The Buckets by Greg Cravens for May 26, 2014

Rather, thank Grandpa – Bill was ‘around here’ – apparently, Grandpa was ‘over there’…

@ Nachikethass

Follow the dots … ….. Franks was still talking about what Bill said. (who “grew up”) became aware of life, while serving in Saipan.

A lot of ’em did

I’ve never understood this beleif that you somehow “Grow up” by killing. Kurt Vonnegut wrote that when he returned from WWII, one of his uncles said, “Well, I guess you’re a real man now.” Kurt says “That was closest I ever came to killing a German.”On the other hand, thank you, friend Bill; yours was one of the the 3 US wars & deployments (of 250+) that was justified ( the others being, of course, War of 1812 & ther War of Southern Treason)

I see.

My father told me BIll’s comment many times over many years. Bill never mentioned killing anyone. I always assumed he meant that he saw too much to retain any childish ideas about life and society, but I could be wrong. If you want to believe that he mean that he killed someone, you can. I don’t know. He never said, that I know of.

I grew up at nuclear weapons school.

My father was born during WWI. I was born during WWII. It’s a good thing I never had kids or it might have started WWIII.

Thank you. Lovely tribute.

xxx

For a taste of what our fathers endured in WWII, Google “Taffy Three” and the US Army’s 26th Cavalry in the Philippines. Those two actions, US Navy & Army, don’t get the attention they deserve. I know there are many others. Never forget their sacrifices.

This may not apply for Memorial Day, but one of my favorite people to see on my morning walks is Mr. Lee, who was at Pearl Harbor during the bombing. He’s 96 and still walks down to the corner to greet the kids going into school. You’d never guess his age. I’m proud to know him. I guess I should properly mention him again on Veterans Day.

left the US Feb 12, 1969 a kid, returned Sept 28 1970 an old man. “growing up” has nothing to do with killing, it is the loss of childish innocence.

Thank you so much, Greg.

Awesome.