POPPIES...

In Flanders Field, the poppies grow

Between the crosses

Row on Row…

So many crosses…oh, ever so many!  On battlefields, everywhere…those who gave all they had to give.  For love of country.  Brave people of all races who fought for their causes.  They left homes, families…oh so many loved ones.  Those who waited for just a few words from loved ones who were fighting to defend freedoms.

Wives waiting for husbands, husbands waiting for wives, children waiting for fathers and mothers, parents waiting for sons and daughters.  Good friends waiting for good friends.  Everyone seems to be waiting for someone.  That’s war…a waiting time for everyone.

This post is about one small segment of the world that experienced the waiting game first hand. 

My experience with the 'waiting game' began as a young woman's courtship with a handsome 'tanker' Sgt. Michael Beall who served in Japan before re-locating to the frontlines of Korea for a war.  Little did I know military life was in my future. 

M initially began his military career as more of a lark; to escape a college curfew in order to date and stay out late.  That was prior to meeting me who would change his life.  Little did he know what it would eventually lead to. 

He had close ties with those he served with it Korea.  Those men eventually banded together and then  the wives began to be included; they all became one most happy, close family.  We met annually in different states so as to include everyone and get acquainted with new places and faces.  Now, sadly, most of them are gone...they are sorely missed by those of us left behind.

M and I spent the latter part of his military career waiting…waiting for something…always waiting.  The boys and I were waiting in the wings; Michael was wherever the action was and the action was always where he was.  Always, always!  

Michael re-entered active duty in 1961 and reported to his first assignment in November of that year.  Our love story began a new chapter; one that proved to be exceptional.

M said I always made our assignments exciting for our little family…I did love to rev them up about where we would be living…it was educational, exciting and expanded life experiences. 

We began just outside of Williamsburg, Virginia and the six of us took it to heart.   Colonial Williamsburg was living history in full dress!  We watched the Story of a Patriot at the Visitors  Center many times over.  Jack Lord (McGarrett of Hawaii 50 was the star of the historical film).  It was impressive and made our hearts stand in patriotic honor. 

Michael’s assignment was full of secrecy…he was given command of a company of stevedores who were stationed who knew where (it was a national secret(; left his wife and four small sons with nothing but an empty apartment w/five cots and bedding. 

Two years there, then he had orders for Piraeus, Greece and a Transportation Terminal Unit…M was a water specialist.  Our entire family left American history for world history.  Our boys continued their education in how to mix and mingle with other races…such a wonderful life lesson.

 

Viet-Nam interrupted that beautiful time in our lives and took M away for the worst year of his life.  The boys and I waiting, prayed and kept vigil for him to come home safely; God answered our prayers, bringing our wonderful man home unharmed.  

In the following years, M took us from Virginia to Oklahoma – left us w/o him in Lawton while he served a year in Ethiopia rather than Nam again.  Happily he next moved us to Oklahoma where our favorite football team lived.   He taught young people in the ROTC...wonderful. 

The remainder of his career flew by from Netherlands to Germany then wound down at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas where he retired as a Colonel...he held every grade from Private up the ladder. proudly. 

While I had moved every school year of my life, our sons were moved seven times and it was a tad difficult for them, just as it had been for me in school.  Military families have so many adjustments to make but, all in all, it can be worth it.  All depends on the person.

I think of the series “Band of Brothers”…I cannot watch it without crying…it is such a moving thing.  Same as “We Were Soldiers”…heartbreaking.  War does that…breaks hearts. 

There’s a small flag, known as the ‘service flag’.     

                                                                                                                                     It was patented during WW I and was authorized to be displayed in a window of a mother/father’s home signifying they had one who was serving in the armed forces during war time.  A star for each offspring serving.  The most famous was the one for the five Sullivan brothers who all died in WW II aboard the USS  Juneau on November 13, 1942. Imagine, losing all five sons? 

So many sons and daughters have been lost in wars…so many wars.

It would absolutely terrify me to think of fighting in a war; I am a weakling.

I am thankful my children and grandchildren have not been called to military service.

It was enough to know what my sweet Michael went through; thank God he was not physically or mentally harmed.

Others were not so fortunate…they lost their loved ones.

When I think of freedom; of all the freedoms we so enjoy and possibly take for granted…oh my!

I think of and remember those who died protecting these freedoms…they gave their all.  Survivors, in many cases, have returned home damaged physically as well as mentally.  Many are homeless and lost.

Did you know that Abilene is the first city in Texas that has housed all of it's homeless veterans?  How's that for caregiving?  

Can we ever thank our veterans enough?  Can we ever honor them enough?

Our small family has personally experienced what military service is about, what it's like to live it.  We're a family who loves this country of ours and wants it to remain free – we want God as its guide.  

We have so much, so much to be thankful for…so many to thank for all they gave to keep us from harm’s way.

To all our veterans , servicemen and women. Salute!

And please God, we ask You to bless America.

From my heart...to yours, Vasca