Wordless Wednesday - Speechless over Veterans of WW II

I'm so new to blogging that I almost decided to take the "Wordless Wednesday" Geneabloggers prompt quite literally!  However, this being Veterans Day, it was important for me to call attention to the numerous veterans who served our country with dignity, sacrifice and honor.  Each of us, I'd be willing to bet, has at least one ancestor or descendant who has served our country.  While we may know who served - we may not know the what, why, where or when that provided the back story to their area of service.  Knowing these snapshots in history gives a true appreciation for their lives and times.  As I began to do early research on my family tree, I was amazed to find so many veterans who served our great country.  My great-great-great grandfather served in the Virginia militia during the War of 1812.  His son participated in the Mexican-Amerian War.  Two maternal ancestors served in the Civil War - one on either side. My father fought for the Navy in WW II as a tail gunner. Yes, the Navy has an aviation unit.  And finally, an uncle also served during WW II, in the Asiatic-Pacific campaign.

In my introductory paragraph I shared my family's thoughts on how I should be the keeper of the flame.  They held true to their promise!  Last week I was presented with 10 bankers' boxes full of unsorted family photos, vital records, artifacts, and historical documents that should have been analyzed, preserved, and archived years ago.  

It certainly can be no coincidence that out of the 10 bankers' boxes, the first one I opened contained my uncle's entire service record, three photo albums documenting his service in the Pacific Islands, and -- most exciting for me -- a box containing all of his military bars and medals of service.  What a privilege it was to see these artifacts first-hand.  Again, when one "sees" the story behind the story, one gains new perspective - new appreciation for our ancestors, as well as all those who gave their lives for our freedom.