Pepaw served in World War II. He was in the Army, but was in the air division which is what would become its own branch of the military known as the Air Force. He did 51 missions in a B-17. He was the flight engineer and tail gunner. He was originally stationed at a base in northern Africa and did bombing missions over Italy to liberate Italy. Once Italy was liberated, they moved to Italy to do bombing missions over Germany. Mr. W always heard that Pepaw's squadron started out with 60 planes and only 2 of those original planes were remaining when his tour was up and he went home. The plane Pepaw flew on blew up shortly after he left. All 6 of the crew were killed. I'm guessing God had a plan for his life. I mean, come on, Mr. W would not have been born, I would have married someone else, my kids would have not been the same kids, my grandkids......you get the picture. Pepaw went over there as a young 19 year old boy and came back a very changed man. I cannot begin to imagine the things they saw and the death they encountered. He never talked about the war for years and years. Suddenly, when he was in his 60's, he started talking about the war. Then, you couldn't stop him from talking about it! It was interesting to hear some of the stories and had I been smart, I would have written some of them down. Pepaw passed away on March 22, 2013. He was 90 years old. I will never forget driving into the Houston Memorial Veteran's Cemetery (2nd largest veteran's cemetery in the US) that day and seeing the young men in uniform standing at attention and saluting the hearse as it drove up. They stood at both ends of the flag draped casket, taps were played, and the flag on the casket was folded and given to DWW. DWW and Mr. W were thanked for their Dad's service to our country. Pepaw would have been so proud. There are very few WW II vets left. December 7th, a day that will go down in infamy, got the US involved in the war. Let us not forget the attack that happened on our shores, to our citizens, to our military.
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| Pepaw and Memaw (Don't they look like Ingrid Bergman and Don Knotts?) |
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| Pepaw with his mom (Nanny) |
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| Pepaw with one of the guys that flew with him in his B-17. We're not sure if this was when he was in northern Africa or in Italy. |
World War II was not the war that ended all wars. I have an uncle that served in the Korean War that is still alive. My BIL served in the Vietnam War. My best friend's son has served 2 tours in Iraq and 1 tour in Afghanistan. I have another friend whose son will be graduating from Marine boot camp in 8 days and his military career is just beginning. It would be great to say, "OK everyone, let's have peace on earth and no more wars," and presto - everyone, everywhere would comply. Unfortunately, it is not going to happen.
Let us also not forget what happened on our shores, to our citizens on September 11, 2001. A deliberate, well planned out attack on our country. It was an act of terrorism. We should always keep that in our minds and teach it to our children and children's children lest we forget and let our guard down.
All I can say to all of you who have served in our military, who are now serving in our military, and to those that will someday serve in our military, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! It is not nearly enough for what you have done or will do. If you see someone in uniform, thank them. The United States of America is free because of the brave. These military men and women are some of the bravest people I know. God bless you vets and your families and God bless the USA.
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