Memorial Day Musings

If it weren't for the war (WW II), these two would have never gotten together. They met in Salzburg, Austria in the months following the war.


My father was a Sargent in General Patton's Army in Europe. He directed artillary fire in France, helped liberate the concentration camps, and was part of the occupation army.  He loved serving his country.

My Mother was forced to work for the Nazi government (as a secretary) when Hitler occupied her country, Austria. She hated working for the Nazi's. 
So many people sacrificied so much for their country. Many gave all -- like my husband's Uncle Carl, for whom he is named.    A very brave paratrooper (Company "C", 517th Parachute Infantry)  Carl  had already recieved the Silver Medal for single handedly taking out a German machine gun nest in Italy, when he was killed in action in southern France, two months after the invasion of Normandy. He had just turned twenty, and never got the chance to marry his sweetheart back home and raise a family of his own.

Uncle Carl and his nephew Carl, photos taken when they were both about the same age. (My hubby Carl's photo is not a police mug shot, but his Texas Tech University I.D. photo.)