Monday, May 26, 2014

A Memorial Day reflection

I was thinking today about my family's military history.  As far as I know none of my immediate ancestors died in battle but we do have a long military background.  A multi-great grandfather, Philip Von Steinmetz, came to the colonies before the Revolutionary War (legend says he escaped from Germany after he was arrested for killing the king's deer) and fought in the Revolutionary War.  My husband had a picture of a multi-great uncle in a Civil War uniform but I don't know any more about him.  My father-in-law fought in World War I.  He died years later of heart and lung problems aggravated by inhaling mustard gas in battle. My father served in World War II and was deployed to, of all places, Brazil.  My husband was in Korea after the Korean War in a time referred to as the Korean Occupation.  My older brother was in Viet Nam and came home with a smashed ankle but very much alive.  My younger brother was in the Air Force but happily not during a time of war. Now my daughter and son-in-law are both active military, and have been deployed, between them, six times.

I just realized, in all this long list, my daughter is the only woman.  Yea!! Beth!!

I proudly salute them all and thank God for many safe returns from deployments.

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