re: #30 researchok

My grandfather fought in WWI.

He saw action at the Battle of Passchendaele. He was awarded a medal because he and others stood their ground even as the Germans brought out tanks, heretofore unknown.

My grandfather used to say there was no bravery involved- they were all just frozen in terror as they saw these loud, noisy machines coming right at them. He later fought in other battles where he saw firsthand the effects of mustard gas. His mates were hospitalized at ages 17-19.

He would visit his mates in veteran homes for decades after the war, until they were gone. Every now and them he’d rage at the ‘bloody Huns’ for using gas. He never bought anything German.

Just before he passed, my sister bought a BMW. He gently told her he would not get into her car when she came to visit. She apologized and he shushed her. He told her it was because he missed his mates.

After WW2, my grandparents took in refugees who were sponsored by the Birk’s family of Canada (Old money. They owned the Canadian equivalent of Tiffany’s).

Americans are blessed. They have never known modern era war on their soil. That said, Europe is grateful to America.

Ask any European of a certain age what hope looks like and they will tell you it looks like some farm kid from Iowa or Nebraska or Brooklyn or New Mexico. They will tell you he came, liberated and went home.

And he didn’t ask for a damn thing.

My father fought in WW 2 as did the Roi’s father. Both have passed away.

When I saw the WW 2 memorial in DC, when I walked up to it - my eyes teared up, just suddenly, unexpectedly, unintentionally. It’s a very moving memorial.