I repeat this story often, because we must never forget the sacrifice of the greatest generation. Not only the greatest generation, but the sacrifice of all of those who followed and are still following in their footsteps. I want my grandchildren to understand that men and women have paid a great price for our freedom.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:9 ESV
Veterans Day is officially tomorrow, November, 11. I am honoring my favorite veteran, my Daddy!
Daddy was born during the depths of the Great Depression in the Foothills of the Appalachians in NE AL. He was born into a typical rural, working class, Southern family. His childhood was similar to all children who grew up during that impoverished era. He spent his days attending school, playing with his older brother and younger sister. Daddy discovered baseball at an early age. During the spring of his senior year, he was scouted by the Cleveland Indians and was offered a contract to play professional baseball. He signed later that year and was sent to spring training in Marietta, Florida. After two successful years in Class A, he was transferred to Class AA. The major league was now in sight!
But that was when the draft board notified him.
By this time, the Korean War was fully engaged and his country needed him. Leaving his beloved family and a promising baseball career was secondary to serving his country. Although he loved both, he left without hesitation. Early January of 1951, army recruits from Northeast AL were sent to Gadsden to board a train headed for Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. Before their long train ride, they ate at a local diner-the Star Cafe on Broad Street. Working the cash register that evening was a beautiful dark-eyed young lady, and in God’s sovereignty, my Daddy had been assigned to handle the meal expenses. They spoke casually as he paid and went on his way. Captivated by him, she wrote down her address and slipped it to the last man leaving and asked him to pass it on to the man who paid the bill.
With strong mathematical skills, Daddy was assigned to a surveyor team for artillery with the Seventh Infantry Division of the U.S. Army. He arrived in Korea in August of 1951. His unit was often assigned to work ahead of the front lines and was constantly in harm’s way. November 5, 1951, dawned a cold and cloudy day as my Daddy and two other surveyors climbed Heartbreak Ridge, slightly north of the Thirty-Eighth Parallel in North Korea. About 1:30 that afternoon, the first man tripped a land mine. The “Bouncing Betty” immediately exploded and all three men were seriously wounded. Daddy’s first memory was being transported by helicopter, strapped underneath, to Taegu Hospital. He received large amounts of shrapnel to his upper body and face and suffered significant loss of blood. While in the hospital, he was awarded The Purple Heart. Within a month, Daddy was back to his outfit seeing front line action on a daily basis. He left Korea in August, 1952, and was honorably discharged October, 1952. In addition to The Purple Heart, he was awarded the Korean Service Medal and two bronze stars.
Upon his return, he began dating the dark-eyed cashier at the Star Cafe. Daddy recently told me that he didn’t receive the slip of paper with her address until the train arrived at Fort Chaffee. The man had forgotten to give it to him. It was three or four months later before Daddy wrote the beautiful cashier. Upon receiving his first letter, she faithfully corresponded while he served and defended his country. After a short courtship, they married December 24, 1952. My parents established a loving home that was Christ-centered. I only have wonderful memories of my Daddy and Mother loving each other and my brother and me. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, my childhood was as perfect as you can have in this life. Discipline balanced with love, not material possessions, but the treasures that money will never buy.
Daddy’s life is an example of a simple life, but one worth emulating. He is most proud of his family; my brother and me, two grandsons, a granddaughter, six great-grandsons and two great-granddaughters. At 93, he still lives alone and has a sharp mind and a keen sense of humor. He is deeply patriotic and has great concern for our country. I am grateful for, and do not take for granted each passing day that my Heavenly Father allows me to have my earthly Father. I am so proud of my Daddy and he is and always will be my favorite veteran!
Wishing all Veterans a blessed day. We are extremely grateful for each of you!
Linking with: Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
Pam, What wonderful and loving life your dad has lead. You are truly blessed to still have him with you. We are thankful for our veterans and the men and women who serve to protect us. ♥
Thank you, Mary. He is a sweet blessing 🙏🏻♥️
I love this story of your Daddy, Pam, and always love hearing you mention him with updates. In that young photo of him, I immediately thought of EK. Is it just the red hair, or do you all think so too? And I always thought EM was her mother’s daughter, but she favors her paternal grandmother too!
Please thank your Daddy for his service to our country and for raising such a beautiful person in you!
Thank you, Rita. Some say she looks like me and most people say I look like my Daddy. EK has a very sensitive spirit. I will read these sweet comments to Daddy 🙏🏻🇺🇸
What a wonderful story. You are blessed! Thank you for sharing. ❤️
Thank you 🙏🏻🇺🇸
What a sweet, sweet tribute. I cried as I read. What a blessing and legacy he and you are passing on. To God be the glory! Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much 🙏🏻🇺🇸
What a full life your father has led. God obviously had plans by saving his life and sending him back to that beautiful cashier. He and EK look so much alike in that first picture, and you look like him in the last! Please give him my heartfelt thanks for his service to our country. I join him and millions of others in concern and prayer for the state of the nation and the world. Thank you for sharing your family with us, I never get tired of their stories.
Thank you, Roxanne. I will read all of the sweet comments to him!
Pam, this is such a loving and heartfelt tribute to your daddy. He is truly part of the greatest generation. I know your Dad and Mom must have been wonderful parents because they raised such a loving, kind, and beautiful daughter. Please thank your daddy for his service to our country. We must never forget our veterans and the soldiers protecting our freedoms.❤️🇺🇸💙
Thank you, sweet friend 🙏🏻🇺🇸
You are absolutely right — we must never forget. And I love hearing about your Daddy — you are so very fortunate, as I’m sure you know, to still have him in your life. I’m with Rita — tell him “thank you.” For all of us.
Thank you, Jeanie. I will read these sweet comments to him.
Thank you for your service and God Bless
🙏🏻🇺🇸🙏🏻
Thank you for sharing Pam, what a wonderful story, and you are so blessed to still have him. I lost my father when I was 36, he served in WWII but was stationed in Washington DC doing paperwork and never did active duty. Unfortunately he was killed in a car accident when he was 72 and it tore my heart out…
Jenna
Jenna, thank you for sharing about your father. I am so sorry, he was young. I can’t begin to imagine your heartbreak at 36.
What a lovely life story. Yes, these men were the greatest generation!! My dad also was part of this generation. It is disheartening to see many of the youth today. They need to get their act together. God help them and us.
Thank you, Caron 🇺🇸🙏🏻
What a blessing your daddy’s life has been to his family and those he has touched throughout his life. An example for all. May his every day be guided by our Lord and Savior and kept safe in Gods righteous right hand.Only one of the greatest generation but a shining light for all to see.
Thanks so much, my friend! What heartwarming words 🙏🏻🇺🇸
What a beautiful story to share about your Daddy. What an amazing man and beautiful blessing he is to you and your family. You look a lot like your dad. My dad was in the Korean War too. They deserve so much honor and praise for risking their lives for our country. God had bigger plans for him than playing professional baseball but what an honor to have been in the AA’s. Happy Friday and have a wonderful weekend. Hugs. Kris
Thank you, Kris. Grateful for your Dad’s service to our country 🙏🏻🇺🇸
Pam, thank you for sharing a glimpse into your wonderful father. How blessed to have him. Thank him for his service to our country. Without him and countless others who knows what this country or world would be like.
Thanks so much, Elizabeth 🙏🏻🇺🇸
Thank you, dear Pam, for telling your dad’s story. Tears of gratitude and admiration flowing here. May we never forget the price that was, and is being paid to secure, defend and protect freedom.
Yes, and thank you Cindie 🙏🏻🇺🇸
What a great tribute to your daddy. Thank him for his service and a thanks to all the men and women that went before him and after. We must never forget freedom is not free.
Thank you, Della 🙏🏻🇺🇸
Just a lovely tribute!
Thank you, Pam 🙏🏻🇺🇸
Pam, thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. Please thank him for his service. As they say “Freedom ain’t free” Sorry to say patriotism isn’t what it used to be. My uncles served and earned a Purple Heart. Sometimes I wonder “Who are the men he served with ?”
Three things changed this country forever:
They took prayer out of school
They stopped the draft (and boys didn’t become men)
Women went to work. These kids aren’t cuddled, read to, and sung to ( unless you have a large extended family close to babysit)
I love that you include the Lord in your blog.
Thank you, Myrna! Our country is so different from when I grew up. 🙏🏻🇺🇸
I never tire of hearing sweet Daddy’s story retold. What a legacy he has engendered and I am grateful to him for his service and dedication to
family and country. Such a sweet love story and he was fortunate the pretty
lady reached out, or just look at what he might have missed. God’s heavenly game/plan board is fascinating… You are a great credit to them both, dear one. Heritage
Thanks so much, Mary 🙏🏻🇺🇸 Love and hugs ♥️
Please tell your Dad, a heartfelt thank you for serving our Country!
Thank you, so much 🙏🏻🇺🇸
I always enjoy seeing your sweet Daddy’s pictures and hearing parts of his life story. He is indeed a wonderful blessing to his family and this nation. Let him know we thank him for his service to this nation. Happy Veterans Day to all who served. Clara❤️
Thanks so much, Clara 🙏🏻♥️
Beautiful tribute to your wonderful Dad. My Dad was part of the greatest generation and served in WW11. What a great heritage. I am so grateful to our veterans.
Grateful for your Dad’s service, Dianne. Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing a lovely tribute to your father! And I love this – “Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s, my childhood was as perfect as you can have in this life. Discipline balanced with love, not material possessions, but the treasures that money will never buy.”
Thank you, Mary ♥️
You look like your Dad Pam! And I can see your grandson there too! 🙂
November 11 is called Rememberence Day here in Australia & we remember all those Allies who gave their lives in all the modern wars for our freedom.
We mark it as Remembering them on the 11th day of the 11th month at 11am with a minute of silence across our nation.
Literally our nation stops for that time, shopping centres announce it & everyone stops, then after a minute silence the poem “We shall remember them” is read by the annoucer. This happens on all media broadcasts & in all work places.
Anzac Day on April 25th remembers our Australian & New Zealand men & women who fought for us which would be similar to your Veteran’s Day 🙂
Blessings sweet friend a beautiful post, Jennifer
Thank you, Jennifer! I so enjoyed reading about your Remembrance Day and Anzac Day. I appreciate you sharing about your observances that I was not aware of!
Blessings my friend.
Pam
“… a shining light for all to see”! Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute to your darling Father. God bless you all. Happy Veteran’s Day.
Thank you dear one!
Such a awesome post. It’s important to remember how the United State “got here” and got the freedoms we have. I did a post on my dad here. https://jeanneselep.blogspot.com/2010/11/veterans-day.html Your post is making me want to redo another, possibly next Veterans day?
Thank you and I am coming over to read!
This is such a beautiful story about your daddy Pam, and thank you for sharing. He sounds like a very brave and kind person and I am so glad that he is still with you! I think he is about the same age as my mom and I know that there is not a day that goes by where I do not feel grateful and blessed that she is still with us!
Thank you, Kim! You and I both have much to be grateful for!
Your daddy sounds like a wonderful man. I don’t remember if I told you, but my daddy also served in Korea. I have pictures of him over there. May God bless you with many more years with your sweet daddy.
Cheryl, I do remember you telling me that your daddy served in Korea. Thank you dear one, Pam