Monday, May 30, 2016

In remembrance on Memorial Day

This Memorial Day, we remember my maternal grandfather, John Niespodzany, who served as a cook in the Army in WWII.

My uncle Mike (his son) gave me his military records last year. 




It was good to know how he served our country. He had Alzheimers and his later years he told me he flew planes in the war. (According to a co-worker who knows a lot about WWII, it's possible he could have loaded planes with supplies.) 

Here he is with my grandma.

My last conversation with Grandpa before he died was about the war. While I knew his story wasn't true (he wasn't at the bombing of Pearl Harbor), it was real to him, and I listened quietly. Even though he couldn't remember what his service was, it was clear he was still proud of serving his country.

Rest in peace, Grandpa. And thank you for your service and honor.

5 comments:

Summer at sparklecat.com said...

What a lovely rememberance of your grandfather. We are grateful for his service.

The Island Cats said...

How nice to have these memories of your grandfather.

pilch92 said...

Beautiful post, very nice photos.

Laila and Angel Minchie said...

What a great remembrance and to have all those documents!

You had asked what Mom's Mom and Dad in WWII. Well, her mom was a WAVE in the Navy and taught radio in St. Petersburg, FL. Her dad was a pilot and was the regularly assigned co-pilot of the Enola Gay that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima. Col. Tibbets bumped him off that particular flight so he could fly it.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSmcid=46609602&GRid=8525735&

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8525747

Connie - Tails from the Foster Kittens said...

it is so nice you have those memories..

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