Welcome Fellow History Buff's!
Introduction
My first inkling of anything military, came about in the early fifties, when I was five years old. Mother was removing layers of childhood memories, from an old mothballed trunk, when she came across a dusty wooden picture frame. She sat down on the floor and pulled me into her arms. She wiped off years of dust with the corner of her apron, then turned the picture towards me.
Honey, This a picture of your grandfather...He was in World War One and served in France.
A year later, I discovered a hidden closet in my grandmother Hindman's Craftsman style home in Santa Monica, CA. Rummaging inside, I discovered an old worn jacket hanging on a metal hanger.
It was an old leather bomber type jacket with silk lining and an image of an airplane on the back. I later discovered that my dad had been a Navigator Instructor during WWII. Mother eventually pinned dad's Navigator wings to the old jacket, which I half dragged and half wore like Linus in the old Snoopy cartoon.
My Uncle Wally, who was in the Navy always peaked my curiosty. During a visit to his house one summer, he told me something that planted a seed, which grew into an obsession.
The ship was sunk by a Japanese submarine...most of the crew were killed...rest of them ended up swimming with sharks...many days passed...yelling & screaming was horrible...many men were eaten by sharks...It would be nearly 30 years later, before I learned the rest of the story.
These are just a handful of the memories that I have had as a child and researched as an adult. Over time, I have learned a great deal more about many of our relatives. Just this last year, I learned we had family in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
What you will find here
Each category starts off with an introduction and brief history of a family member who has served in the military since the 1700's. Since early history lacks many details, I have taken both actual facts and historical details and written their stories. As we get into the World Wars, I have letters, postcards and other information, which makes each story come to life.
So come on in, grab a Cup of Joe, or your favorite beverage, and lets talk about history! ;)