the Lord Bless you and your family in this tim. Brian
In my opinion WWII, (and please excuse any oversimplification you may perceive regarding this next statement) was, at least, at its best, in my opinion, a war against racism.
Science books as rcently as the
40's and 50's I believe, had things like 1.white: caucasian..., 2.yellow: oriental..., etc... (at least in Canada) these notions were allowed to die off in the collective consciousness of the west, quite possibly with WWII acting as a psychological catalyst.
Now, from what I've read of your blog posts, you're a quasi-intellectual with strong convictions that hold your mind captive. One thing I don't understand is how you can, even as a political 'loser' (afterall your team did lose for the first time in about 8 years) not write one thing about Obama that is positive in the slightest.
You are clearly interested in politics, no? Why can't you say, "I disagree with him on some (even "most") issues, but the historicity of his win almost brought tears to my eyes on election night?" Mind you, not because your team lost, but because you are not completely incapable of moral sentiment.
N.B.
I'm sorry for you lose; he sounds like a very interesting guy. I know it must have been hard on you and your family when his memory started going, I've experienced a similar sort of... tragedy.
http://reaching-oblivion.blogspot.com/
... Well, I'm not an intellectual but I do have strong convictions that I supposed hold my mind captive at times. Doesn't that describe most of us who care about something?
I recommend you read my first two posts after the election. Both were about Mr. Obama and neither was negative. I am firmly in the "Give the man a chance" camp.
If you also look back, you will see how vehemently I've been criticizing Republicans, pseudo-conservatives and the Wall Street welfare queens who still have the temerity to call themselves capitalists.
I am no cheerleader for the GOP. I take a dark view of politics and I think all politicians bear close scrutiny, not worship.
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