As we sit and reflect on the freedoms that we have left, we know that it wasn’t without great sacrifice that our nation was able to become what it is today.
I am often reminded of the times. Would interact with my Papa. He served in WWII in the Pacific theater. I do not know in what capacity, but from what I have seen and read, that was quite horrific.
I didn’t have a good relationship with him. As a matter of fact, the man scared the bejeezus out of us when we were young. We would go to his house for family gatherings and when we would shake his hand, he would tell us, “you touch anything and I’ll cut your fingers off.” All said while showing us the blade of a pocket knife. It was horrifying then.
I had heard that before going to war, he was a nice young man. A kind and gentle soul. When he returned, he wasn’t the same.
Just before I turned thirteen, we moved out of state to Colorado. After that, I hardly saw him anymore. I could count on one hand how many times. I do know, my parents adopted two Korean children, and Papa took to the boy, the youngest of all the siblings. We were dumbfounded. We didn’t understand it.
After so many years, I think he took to the youngest because perhaps he was able to finally quell some misgivings about people of certain backgrounds. I don’t know. I am only making assumptions here forward.
When he passed away, I was the only child from my immediate family to go to his funeral. My mom had asked me to take some photos, to which I did. One of my aunts recalled him as being a mean SOB. I remember that part of the conversation, because we were watching Gran Torino, and Clint Eastwood’s character reminded her of him in that manner.
I believe now, if I had a chance to visit with him, we could have some interesting discussions. That’s what I would like to believe anyhow. When you stop and think about it, if it weren’t for home, there’s I don’t exist, my family doesn’t exist.
To those who have gone before us, having sacrificed their all, and to those who came back broken and in pieces, thank you.
And to Papa, thank you, I love you. Hope to see you on the other side.
The Loud Conservative 