1918 marks the 100 year anniversary of the U.S. entry into WW1. My paternal grandfather, Clare, fought in France with Company K, 101st Regiment, 26th Division, the "Yankee Division". He fought alongside two future brothers-in-law and his older brother Leon who was killed at the end of September in 1918. My grandfather was not fighting in the same sector as Leon, but managed to make it to the Aide Station where Leon lay, mortally wounded and was by his side as he died.
Our Hanover Historical Society will be compiling an exhibit in the fall. I have my grandfather's letters home, his books about Company K and a few artifacts from his service. I decided to do a painting after about a week of research and much thought, I began today. I'm still working out the background, the horrors of trench warfare in the upper left, a field of poppies and my 'grampa' in his uniform( much to do with that part of the painting, the fun part) just before discharge and reunion with his family, one of three families in this small town to have lost a son to "The Great War". The next time you see it, the background may have completely changed, but this is what I accomplished today. I'm striving show him leaving war behind and facing the sun and peace, finally.
He was a lovely man, who spoke of only once of the war to me. It was a chilling story of a night he spent alone in no man's land, disoriented in the dark, lying flat until he could crawl back to his regiment at first light.
I retired from public school teaching after happily spending twenty eight years playing in Kindergarten. Now I fill my days watching cat antics, taking endless...
