Random STufF from DonnaB

As our nation honors those who have served and died in the armed forces, it is a holiday that is close to our hearts. Both of our Dads proudly served in the U. S. Army, one during World War II and the other in Korea. They are now deceased and buried in the same cemetery. Our local VFW puts flags on all the veteran graves in this area’s cemeteries. This photo was taken late yesterday afternoon.

My father-in-law was drafted into the Army in January of 1942. He received his military training in Ft. Raleigh, Kansas and was in the horse cavalry. After the horse cavalry was disbanded, he volunteered to go to cooking school and was sent to San Antonio, Texas. From there he was sent to Camp Maxey where he met his future wife. He was deployed overseas to France and landed on the beach at Normandy. His unit eventually made their way to Germany where he endured many hardships. He was still there when the war ended and had risen to the rank of Mess Sergeant. After returning to the States, he and my mother-in-law bought the farm (that is still in the family) and had two sons.

My Dad enlisted on June 16, 1953, received basic training at Ft. Bliss, in El Paso, Texas and was sent overseas for a one year tour of duty in Korea. Daddy was fortunate as the fighting had ended by the time he was deployed to Korea on a peace keeping mission. He returned to Ft. Hood, in Killeen, Texas in 1955. While on leave in November of ‘55, his best friend introduced him to my Mom. He was discharged on June 15, 1956 as SP3, Small Arms Ordinance and was in the reserves until May 3, 1961. While serving our country, Daddy was awarded several medals including the National Defense Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal, the U.N. Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. My parents married in 1956 and had three children with me being the oldest.

May 22, 1976, I married a wonderful man, a man of his word, an honest, hard-working individual who has been by my side now for thirty-one years today. We’ve had many triumphs and a few bumps in the road and yet, we’ve endured and somehow came out better for them. With maturity comes the ability to appreciate what you’ve given me all these years…. love, security, devotion and friendship. I love you more today than ever. Happy Anniversary, husband, here’s hoping we can celebrate 31 more!

One hundred years ago today, my loving grandmother was born a twin. Unfortunately, her twin brother only survived a few months. Being one of the eldest of twelve children, she lived to marry, have children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren before she passed away at a little more than seventy-one years of age. Left to mourn her loss along with her immediate family were brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and a host of friends.

I’m sure each and everyone could claim a special bond with her for her heart was huge and her family was the most important thing in her life. I practically lived with her from the time I was born until I was a young teen. In hindsight, I would have continued to stay until her dying day had I only known she would have been gone from my life when I was only 21 years old.

Happy Birthday, Mamaw, as you turn 100!

A sweeter, kinder, gentler soul I’ve not known. Perhaps I’m biased although I’m convinced each person she encountered in her lifetime would describe her in the same manner.

At a young age and certainly not knowing any better, I asked if she thought God had punished her with her only son being born handicapped. Her response was, “Goodness no! I thought God had blessed me cause He thought I was special enough to take care of His special child!” Bubba was born with Spina Bifida. Although the doctors at the time thought he wouldn’t live more than five years, through Mamaw’s tender loving care, he lived to be 61. I had always known she was exceptional, but in that moment, I knew she was a remarkable person and parent and God had truly blessed her with patience, perseverance and an abundance of love to share with one and all.

Mamaw was a woman who enjoyed writing her thoughts down through poetry or prayer. Fortunately, each of us has copies of her words even though she had thought to destroy them at one time. Thankfully, she allowed my aunt to take them and then my cousin painstakingly typed each one and made copies to share. I can enjoy her beautiful spirit by reading those words at any time.

Even though she has been gone for almost twenty-nine years, I can still see her face and hear her voice. Sometimes she visits me in my dreams. I relish those times and know even though she’s no longer in this physical world, she’s still a precious part of my life. I know she’s proud of her family and can’t wait to be with us again. We were blessed for having been loved by her and we all miss her to this day.

‘Twas The Night Before Christmas,
He Lived All Alone,
In A One Bedroom House
Made Of Plaster And Stone.

I Had Come Down The Chimney
With Presents To Give,
And To See Just Who
In This Home Did Live.

I Looked All About,
A Strange Sight I Did See,
No Tinsel, No Presents,
Not Even A Tree.

No Stocking By Mantle,
Just Boots Filled With Sand,
On The Wall Hung Pictures
Of Far Distant Lands.

With Medals And Badges,
Awards Of All Kinds,
A Sober Thought
Came Through My Mind.

For This House Was Different,
It Was Dark And Dreary,
I Found The Home Of A Soldier,
Once I Could See Clearly.

The Soldier Lay Sleeping,
Silent, Alone,
Curled Up On The Floor
In This One Bedroom Home.

The Face Was So Gentle,
The Room In Such Disorder,
Not How I Pictured
A United States Soldier.

Was This The Hero
Of Whom I’d Just Read?
Curled Up On A Poncho,
The Floor For A Bed?

I Realized The Families
That I Saw This Night,
Owed Their Lives To These Soldiers
Who Were Willing To Fight.

Soon Round The World,
The Children Would Play,
And Grownups Would Celebrate
A Bright Christmas Day.

They All Enjoyed Freedom
Each Month Of The Year,
Because Of The Soldiers,
Like The One Lying Here.

I Couldn’t Help Wonder
How Many Lay Alone,
On A Cold Christmas Eve
In A Land Far From Home.

The Very Thought
Brought A Tear To My Eye,
I Dropped To My Knees
And Started To Cry.

The Soldier Awakened
And I Heard A Rough Voice,
“Santa Don’t Cry,
This Life Is My Choice;

I Fight For Freedom,
I Don’t Ask For More,
My Life Is My God,
My Country, My Corps.”

The Soldier Rolled Over
And Drifted To Sleep,
I Couldn’t Control It,
I Continued To Weep.

I Kept Watch For Hours,
So Silent And Still
And We Both Shivered
From The Cold Night’s Chill.

I Didn’t Want To Leave
On That Cold, Dark, Night,
This Guardian Of Honor
So Willing To Fight.

Then The Soldier Rolled Over,
With A Voice Soft And Pure,
Whispered, “Carry On Santa,
It’s Christmas Day, All Is Secure.”

One Look At My Watch,
And I Knew He Was Right.
“Merry Christmas My Friend,
And To All A Good Night.”

Written by Lance Corporal James M. Schmidt

   Lukasz T. Milewski

His First Job in America

On July 11, Lukasz Milewski landed in the United States for the first time. His parents, who immigrated from Poland to New York City just a year ago (2000), had left him and his sister, Kamila Milewska, behind to finish college.

Mr. Milewski, 21, found a summer job serving food at the Cantor Fitzgerald canteen. “He was the only Polish guy, and soon everybody knew him,” said Ms. Milewska, who had come to the United States with her brother. “He was the best brother in the world. Last year, we only had each other. When I broke up with my boyfriend of six years, only he could find a way to help me. He told me that life was too short to worry.”

Proud to be working in the World Trade Center, Mr. Lukasz sent many photos of himself in front of the towers to his girlfriend in Poland. He told his sister that he would keep going to school and find a permanent job in the trade center.

The family is returning to Poland this month to plan for his funeral. “We will put in the coffin his favorite CDs and T-shirts, letters from me, his girlfriend and our parents, photos and teddy bears,” Ms. Milewska said. “In a way, I don’t want them to find his body. I want to remember him handsome and smiling. ~ Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 3, 2001.~

Lukasz perished in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, after a senseless, cruel act in which thousands lost their lives from coordinated acts of terrorism in New York, Washington, D. C. and in Pennsylvania.

His sister, Kamila, and family left this memorial to him at ground zero.

Tributes can be read here as well as his Legacy guestbook.

Kamila wrote these words on March 22nd of this year (2006).

“When I think about you
I think about how much I
Miss you when you’re not around
When I think about you
I think about how much I
Can’t wait to hear the sound
Of your laughter
Time and distance never matter
I know I will see you again…
I know you are SOMEWHERE…
I know you are watching over me…
I love you!!! I love you so much!!!
Always in my heart!”

The comments, tributes, Kamila’s words and her site dedicated to him have touched my heart.  I did not know Mr. Milewski or his family members, but I am certain after reading these memorials that Lukasz was a vital, important part of their lives and they miss him and will always miss him.

I shed many tears just a short five years ago for the victims and their families.  I shed tears today just reading about Lukasz.  I’ve come to know him through researching his all too brief, but memorable life.  Having brothers of my own, I understand Kamila’s love for him and I share her grief.

His memorial quilt block can be viewed on this page at the United in Memory site.  Let us never forget all the victims of September 11, 2001, nor let us forget Lukasz T. Milewski.

2,996 is a tribute to the victims of 9/11.

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

Unselfishly, you left your fathers and your mothers,
You left behind your sisters and your brothers.
Leaving your beloved children and wives,
You put on hold, your dreams your lives.

On foreign soil, you found yourself planted
To fight for those whose freedom you granted.
Without your sacrifice, their cause would be lost
But you carried onward, no matter the cost.

Many horrors you had endured and seen.
Many faces had haunted your dreams.
You cheered as your enemies littered the ground;
You cried as your brothers fell all around.

When it was over, you all came back home,
Some were left with memories to face all alone;
Some found themselves in the company of friends
As their crosses cast shadows across the land.

Those who survived were forever scarred
Emotionally, physically, permanently marred.
Those who did not now sleep eternally
Neath the ground they had given their lives to keep free.

With a hand upon my heart, I feel
The pride and respect; my reverence is revealed
In the tears that now stream down my upturned face
As our flag waves above you, in her glory and grace.
Freedom was the gift that you unselfishly gave
Pain and death was the price that you ultimately paid.
Every day, I give my utmost admiration
To those who had fought to defend our nation.

Author Unknown