Candles are often lit in remembrance, in prayer, or when the power goes out for 5 days because of an ice storm. Prompt from Amy Johnson Crow for Week 13 of 52 Ancestors.
This post is in remembrance for those who served and in prayer for a brighter future.
There are so many veterans in my family. I think they have been a part of every war in the U.S., both World Wars, the Vietnam War, the Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and maybe some I haven’t found yet. I don’t know how I could possibly honor all of them in one single post. I know I am definitely privileged in that I haven’t ever lived in a place where a war was taking place. I can’t even imagine how difficult it would be. My heart goes out to those in Ukraine at this time.
Two of my grandpa Kirkwoods’ brothers, Alexander Kirkwood and Robert Kirkwood fought in WWI. One was gassed in the war and was disabled as a result and died at the age of 36. The other survived WWI but his house was blown up in WWII, killing him and his entire family, Julia (McGuire) Kirkwood and Donald Kirkwood. My grandpa Cooks’ brother, Frank Cook, also fought in WWI. He came back with tuberculosis and died at a young age.
My husbands dad, Harvey Hartje, and my dad, Richard Paul Cook, both were involved in WWII. Lucky for us they both returned. My husbands stepfather enlisted in 1947, we haven’t been able to find much about his service but he was in Egypt for a time. My brother and sister and brother in law are veterans of Vietnam. Another brother in law was in Iraq. A nephew was in Iraq and Afghanistan I believe.
If we go back in U.S. history I had ancestors in the Revolutionary War, The Mexican American War and the Civil War. This is just immediate family for all of these. I’ve never tried to count all of them in my tree, might have to look at making a list. I know I have many cousins who are included in these remembrances.
I am so grateful for the freedom I have today. I hope we can continue as a country to keep our freedom. The politics are turbulent and some want to take us backwards. We need to remember what brought about the wars of the past so we don’t repeat those mistakes now. My wish is an end to all war, is that a pipe dream or can we achieve it. Do your part to make the world a better place for everyone.
My Tree in the Forest 