The final bussie I want to write about is Joe. Joe is a skilled wood shop student, and one day he brought a jewelry box on the bus. He told me he made it for his grandmother. At that time I said that I wished that I could find a flag box. and it was the last I said about my need.
This story began October 1941. My father- in- law was in basic training when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. He was drafted to a infantry division. About the same time the local national guard unit from his home town was activated. His father asked if it were possible to have his son transferred to the guard unit. The powers- that- were put in for his transfer, and it was granted, so off to war they did go. He left a sweetheart behind as many did.
He was part of the 34th signal corps, and they were responsible for stretching wire so communications could be kept with the front lines.
His first stops were Ireland, and England, for training. Then off to Africa to do what he was trained to do. Then after north Africa they went to Italy, where they were part of the Anzio invasion. During his forty month tour of duty, he and his sweetheart would write each other; he said a letter a week. They had decided through correspondence, that they would marry when he returned. He came home on furlough about five weeks before the war was over, got married, and had children, one whom is my wife Pat.
In 2012, Pat was corresponding with a friend who is serving in Afghanistan. She mentioned that she could arrange for flags to be flown on missions to honor people. Pat asked that a flag be flown for her father, so she could give it to him on his 95th birthday. It didn't make it in time for his birthday, but came shortly after.
It was a Friday, and Joe came to get onto the bus, I noticed he has something made of wood in his hand. It was beautifully- colored walnut, and shaped like a flag box. He came onto the bus, and handed it to me. "Here, this is for you." I was so pleased that a high school student took the time to make something for a man he didn't know, and made it as lovingly as if he had known him all of his life.
I couldn't complete this series without recognizing the patriots that made this post possible: Marv, my dad in-law, his supportive sweetheart Mary Lou, my wife Pat, Casandra, our naval officer friend, Maj. Richard Hebb, Capt. William Meister, TSgt. Justin Larson , SSgt. Joshua Martin, (the officers on the mission), and Joe Ries, the one who made the Flag box. "God's richest blessing to you all!"
"Give honor to whom honor is due." Rom. 13:7
This story began October 1941. My father- in- law was in basic training when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. He was drafted to a infantry division. About the same time the local national guard unit from his home town was activated. His father asked if it were possible to have his son transferred to the guard unit. The powers- that- were put in for his transfer, and it was granted, so off to war they did go. He left a sweetheart behind as many did.
He was part of the 34th signal corps, and they were responsible for stretching wire so communications could be kept with the front lines.
His first stops were Ireland, and England, for training. Then off to Africa to do what he was trained to do. Then after north Africa they went to Italy, where they were part of the Anzio invasion. During his forty month tour of duty, he and his sweetheart would write each other; he said a letter a week. They had decided through correspondence, that they would marry when he returned. He came home on furlough about five weeks before the war was over, got married, and had children, one whom is my wife Pat.
In 2012, Pat was corresponding with a friend who is serving in Afghanistan. She mentioned that she could arrange for flags to be flown on missions to honor people. Pat asked that a flag be flown for her father, so she could give it to him on his 95th birthday. It didn't make it in time for his birthday, but came shortly after.
It was a Friday, and Joe came to get onto the bus, I noticed he has something made of wood in his hand. It was beautifully- colored walnut, and shaped like a flag box. He came onto the bus, and handed it to me. "Here, this is for you." I was so pleased that a high school student took the time to make something for a man he didn't know, and made it as lovingly as if he had known him all of his life.
I couldn't complete this series without recognizing the patriots that made this post possible: Marv, my dad in-law, his supportive sweetheart Mary Lou, my wife Pat, Casandra, our naval officer friend, Maj. Richard Hebb, Capt. William Meister, TSgt. Justin Larson , SSgt. Joshua Martin, (the officers on the mission), and Joe Ries, the one who made the Flag box. "God's richest blessing to you all!"
"Give honor to whom honor is due." Rom. 13:7
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