No doubt all of the members of this list will be taking a pause in our
busy lives to appreciate the sacrifices American servicemen and women
have made in our behalf. There is so much we owe them - for preserving
a land where many of us can relax over burgers and watermelon; have the
freedom to worship (or not) where and when we want; and we even have the
right to ignore our responsibilities to inform ourselves and vote in all
primaries and general elections. It's not sad we have that right. But
the low turnouts in primaries and steady decline in voter enrollments
seem to me to dishonor those sacrifices.
Terrible things are sometimes done by all sides during wars. Innocent
civilians die or are maimed. Troops are killed by "friendly fire". But
that in no way lessons our responsibility to acknowledge and appreciate
the sacrifices made on our behalf throughout the ages. Not only to
those who gave their lives, but also to appreciate the sacrifice of
those who returned -- but with damaged bodies and/or minds. I remember
well a coworker who was in constant pain after having his back broken in
several places from a glider crash during the Normandy invasion. And
various "shell shocked" veterans who were never able to resume
"normal"
lives. Appreciation is also due those who sacrificed at home. We've
mentioned earlier the epic struggle of Tioga Co. farm wives to hold
their families together and operate the farms without the assistance of
able bodied men. And those familiar with WW2 know that the efforts of
"Rosey the Riveter" were crucial to produce the ships, tanks, and planes
needed to win. And all those who struggled on to do their part while
grieving lost or missing loved ones also deserved remembrance.
Many such feelings were present at Nelson's old "Decoration Day"
observances. In spite of the sometimes festive spirits of an "Old Home
Day" as friends and relatives greeted each other (perhaps after
decades), and honored the graves of all their loved ones with flowers.
But with the rifle salutes of a military honor guard and the playing of
Taps by a bugler -- even if you skipped the speeches (as a kid I tuned
them out) -- honoring veterans was always part of the picture. Graves
with G.A.R. or "Great War" markers all received flags and flowers-- and
those few graves with markers form earlier wars. As well as the fresh
graves with WW2 markers on my early visits. Many had know family
members who had fought in the Civil War and many had served in WW1.
Veterans of the more recent wars are not part of my boyhood memories,
but their service is just as appreciated.
The "Campbells of Nelson & Related Luggs & Blackwells" on-line family
tree I published, and the web site I plan to create soon, should
acknowledge the military service of members of our family. Feel free to
look in that tree and write me about omissions of military service. I
know I have not added those notes yet for many family members -- it
takes a lot of time, but your reminder will help. Or, just write to me,
or to the list, about those family members you know were in a branch of
the service, including WACS, WAVES, and nursing corps. Let's make sure
it gets recorded before the knowledge is lost.
On behalf of all the family --- Thanks to those who served.
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