My Hero
I have always looked up to and respected our men and women in uniform. I was raised on the importance of the military and why we have the freedoms we have today. So many people have fought and died for our country, and I feel so blessed to be a part of such a great nation.
One of those people who fought for us is my Grandpa Shaw. He was a Navy fighter pilot in the Pacific during World War II. He actually flew a plane over Iwo Jima to distract the Japanese while that infamous scene of the men raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi was taking place. You always see and hear about the men on the ground who raised the flag, but you never really hear much about the men in the air who were getting shot at and shot down, all for a diversion.
My grandpa has so many stories to tell. He never really used to talk about the war until recently. As he's gotten on in age, I think he's realized that his legacy can't live on if we never get to hear about all of the wonderful things he and the men who served with him did. Some of the stuff is still painful for him, and you can tell when it hits home because he does get emotional. But, I'm so glad he is now sharing his experiences with his family and those who will listen.
Yesterday, my grandpa embarked on a journey to Washington, D.C., to see the WWII Memorial and the Iwo Jima Memorial, as well as several other national landmarks as part of an Honor Flight. He and a few other veterans from Western Kansas were sponsored by Western Plains High School. Each veteran has a student accompanying him on the journey. What a cool experience for them!
The school created a blog to post about their endeavors. I have been checking it often these past couple of days. Today when I checked it, there were some pictures of my grandpa posted. It was good to see him enjoying himself. Also posted was a picture of him from 1944. Today, 4/7/2011, just happens to be the 67th anniversary of the day my grandpa received his wings (4/7/1944). How awesome is that?
Here he is from that day so long ago. I love this picture of him. Every time we go to my grandparent's house, I go and look at it. It hangs on the wall in one of their spare bedrooms.
It makes me emotional to think about all that my grandpa and his generation have sacrificed. To know that their remaining time on earth is limited is so sad to think about; however, I know that their stories and their legacies will live on forever, and that gives me comfort. They will never be forgotten.
The last two photos I will leave you with are of my grandpa taken today during a tour of one of the memorials. In the first photo, he is the second from the left. The girl standing next to him is his student sponsor, Dakota, and the man in the middle is Kansas congressman Tim Huelskamp. Dakota said she talked to my grandpa the day before they left on the trip, and he told her he would try and behave himself. That is so like him! :o) In the second photo, my grandpa is in the middle.
Love and hugs from Kansas to DC... :o) Have a great trip, Grandpa!
One of those people who fought for us is my Grandpa Shaw. He was a Navy fighter pilot in the Pacific during World War II. He actually flew a plane over Iwo Jima to distract the Japanese while that infamous scene of the men raising the flag on Mt. Suribachi was taking place. You always see and hear about the men on the ground who raised the flag, but you never really hear much about the men in the air who were getting shot at and shot down, all for a diversion.
My grandpa has so many stories to tell. He never really used to talk about the war until recently. As he's gotten on in age, I think he's realized that his legacy can't live on if we never get to hear about all of the wonderful things he and the men who served with him did. Some of the stuff is still painful for him, and you can tell when it hits home because he does get emotional. But, I'm so glad he is now sharing his experiences with his family and those who will listen.
Yesterday, my grandpa embarked on a journey to Washington, D.C., to see the WWII Memorial and the Iwo Jima Memorial, as well as several other national landmarks as part of an Honor Flight. He and a few other veterans from Western Kansas were sponsored by Western Plains High School. Each veteran has a student accompanying him on the journey. What a cool experience for them!
The school created a blog to post about their endeavors. I have been checking it often these past couple of days. Today when I checked it, there were some pictures of my grandpa posted. It was good to see him enjoying himself. Also posted was a picture of him from 1944. Today, 4/7/2011, just happens to be the 67th anniversary of the day my grandpa received his wings (4/7/1944). How awesome is that?
Here he is from that day so long ago. I love this picture of him. Every time we go to my grandparent's house, I go and look at it. It hangs on the wall in one of their spare bedrooms.
It makes me emotional to think about all that my grandpa and his generation have sacrificed. To know that their remaining time on earth is limited is so sad to think about; however, I know that their stories and their legacies will live on forever, and that gives me comfort. They will never be forgotten.
The last two photos I will leave you with are of my grandpa taken today during a tour of one of the memorials. In the first photo, he is the second from the left. The girl standing next to him is his student sponsor, Dakota, and the man in the middle is Kansas congressman Tim Huelskamp. Dakota said she talked to my grandpa the day before they left on the trip, and he told her he would try and behave himself. That is so like him! :o) In the second photo, my grandpa is in the middle.
Love and hugs from Kansas to DC... :o) Have a great trip, Grandpa!
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