In honor of all the men and women who have sacrificed by serving in the military to give the people and county of the United States of America freedom to enjoy. You who have and are defending our country from all enemies, I salute you today. This beautiful emblem is embroidered on the back of the leather flight jacket belonging to Chris Byrd. I met Chris Byrd out at Tahoma National Cemetery a couple years ago while photographing the people and events at the Veteran’s Day Commemoration held annually. He passed by me and I saw the beautiful embroidered image on the back of his jacket, I took a couple shots but wasn’t satisfied with what I caught, so I followed him to the top of a slope over looking the stage being set up. We introduced ourselves and I discovered through our conversation, that he is now retired after over 35 years of military service in the U.S. Army as a helicopter pilot, having seen active duty many times. He is the grandson of Admiral Byrd and his father was a WWII veteran B-12 bomber pilot. What a heritage and legacy.
My father was a WWII veteran, having served in the U.S. Army, at the rank of Tech 4, a tank mechanic, attached to a tank destroyer unit that landed on D-Day +6 and fought through the Battle of the Bulge. He is buried at Tahoma National Cemetery, one among many heros, who saw their service as their duty to God and their country. I would also like to add these relatives who have served honorably in service, Calvin Roehm, USAF – my brother-in-law (Lifetime Veteran, deceased), Dennis O’Mera, U.S. Army – my brother-in-law (Vietnam Veteran, disabled due to Agent Orange) and Elmer Bloom, U.S. Army – my father-in law (WWII Veteran, deceased, a Medic in the European theater) and many more, uncles, cousins.
Please remember today, as will I, as we enjoy the freedom to gather with family, friends and share good food, that at tables in big cities and small there are empty chairs, where missing loved ones would sit, heros, who gave the ultimate price for us all, their very lives.
That’s an awesome commemorative, too! Thanks for stopping by & commenting on my blog! =)