11 November 2009

Tomorrow will be the most important day of my life.  And it’s actually it’s related to Veterans Day….

The photo above was taken on June 7th, 1944.  On that day, my grandfather landed on Omaha beach  (hell, he could be in this photo), and was only one of his original platoon to live long enough to scamper up the bluff and then WALK to Munich.  Wounded.  This, after having already fought in Italy and chased Rommel around the desert.  His first order of business, being an officer, when he arrived in Munich? As a good German himself: opening up a closed brewery for the thirsty and deserving men.  Ah.  Men were men back then, lassies, men were men….

This handsome soldier later married a spirited Cuban lass (back when women were broads), and their first child was my father.   The son that arrives tomorrow is but the latest in that legacy of a soldier, who by grit, luck and the Grace of the Almighty, made it to Munich, with shrapnel in ‘is bum.  Which is why his middle name will be our sons first.

Veterans Day honors all those brave, brave men and women who have, and do serve our fair Nation, hobbled though she is.

And I could not be prouder that my son will be born on this day which will always remind me of the man who is responsible for my and his life.

Just another soldier that did his duty.

No whining. No complaining.

And with shrapnel in ‘is bum.

Happy Veterans Day.

Happy Birthday, baby.

Happy, happy day.

www.USO.org