Remembering the Veterans in my Family
Veterans Day is sometimes regarded as one of those holidays that “isn’t really a holiday” because most people still have to go to work. When I was in public school, it was not an observed day off. Even for those who do get the day off, how many stop and take a minute to remember what the day is all about? I’d like to do that today, in remembrance of all those who have served and those who are serving now. In particular, I’d like to take a moment to remember both of my grandfathers who have now passed away. I’d also like to honor my Dad, who is not only a Veteran, but is also celebrating his birthday today.
Paul Lake, circa 1944
Army, World War II Veteran
On an otherwise ordinary day in February 1945, my great-grandmother received a Western Union telegram from the War Department to notify her that her son, my grandpa, had been wounded in action and was in a hospital in Belgium. I can’t imagine the fear in a mother’s heart upon getting a telegram like that. He was so young and so far from home, but he bravely served his country in Europe. He was an infantryman at the Battle of the Bulge. I don’t know the horrors he saw and experienced because he never talked about it. I knew my grandpa as a good Christian man — generous, funny, full of life. Thankfully, he was able to return home from the war and marry my grandma. They had 6 children and were married for over 60 years. My grandpa passed away in 2011, following my grandma just 5 months after her death. There was an Honor Guard at his funeral. They played Taps, folded the flag from his casket, and presented it to the family.
My grandpa received the following medals:
Bronze Star
Purple Heart
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal & Bronze Star Attachment
(Double) World War II Victory Medal
Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award
Honorable Service Lapel Button
WWII Sharpshooter Badge & Rifle Bar
Leo Wiley
Navy, World War II Veteran
My grandpa was a young man in the Navy, stationed in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. He was there when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He saw the planes coming in and before he even realized what was happening, they were under attack. I can’t imagine the chaos and surprise. In a newspaper clipping shortly after, it was said: “Though not yet old enough to vote, he has already had real war experience. He was there at Pearl Harbor, then later paid the Japanese a return visit in the Marshall Islands and then on to Australia on convoy duty. He has since been transferred to a battleship in the Atlantic as a machinist mate.” He had a career with the Navy even after World War II ended.
Les Wiley
Army Veteran, 1966-1969
My dad enlisted in the Army at the time of the Viet Nam War. He was trained in radar and electronics through Signal School during his service. He earned a Marksman Medal and a National Defense ribbon, among other ribbons and insignia. Happy birthday, Dad!
My thanks to all of our veterans today. God bless you!
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