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.)

a 4th of July celebration

We celebrated with the usual--family, food, fireworks. Like true Texas rednecks, we celebrated by watching the fireworks from the backs of our pick-up trucks. (With 2 little babies, we didn't want the hassle of taking a shuttle bus to the park, so we joined many others in the HEB parking lot.)

My thoughts were on my mother, who was born in Vienna, Austria on July 4, 1918. From the time she was a little girl, she knew that someday she would live in America. In an official affidavit sent to the American Consulate, my father stated: "After serving 15 months in the service of the United States Army in Europe, I was honorably discharged as Staff-sergeant in the 869th Field Artillery Battalion. While in Europe, I became acquainted with Leopoldine Ibba (in Salzburg, Austria)...I became engaged to marry her; that she is now employed as a Secretary by the Headquarters Company of the 5th Infantry Real Estate Office; that she is 28 years old and both her parents are deceased....It is my intention to marry the said Leopoldine Ibba immediately after her arrival in the United Sates and that I will be responsible for her care and support thereafter in the United States; that my mother approves of said marriage (his father was deceased)."

After enduring many hardships during the war, a lifelong dream was fulfilled. She sailed on the ocean liner "America",entered New York Harbor, and was welcomed by the Statue of Liberty. The following week, my parents were married in Providence, R.I. and I made by entrance into the world exactly 9 months later.

Memorial Day Tribute

"In grateful memory of Private Carl G. Salmon, who died in the service of his country in the European Area, August 17, 1944. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives --in a way that humbles the understaking of most men." Franklin Roosevelt, President of the United States.
Carl was a paratro0per who died at age 20. On the 15th of August, 1944, he was in Comany "C" and took part in the invasion of Southern France, coming in by parachute before dawn. The day of the 15th was spent in moving into position and preparing for the German counterattack. The attack came at noontime on the 16th and began with enemy artillery "giving our lines a terrible pounding". Carl's platoon was holding a central part of that line, and was subject to heavy fire. A large shell made a direct hit and Pvt. Salmon died instantly and without pain. He was buried with full Military Honors and now lies in an American Military Cemetery in France.
For courageous action taken without orders, in Italy, which saved the lives of all men in his platoon, he recieved the Bronze Star. He was also awarded a Silver Star and was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. A fellow paratrooper who was lying right next to Carl when he was mortally wounded, says "he was about as nice a kid as I've ever known and all the guys took it pretty hard that knew him".
Carl Salmon is my husband's uncle, whom he was named after. We have also named our youngest son after him. On Memorial day , we pay tribute to him and express love and appreciation for him and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom.