Monday, May 26, 2008

Memorium

As our American Memorial Day weekend comes to a close, I remember all the members of my extended family who fought in wars, both overseas and within our own country.


My Dad emmigrated from Ireland in 1908 when he was 17 years old. His sister had already immigrated to the U. S. earlier and she became his sponsor. She lived in Springfield, MA and therefore, he settled in Springfield. In those days, the government offered citizenship to anyone who joined the Army and fought in a war. He joined the Army just before World War I started and served in France. He survived without physical injury, came home and was sworn in as a citizen in 1918. He did suffer from Post Traumatic Syndrome, a mild case, which made him retreat to his home suffering with anxiety. It was rare during my childhood to be taken anywhere except to visit relatives in Springfield or his cousins in Hartford. This picture was taken around 1919.
Long before the World War I, my mother's great grandfather served in the Civil War, was wounded and got a pension from the government. His family had been here since the early 1700's and he felt it his duty to fight for his country. He died in his 40's and his wife remarried and had twelve children by her second husband. I remember going to visit the descendents of this second family, my distant cousins in Waterbury, CT where my great great grandmother eventually settled. My mother was descended from his first family.


My brother served in the Army during the Korean conflict but was stationed near home at a Nike installaton because my father had had a heart attack and my brother got a dispensation to stay near. My brother's picture shown here was taken in 1983.


My late husband also served in the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1954 but chose to join the Marines. He came home unharmed long before we eventually met in 1957. His family was Czech and had years before become citizens when his grandmother and grandfather immigrated to the U. S. Here we are on our wedding day on October 26, 1957.
In consideration of these loyal citizens,my family, I would like to ask a question of our government. What is wrong with giving the illegal aliens a chance to become legitimate citizens by requiring them to serve in our armed forces for a period of time? I believe this was done in World War II as well, before the draft was put into place. Doesn't Israel required that both men and women serve in the armed forces? What a great opportunity to increase our armed forces as well as give the people who want to come to the U. S. and take advantage of our way of life, to give back to the country that has given them so much. Our country deserves their loyalty and in exchange they get to have the honor of becoming citizens who revere our American flag.

My family is gone now but I will never forget their part in making our county free.