November 11, 2022 - A Day to Reflect on Those Who Served Their Country

November 11, 2022 - A Day to Reflect on Those Who Served in War and those in our own families who have served to allow us the freedoms we now enjoy! We are grateful for those who have served and continue to serve.

While searching on CWGC, I discovered one of my ancestors by the name of John Trotter Clelland was a private in the East Yorkshire Regiment and died at the age of 40 on the 9th of April 1917, leaving behind his wife Alice Leeson and their little girl Kathleen Clelland. He has been remembered with honor at the Arras Memorial. 

If you search the Commonwealth War Graves Commission records and find one of your ancestors, please tell us about them in the comment section of this post. The world owes much to those in the armed services and their families worldwide for their service and sacrifice; they need to be remembered. The philosopher George Santayana (The Life of Reason, 1905)  stated: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Thank you!

Findmypast Record Collection

Findmypast Entire Record Collection is open for free from November 10th - November 14th for researching one's heritage. This is a beautiful opportunity for researching your family and to see what they have to offer and determine if you want to have a subscription. Also, you this opportunity may help you with a brickwall. Check it out at Findmypast

Remember it only lasts from November 10th through November 14th.

Honoring the Navajo Code Talker

I saw this video of Peter MacDonald, a Navajo Code Talker in World War II. The following video is an interview of him reminiscing about his time in the service, which begins around the 9-minute mark. We are indebted to them for their service in helping with World War II. Thank you.

If you have grandparents or parents who have served in the military, you may want to ask them about their life and experiences and possibly record it for yourself and your posterity.

 

Gratitude for Those who Serve

This time of year brings to rememberance all of those brave selfless men and women who served in miliatry throughout time.  My grandfather (pictured on the left in his military uniform) fought in World War I, and his task was to drive a mule team up to the front lines with supplies.  He left behind his newly married wife, who was expecting their first child and subsequently lost their first born son; with these events occuring during his service abroad.  The only way they could communicate was through letters, which took time to receive.  I can't begin to imagine the sadness both my grandparents endured with the separation shortly after they were married and loosing their first born son.  Although I am sure many people were there to assist my grandmother, she didn't have the support and presence of her loving husband during that challenging time.  He wasn't discharged from the military until 8 months after the loss of his son.

My grandfather's service and story is not unique. Many men and women sacrifice time with their family to provide protection and service to those at home.  They are a special group of people who deserve our gratitude and respect.  I for on am grateful for all those who serve in the military, so that I can enjoy the lifestyle that so many of us take for granted.  We are blessed with the freedom of speech, we can criticize our leaders without concerns for retribution, we can be involved or not involved in the democratic process, we have freedom.  Our freedom has come at a great sacrifice from many sons, daughters, mothers and fathers.  I am grateful for all of those that have served in the past and for those that are presently serving.  Thank you for blessing my life.  

Fallen Heroes of Normandy - Military Cemetery & Memorial

In honor of those who have served in the military, I wanted to share a website about Normandy. This site allows one to search through the records for free, for those who served and fell at Normandy.  There website can be found here. The website provide information including some pictures regarding those who served and fell at Normandy from the following armed forces: American, Austrailian, Belgian, British, Canadian, Czechoslovakian, Dutch, French, German, Indian,  New Zealand, Polish, Russian, and South African.