Last night I touched on this a bit & it's inspired me to tell a story I've never told before in public. My grandfather, newly married, came to the USA from Cuba in order to make a better life for himself and his young wife. He came over before her and then something happened.
WWII broke out. He was given a choice, go back to Cuba or serve in the military. The carrot? If he he made it out alive he would be made a citizen. He was already in his mid thirties and in 1943, at 36, he became a US citizen. My grandmother became a citizen 9 years later.
My grandfather loved being in the army, he showed me how to shine shoes properly, how to fold my pants and make my bed the RIGHT way. More importantly he'd constantly remind me, shoulders back, stand straight. When I feel myself slouching, I still hear his voice.
My father was drafted and served in Korea, he was actually stationed within a MASH unit for some time. He told me stories about driving out in the jeep marked with the big red cross and running out onto the field to pick up the wounded or what pieces were left.
He'd laugh when he recalled being told that there were rules of engagement, medics and those handling the wounded wearing the crosses on their arm were not fair game for either side. But they still tried to shoot his ass to kingdom come.
When he passed away I discovered a rifle from the war that he had stored in a box and a suitcase filled with love letters that he had written to my mother. She kept every single one of them and he kept every one she sent back.
Mentioning both my father and grandfather tangentially in a post last night made me wish, as I often do, that they were both still here.
They fought for this country allowing me the great fortune to be born here as well as having two wonderful men, faults and all, as role models and fathers.
Maybe someday I'll tell more of our stories and adventures together.
Maybe someday I'll tell more of our stories and adventures together.
Why am I writing this? I honestly don't know, I rarely talk about personal stuff on social, but I just got to thinking about them and felt like I should tell a bit of their story.
Maybe I'll know better tomorrow.
Be good to each other.
Maybe I'll know better tomorrow.
Be good to each other.
