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On Wednesday, just as we finished packing for our trip to visit my parents in New York, we received word that my great-uncle Ray had died after a long fight with cancer. This forced a change in plans for the weekend, to accommodate the funeral. Ray was the last of his generation, which included by paternal grandmother, as well as the great-uncle who wrote the book about his experiences during World War II, and the funeral brought together those members of my father's generation that still live in that area.
My great-uncle Ray was also a World War II veteran, having served in the 168 Chemical SG (smoke generating) Company in Africa and Italy. He survived the war unwounded, and I know very little about his service during the war. However, he became very active in the local chapter of the American Legion and was apparently proud of his service to our country. He was buried with full military honors next to one of his brothers and his parents, and not far from my grandmother and another brother. I wasn't particularly close to Uncle Ray, but the dignity of the military honors, with the flag draped coffin, the volleys of rifle shots and the lone bugle playing taps struck home. I was far from the only one who became teary eyed as the flag was folded and presented to his son.
It was yet another reminder of how many young men went off to far away places to fight in that massive war, and their contributions to our country and the world. It won't be all that many more years before it will be very difficult to find anyone with first hand memories of those battles. I was proud to be able to stand and pay my respects to this relative who had answered the call of duty.
My great-uncle Ray was also a World War II veteran, having served in the 168 Chemical SG (smoke generating) Company in Africa and Italy. He survived the war unwounded, and I know very little about his service during the war. However, he became very active in the local chapter of the American Legion and was apparently proud of his service to our country. He was buried with full military honors next to one of his brothers and his parents, and not far from my grandmother and another brother. I wasn't particularly close to Uncle Ray, but the dignity of the military honors, with the flag draped coffin, the volleys of rifle shots and the lone bugle playing taps struck home. I was far from the only one who became teary eyed as the flag was folded and presented to his son.
It was yet another reminder of how many young men went off to far away places to fight in that massive war, and their contributions to our country and the world. It won't be all that many more years before it will be very difficult to find anyone with first hand memories of those battles. I was proud to be able to stand and pay my respects to this relative who had answered the call of duty.
