Thanks for the post about LCpl Chance Phelps.

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Thanks for sharing your personal stories.

@Wisdom:

I wrote a little about my Grandfather’s service history here, but briefly I’d like to tell you all that he was on the first boat to survive the landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy, on D-Day, where 2000 of his fellow soldiers died.

Wisdom,

I’m in absolute awe. Can’t even begin to grasp what that day must have been like. Heroes, all of them.

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My Grandfather passed away last spring, and the local VFW was asked to provide graveside honors. Of course they agreed, but they told us that they didn’t have enough members available to do a full ceremony. In addition to the the two VFW members that met us at graveside, we were pleasantly surprised to find an additional half dozen members of the local national guard who had learned of my Grandfather’s service and chose to attend. The service was awe inspiring, and when they were finished with Taps, the three gun volley, and the flag folding, there wasn’t a dry eye there. It was so memorable and touching, I’m welling up tears just thinking about it.

The two soldiers who folded the flag, though, made a mistake and were unable to close the folds at the end. None of us minded, but they were so embarrassed and apologetic. We didn’t know why. At the time, I didn’t understand the significance of that part of the ceremony, but after reading this post, now I do. Thank you, Wordsmith, for teaching me something new about the last memories of my Grandfather, as the graveside services that the VFW and the National Guardsman provided have even more meaning now.

I wrote a little about my Grandfather’s service history here, but briefly I’d like to tell you all that he was on the first boat to survive the landing on Omaha Beach in Normandy, on D-Day, where 2000 of his fellow soldiers died. He received a field promotion to Sergeant during the invasion, and went on to serve in Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe.

He was decorated with the Bronze Service Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, European, African and Middle Eastern Service Medal and American Defense Service Medal. He was so humble he never even claimed some of his service medals. We found the paperwork for them when we cleaned his house.

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My father’s ceremony took place in a private cemetary nestled in the bluffs in western Wisconsin, Bad Axe Lutheran Cemetary. His honor guard was partially made up of men he grew up with and some fresh faced lads. They did this ceremony, proudly while a Bald Eagle decided to soar above us. It was an experience I will always cherish. I would want the same for all of our warriors families.

Thanks for another excellent post Wordsmith.

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