Family Thoughts on Veteran's Day

I've been working on an old photograph of my Dad taken in July, 1958, less than two months before he passed away at the age of 52. I found the picture a couple months back and have it now in my office.

My Dad & Veteran's Day

Today being Veteran's Day, I got to thinking about my Dad and his time in the U.S. Army from 1942-1945 during WWII. He was about 36 (thirty-six!) when he joined and went off to basic training in Arkansas in early '42. Being a lawyer, his talents were put to use as an investigator for the Manhattan Project and he was based in New York City. From what little I know about his service years, he would go out to ships anchored near NYC and interview scientists coming to the U.S.—I need to try to find out more about that.

Growing up in a small town back east (Akron, NY) in the 1950's, I knew many of my Dad's friends who served in WWII and they all seemed to have a great strength about them.

My Uncle Dutch and Veteran's Day

Then, there was my Mom's brother, Ken (aka "Dutch"), who was killed in March of 1945 in Germany.  I was born after he died, so I did not know him—but I heard many stories and from what I heard, he was a pretty good guy. I have pictures, some of his letters, and the telegram sent by the War Department notifying my Grandparents of his death.  I wish I had known him.

The picture on the right is of my Dad and my Uncle Dutch taken in November, 1942.

My Brother Bob and Veteran's Day

My half-brother, Bob, was career Army and retired as a Colonel. He was stationed in many parts of the world and a really smart math guy. I heard a story once that he taught some of the astronauts. He was stationed in many parts of the world and although I didn't get to know or see him very much, I was always proud of him for his service.

The last time I saw Bob, he was suffering from bone cancer (died in 1995) and he was showing me his "Curta." I had never heard of a Curta, which is a pocket mechanical calculator. Ahhhhh, but that's another story...

The picture on the left was taken in June, 1964, during one of Bob's "home on leave" times. I always looked forward to his leaves with great anticipation!

Me and Veteran's Day

My own three years, eleven months and 22 days in the USAF in the early 1970's was relatively uneventful (compared to my Dad, uncle & brother).

 I was a Telecommunications System Controller stationed at the USAF Satellite Test Center in Sunnyvale, CA, for almost my entire stint in the service. I was lucky—it was the Viet Nam war and I didn't have to go there. The service, for me, was a turning point in my life in many ways and it lead to electronics and my job/career with Hewlett-Packard.

That picture of a MUCH-younger me was taken in 1970 and sitting next to me is another great veteran and uncle, Bob Thompson.

Talk to a Veteran

This is mainly a salute to the Veterans in my family who served during the last century—this is my way of honoring them, and, by inference, all who serve or have served.

Even though you may not read this on Veteran's Day, please say hello to and if you are of a mind to, thank a Veteran or an active military person the next time you meet one.