Never Forget. . .
Today is Veteran's Day and for those of you who don't know what it means, here is a word for word email from my friend Brian (Brain from Ubon's) about Veteran's Day:
I do not have a forum for this like you do. I have never told you this, but my family has a longstanding tradition of military service. If you don’t mind, I would like you to honor them on this most special of days.
My Uncle Bill Webb – US Army – served in Desert Storm I.
My Brother Mark Campbell – US Army – served in Desert Storm I.
My Cousin Dallas Allbritton – US Army – he has not been to a “real” war, but he is just a couple of years short of having his 20 years in with the National Guard.
My Cousin Scott Smira – US Air Force – he just got back from Kosovo, but he spent 1 ½ years in various countries.
My Cousin Kevin Smira – US Army – Somolia.
Our Friend Scott Welch – US Air Force – who is serving in the present Iraqi war
And finally, my Great Uncle Captain Harry White – US Army – World War II.
Let me tell you a story about Captain Harry White. He was my grandmother’s only brother, and he is the reason that I have the place to live on that I do. My great grandfather Percy White bought the land that we now know as the River Place because he wanted a farm for his son to raise registered shorthorn cattle on. The barn that is still standing on that place was built in 1937 by my great grandfather and Harry. It is made out of oak boards that were transported from the back of the property by oxen.
When World War II broke out, Harry White joined the Army. Harry White had a college education and a job. He was also an only son, so he could have avoided the draft if he wanted to. He didn’t care, he joined the Army to fight for his country. He was sent to the Phillippines. From December 8 – 10, Japanese forces took over airfields in the Phillippines. To make a long story short, on March 22, 1942, Douglas MacArthur was flown to Australia . He then wired the people of the Phillippines that “he shall return”. Sadly, he was wrong. On April 9, 1942, General King surrendered US and Phillippine troops to the Japanese, against MacArthur’s orders.
My Great Uncle, Captain Harry White, was in the middle of all this. He marched in the Bataan Death March. Emaciated, sick, starving. On October 7, 1942, Captain Harry White died for his country in a Japanese prison camp. A POW. We do not know the details. We do have a small journal that was returned to us. You can tell by the writing as the days go by that he was getting weaker and weaker. Captain Harry White is buried at the Manila American Cemetary in the Phillippines. Please remember him and all that are like him. A great American who died for us. Never had a wife, never had a kid, never really ever had a house that he could call his own.
Unselfishly. Went. And died. For us.
POW’s, MIA’s, Veterans……………….
Never forget….
Thanks, it means a lot.
Amen Brian, to all those brave men and women serving now anda the ones that came before them....
My dad, M.R. Anderson, US Navy, WWII. My Uncle Jack, US Army.
And dear ol' Darell, US Army, traveled all over but not engaged in war time but served 13 years.
that was a fine tribute - thanks to all the veterans that have served and the men/women that are serving now - because of them we can all sleep at night.
The real heroes. We have much to be grateful for because of their sacrifices. God Bless all of them.
This mention is greatly appreciated. I can't even tell you how I came upon it... some search engine. I am Kevin Smira's wife and wanted to add that he was also in Iraq in 2004. He has served for 15 years with 10 of those active duty. I am proud as punch as you can imagine. I also wanted to mention that the other Smira brother Daniel was left off. He has served in Korea and has several active duty years under his belt. Many thanks... Amanda Smira.