I’ve always been fascinated with World War II. I am not an expert on the conflict and I don’t know all of the battles and reasons for the war other than what I learned in school. I think one of the reasons that I’m fascinated with it is the fact that both of my grandfathers fought in it on both fronts.
My grandpa Ed Lassiter was a “sea bee” in the Pacific theater. My grandpa Wes Smith marched across Europe with a mortar on his back. It is hard to imagine them as young men (10 years younger than I am now) doing their duty for their country. But they were there. They were young men, just becoming adults, doing what they had to do for their country.
Have you seen Saving Private Ryan? Do you remember the first scene of the movie? The old man, kneeling at grave marker in France, flooded with memories of his time in the war. I know both of my grandfathers carried those memories around in their minds. The brutality of conflict, the sight of injured friends, the smell of smoke and destruction, the pain of war.
Neither one of my grandfathers really talked about their time in the war. My grandpa Wes wrote a “book” about his time in the war called A Walkers Tour of Europe. It is not a descriptive best selling novel. It is just a recount of events that he participated. “On this date I was in London. On this date I was in Germany…” I have always wondered if he ever wanted to include more in his book, but doesn’t want to delve deeper into his memory to pull those memories out.
I read a book about a year ago called Flags of Our Fathers. (Clint Eastwood has written and directed a movie based on the book that will be released soon) It was written by the son of one of the flag raisers from the famous image that was captured on Mount Siribachi on the island of Iwo Jima. It was a fascinating book that captured the essence of the battle for the island and the battle in the minds of the men who fought in this battle. I just can’t help but to be in awe of these heroic men. It was the greatest generation indeed.
So, here’s my salute to those men and women who fought for our country. If you know a veteran, thank them. Tell them how much they mean. Thank them for their sacrifice and dedication. Thank them for the memories they hold on to that are too painful to recount. Whether they are 20 or 120, thank them.
