6/15/2014

Love, Gramps

When my dad was finally ready to talk about his experiences in World War II, it was not to his children, but to his grandsons. He wanted them to know the facts, the history. Dad wanted my sons to know the horrors of war, and the foolishness of politicians. Long before he started yelling at Dubya on the nightly news, Dad put together this letter with photos for the boys who were at that time a first grader, a preschooler, and a toddler.


The 45th Infantry Museum was a favorite family outing during the short time we lived in Oklahoma.














 






Dad managed to hop up to sit on the hood of a jeep and break the folded-down windshield, so this was a true life cautionary tale.






Jim Mitchell, Dallas Morning News editorial writer had similar thoughts this week between the D-Day anniversary and Father's Day.

And you of tender years

Can't know the fears that your elders grew by

And so please help them with your youth

They seek the truth before they can die
Don't you ever ask them why, if they told you, you would cry,
So just look at them and sigh and know they love you.


© 2014 Nancy L. Ruder

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