My Hero Has Passed
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 1:32 pm
Hi,
I am a long time reader of this forum, an occasional beta tester, and very infrequent poster here. I just wanted to drop a note to let you all know my uncle, who served with the 136 infantry regiment in the pacific war from 1943-46 passed yesterday suddenly. He was 87. To me he was my hero growing up.
I spent many hours fishing and hunting with my uncle and he would occasionally tell me about his time in the service. He seldom discussed combat. I asked him once if he would consider recording his experiences for the sake of history and for a legacy to generations to follow. He told me quietly that he had worked hard in his life to forget and move beyond the sights, sounds, and memories of that period of his life and did not wish to return to them in detail. I respected that.
One thing he did tell me was how he met my aunt. His sargeant had a sister. When his seargent was killed in combat he said he would look up his family if and when he returned home. He did return home and met his future wife that way. She passed away several years ago.
A year ago, his grandaughter lost her husband, a marine, in Helmond province to a roadside bomb. I remember watching a news clip (I live some distance away from him) and seeing him at the airport to recieve the casket from the marine honor guard. The look on his face was something new to me and I believe I will never forget. There was an emptiness in his eyes and a distance in them. For one who has never served in the armed forces, it made me wonder if this was the price he paid for seeing combat. It made me glad that I did not have to carry that burden.
I have had some time to reflect on his passing since yesterday. I will miss him greatly. He was a unique man and something of a genious when it came to inventions. He never went to college, but did very well for his family. Even in his 80s he could get up and make his way to the deer stand in 20 degree weather in a Michigan snowstorm and hunt like the best of us. I am grateful for his time with me growing up and for what he chose to share about his time in the pacific freely. If you have a relative who has served and is still with us, cherish the time.
Russ
I am a long time reader of this forum, an occasional beta tester, and very infrequent poster here. I just wanted to drop a note to let you all know my uncle, who served with the 136 infantry regiment in the pacific war from 1943-46 passed yesterday suddenly. He was 87. To me he was my hero growing up.
I spent many hours fishing and hunting with my uncle and he would occasionally tell me about his time in the service. He seldom discussed combat. I asked him once if he would consider recording his experiences for the sake of history and for a legacy to generations to follow. He told me quietly that he had worked hard in his life to forget and move beyond the sights, sounds, and memories of that period of his life and did not wish to return to them in detail. I respected that.
One thing he did tell me was how he met my aunt. His sargeant had a sister. When his seargent was killed in combat he said he would look up his family if and when he returned home. He did return home and met his future wife that way. She passed away several years ago.
A year ago, his grandaughter lost her husband, a marine, in Helmond province to a roadside bomb. I remember watching a news clip (I live some distance away from him) and seeing him at the airport to recieve the casket from the marine honor guard. The look on his face was something new to me and I believe I will never forget. There was an emptiness in his eyes and a distance in them. For one who has never served in the armed forces, it made me wonder if this was the price he paid for seeing combat. It made me glad that I did not have to carry that burden.
I have had some time to reflect on his passing since yesterday. I will miss him greatly. He was a unique man and something of a genious when it came to inventions. He never went to college, but did very well for his family. Even in his 80s he could get up and make his way to the deer stand in 20 degree weather in a Michigan snowstorm and hunt like the best of us. I am grateful for his time with me growing up and for what he chose to share about his time in the pacific freely. If you have a relative who has served and is still with us, cherish the time.
Russ
