My grandfather lived from 1888 to 1977 and was a machine gunner in WW1.
My father lived from 1924 to 2007 and was a radio operator in WW2.
My father was one of maybe a million American men to take advantage of the GI Bill that created America’s middle class as folks were moving from farms to cities.
Growing up, I just knew I’d have to fight in WW3 but fortunately I did not.
I offer this brief family history as context for the reason I commend you, Junior, for keeping Pearl Harbor in your heart.
You see, one of grandfather’s complaints was that WW1 was forgotten when Armistice Day became Veterans Day in 1954.
Can you imagine, being yanked from your farm, sent to France to fight in the Great War where bodies had already been piling up for four years. More Americans died in WW1 than had ever died in any American war other than the Civil Waror would ever die in any other American war other than WW2 or Vietnam. It was supposed to be the war to end all wars and Armistice Day was supposed to be its day of remembrance. Now it’s just a day we honor all veterans, whether they fought or not, and the memory of WW1 is largely forgotten.
So in honor of my grandfather and his heartbroken dignity, Armistice Day is a day I always try to remember.
