It’s the 4th of July, 2019, and I can’t help looking back in history to remember that my Dad was one of the “Greatest Generation.” At the young age of 23, he enlisted in the Army the day after Pearl Harbor and spent the next four years in war torn Europe. He stormed the beach at Normandy on D Day and moved with the 29th Infantry as an artillery spotter. He was awarded a Bronze Star for heroism when he risked his life to recover a radio from a fallen soldier so he could call out coordinates. When the war was over he spent some time in Europe as a MP.
Returning to the States, he dated and married my mother on November 15, 1947. At first he returned to his job at Autocar in Wayne, PA. Next he got a job as a traveling salesman with the W.T. Rawleigh company out of Chester, PA. My mom didn’t like him being on the road for a week at a time, leaving her alone with my older brother and I. So, he followed in his Irish father’s footsteps and became a policeman at Radnor Township, PA. He also began a part time job as a driving instructor and earned enough money to support Mom and my three siblings. We were blessed to have a stay at home Mom who took care of us very lovingly.
My Dad didn’t like telling war stories and we would rarely hear about any of his exploits in Europe. The only time we would hear a story or two was when my uncle came to visit, Dad’s brother, who was too young to enlist during the war. Even then, Dad, would tell mostly humorous stories about things that happened.
I would like to take this day to honor my Dad, who died at 71 in 1990, and all the other brave men and women in military service who protect us and the country from domestic and international dangers. Thank you all for your service and may God bless you and your families.
