Phusebox

independence day

July 04 2006

well, this is my first 4th of july without either of my grandfathers.

i miss both of them, but they did leave me something:

their stories.

i remember stories about getting seasick on a transport across the south pacific, being one of the first troops to land in japan, and crying at the sight of an utterly demolished hiroshima.

i remember stories about pulling unconcious shipmates from the inside of a burning ship . . . and going back inside 4 more times to look for more.

i remember stories about giant killer mosquitos, mail call, and air raids.

and i remember the story of a best friend being shot down over vietnam.

and do you know what?

i'm proud.

of my grandfathers, my family, and my country.

and i hope you're proud, too.

have a wonderful 4th of july.

and, if you still have your grandfathers, give them a big hug (for me).

Beautiful_Wreck

July 04 2006

Both sets of my Grandfathers are on a trip to Alaska. on a cruise. And I see them about 4 times a year. Sound like you are getting better. 3 more days:-)

i still have one gradpa and hes so great..i get to hear those stories still...and i am very proud..i cant give him a hug for you tho because im here in murfreesboro(fear not tho keatons got it covered..)..at mtsu...ugh...anyways are you gunna come see fireworks or what?

Sara Shaban

July 04 2006

amazing...

kelsey shearron

July 04 2006

yea..well thats what my family is doing too...theyre at my grandparents...

Sara Shaban

July 04 2006

by the way...when should we plan for movie night at my house.

beth cooper

July 04 2006

those sound like some amazing stories. your grandfathers must have been wonderful. have a great 4th of july!

Bethany Bratcher

July 05 2006

My grandfather always told us a story about being in the war and one of his friends was killed. They were on a boat with no place to keep dead soldiers, so they had to be tossed overboard. My grandfather was given the job of cleaning out the man's pockets and in his wallet he saw a picture of a beautiful wife and little girl. My grandfather never failed to cry why telling his story and I think that was a defining moment in his life. It sounds pretty normal, but when you stop and think about it, you can feel the sorrow he felt that day, knowing that the 2 people in that picture would never see their loved one again and he would never even have a proper burial. People can argue about war and if it is right or wrong, but there are soldiers who fight for their country and lose their lives doing so and they deserve all of our respect and more. It's awesome that we can learn something from the stories that our grandparents pass on to us.... hope you had a good 4th of July!