Family Veterans

Both sides of my family served the United States in the military from the Revolutionary War to WWII. If you have read my historical November 11th military themed 365 posts in the past, you may remember that my paternal grandfather lost his older brother, Leon very close to the end of WWI in the trenches of France. He fought along side his brother and two future brothers-in-law before that sometimes tragic practice of family members serving together, was ended.

In the collage, upper left, is my paternal great grandfather who served in the Civil War, in the Union Army Infantry. Through a connection with a Civil War historian and collector, we have copies of some of his letters home. We also have a copy of his Civil War diary, the original was passed down to other members of the family. He had 13 children with two wives, the last born when he was 72! Lewis was born in 1842 and died at home in 1944 as his many grandsons, including my father were fighting in WWII. My painting shows him in his uniform, a bit taller, or larger than life. He was a well known and popular figure around town, marching in all the parades until his late 90s.

In the upper left is Leon, his son who was killed in September 1918 in the trenches of France. He served along side his younger brother, my paternal grandfather and two of my grandfather's future brothers-in-law. Leon was initially buried in a National Cemetery in France. I visited there in 1978. He was brought home to Hanover in 1921 and buried with a military service. He and Leon are now buried in the same plot.

In the lower left is my father who served in the US Army Air Force. He was a member of the China, Burma India theater, serving in high tea country in India. He serviced planes of the brave "Hump" pilots who flew flew military transport aircraft from India to China to resupply the Chinese war effort of Chiang Kai-shek and the units of the United States Army Air Forces based in China.


In the lower left is my paternal grandfather who fought in France with his brother and future relatives. My painting shows him as he returned with the terrors of war behind him. He only spoke of his service once to me, a story of a terrifying night alone in No Mans Land in France, separated from his unit. Never about the loss of his older brother.


My maternal grandfather served in the Lighthouse Service, Merchant Marine and Coast Guard. His relatives fought as well in the Revolutionary War in the first naval battle of the war fought in Machias Bay.

I hope I have honored their service with this collage. If only we could give PEACE A CHANCE.


For the Record,
This day came in sunny and warm again, the rain will be back tomorrow and Saturday I fear.

All hands honoring our dads today and their service in the US Army Air Force and US Navy in WWII.