Veterans Day: Thanks to Those Who Serve
Posted on November 11, 2008 in Genealogy by DM
One of the aspects of my ongoing genealogy project (11 years and counting!) that I enjoy is researching the military service records of those ancestors who served their country. On Veterans Day, it seems appropriate to mention a few of them:
- My dad, Alvin Barcheski, served in the US Air Force in the early 1950’s and was stationed in Casablanca (Morocco) from 1953-54. A true treasure among his possessions is a photo album that gives a thorough chronicle of his time in that country.
- My maternal grandfather, Barney Craft, served in World War I and was sent to France. He returned safely and was forever asking his grandchildren, “Par le vous Francaise?” I still have his uniform.
- My maternal great-great-grandfather, William Thornburg, served in the Civil War and was wounded in the hip (or “shot in the ass,” as my husband likes to say) at Parker’s Cross Roads, TN in December, 1861. Thanks to military history books and his service record, I’ve got a very complete picture of his years of service.
One of the connections I’m still researching? There’s a possibility that I am descended from General Hugh Mercer, who served under George Washington in the Revolutionary War. I do not say this lightly – I’m still trying to prove it, as doing so would qualify me for full membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution.
I would also be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge two living family members who served: My husband, Steve, who entered the US Marine Corps in 1967 and served in Viet Nam from 1968-69; and my father-in-law, Art Green, who served in the US Navy during World War II.
Each of these veterans, and their millions of American brethren who have served or are still serving, have my heartfelt thanks – today and every day.
photo from www.maps-inc.org.
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2 comments to “Veterans Day: Thanks to Those Who Serve”
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I’m sorry to report that I don’t have many veterans in my bloodlines–as far as I know. It’s somewhat different among my friends and neighbors. For example, one of them served in the Navy in the early 1950s; another trained Air Force pilots in Texas at the same time.
It’s interesting to read about the military services of well-known personalities. For example, cartoonists Brad Anderson (Marmaduke) and the late Hank Ketcham (Dennis the Menace) both served in the Navy. Mort Walker (Beetle Bailey) based his best-known cartoon, Beetle Bailey, upon his years at a camp in Missouri.
The first American to orbit the earth, John Glenn, was a Marine Corps pilot. The first man on the Moon, Neil Armstrong, had served in the Navy (I think with the likes of a future Chief of Naval Operations) as an aviator flying off of an aircraft carrier during the Korean conflict. Among Armstrong’s shipmates was novelist James Michener, who had served in the military (Navy?) during the second World War and would use his observations of carrier operations and carrier life in his novel, The Bridges At Toko-Ri.
Former Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura served as a Navy SEAL. U. S. Representative Leonard Boswell was a helicopter pilot for the Army in Vietnam.
There are many pro athletes who have served their country as well. For example, Roger Staubach, who distinguished himself at Annapolis, was a Naval officer before joining the Dallas Cowboys. Last, but not least, professional football player Pat Tillman volunteered to serve in the Middle East–where he made the ultimate sacrifice.
There are many examples of famous people who are veterans. Hopefully many of tomorrow’s leaders are being bred right now in such places as Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as with the cleanup efforts in the wakes of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike.
Anyone is welcome to correct me or add to my list, which is pitifully small.
On the contrary, Joel, lots of good info here! How about some of our classic film actors, such as Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart and Audie Murphy? I’m sure there are many more – Elvis Presley served, too. These are just a few I can think of off the top of my head. Here are a couple of links with a few more that I found by doing a quick Google search for “famous veterans”:
http://www.kidsthankavet.com/?path=famous and
http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,famous_veterans,00.html