Today, my uncle was laid to rest. We drove 3 hours to his hometown. He was the last surviving WW II vet at his church. While I never got to hear his war stories, I did find out that he served in the Army Air Corp and was part of a bombing mission in Africa. It was heartwarming hearing stories from his friends at church. I learned that he made this cross!
While we're glad to learn the things we often learn at funerals, it's a little saddening that we don't get to learn them earlier. Condolences, Danette.
Clare is a "card sender" and the "Sympathy" folder is the one that needs to be replenished most frequently now that we're getting older.
@rhoing I am still a card sender, too. I feel like I try to get stories from our relatives. My siblings and cousins will call me when they need information. My one cousin and I rib each other over who asks the hardest questions (between the two of us). One of my uncle's church friends said my uncle did not tell many war stories. His family did not share any. I understand from what was said yesterday that many WWII veterans will not discuss the war. Maybe amongst each other they do. My FIL never told a story to his family, but he did leave behind a photo album of the war.
@danette They do talk to each other. We listened to a wonderful podcast about the USS Indianapolis. It had a top secret mission in the Pacific at the end of the war — which it completed — but was sunk by a Japanese submarine upon its return. It was something of a perfect storm of things-gone-wrong and the survivors were in the water for days. Someone finally organized a reunion — as late as the 1960s? 1970s? — and an author-journalist was permitted to attend. Amongst each other, they talk. I also know from Brokaw's _Greatest Generation_ that *combat* veterans will only talk about *those* experiences with *other* combat veterans and I get it. They saw stuff and did stuff…
The day after tomorrow is the anniversary of D-Day (79th) and some channel(s) will show "Saving Private Ryan" and a "Band of Brothers" marathon. Both are gripping.
I was about to comment on today's photo when I saw mention of the funeral, and how sorry I was to read that. Funerals bring both sadness and comfort when you're gathered there with family and friends. Like your uncle, my father (1913-1973) never spoke of his war experiences, and I know nothing of that aspect of his life. I find it touching that your uncle built that cross you pictured, and it's perhaps the best depiction of the day you could have shared.
That's too bad you never heard what he experienced. but maybe like a lot of people who served during wartime, they don't want to relive what they experienced.
We went to a funeral last evening to say our goodbyes to a former neighbor who passed away at the age of 102. He too served in the Army Air Corps.
Clare is a "card sender" and the "Sympathy" folder is the one that needs to be replenished most frequently now that we're getting older.
The day after tomorrow is the anniversary of D-Day (79th) and some channel(s) will show "Saving Private Ryan" and a "Band of Brothers" marathon. Both are gripping.
That's too bad you never heard what he experienced. but maybe like a lot of people who served during wartime, they don't want to relive what they experienced.
We went to a funeral last evening to say our goodbyes to a former neighbor who passed away at the age of 102. He too served in the Army Air Corps.