My mother adds her mementoes of husband and son to a Veterans Day display.
Residents and staff of Provisions Living in Hattiesburg, MS, were preparing for observance of Veterans Day yesterday. Staff members were helping arrange photos, newspaper clippings, medals from residents’ own war experiences or from the military experiences of loved ones.
The Wikipedia description of the Nov. 11 federal holiday noted that it is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I. According to the Wikipedia entry, the German signing of Armistice formally ended the major hostilities of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.
Although I don't know about World War I veterans in my mother's and father's extended family (one more thing I never asked about), Mother and I spent a few moments just now tallying up those in our family who served in World War II. There were my father and three of his brothers, my mother's two brothers, the husbands of three of her sisters, and three of my father's nephews.
All those young soldiers came home about the same time after the war and a crop of babies inevitably followed. I grew up thinking every child had dozens of cousins about the same age. I also observed at a young age the lasting scars war inflicts, even when a soldier escapes physical injury.
God bless veterans and their families.
Although I don't know about World War I veterans in my mother's and father's extended family (one more thing I never asked about), Mother and I spent a few moments just now tallying up those in our family who served in World War II. There were my father and three of his brothers, my mother's two brothers, the husbands of three of her sisters, and three of my father's nephews.
All those young soldiers came home about the same time after the war and a crop of babies inevitably followed. I grew up thinking every child had dozens of cousins about the same age. I also observed at a young age the lasting scars war inflicts, even when a soldier escapes physical injury.
God bless veterans and their families.
Interesting information. And what a good picture of your mom with the pics of loved ones. Does she live nearby?
ReplyDeleteI was one of those war babies, born in 1944. thanks for sharing your family memories and tell your mother she is beautiful.
ReplyDelete