They came to us as chubby cheeked sons and daughters. We rocked them, taught them to walk and ride a bicycle, helped them with homework and then waved as they went off to fight a war that was supposed to fix everything in the world that was wrong.
Over the history of our Country, almost three quarters of a million of our children did not return.
My grandparents sent three of their five children off to fight in World War II. They lost their two youngest sons, ages 19 and 23.
Staff Sergeant John Sweet, 493rd Bomber Squadron, 7th Bomber Group, was on a bombardment mission from Pandaveswar, India, to Moulmein, Burma, when his B-24 Liberator crew was attacked by an enemy formation and crashed into the Bay of Martaban. His service and sacrifice are remembered on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Phillippines.
Staff Sergeant Allen Sweet, 301st Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division’s unit was expanding the Saarburg bridgehead, protecting the 10th Armored Division’s right flank and blocking the enemy’s escape from Trier, Germany, when he fell.
Our recent trip to Luxembourg was to see my Uncle Allen’s grave. I took two photos including one of my grandparents and one of my uncle and his four siblings and leaned them against the headstone so that my grandparents and their children could be together one last time.
He is buried along with over 5,000 of his fellow soldiers and his commanding officer, George Patton.
Several years ago, I enrolled my uncles in the database at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C.
This year I found the Gold Star Family Registry where a soldier’s information and photo can be entered along with a personal tribute. If you have lost someone in any war since World War II, I would suggest checking this site out.
There are so many brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for us to live in the “…land of the free and the home of the brave” that it always seems fitting to take time out every year to celebrate the true meaning of Memorial Day.
As long as we remember, they are not forgotten.
——
The American Battle Monuments Commission honors the service, sacrifice and achievements of United States armed forces by maintaining 24 cemeteries, 25 memorials, monuments and markers in 15 countries.
NewEnglandGardenAndThread 
A great reminder of what Memorial Day is truly about.
LikeLike
Lovely post Judy. It must have been so special visiting your Uncle’s grave.
LikeLike
It was very emotional and one that I waited many years to experience. You live in a beautiful part of our world, Denzil, and I thank your country of Belgium for its hospitality during our visit.
LikeLike
Thank you for this wonderful post reminding us what Memorial Day is really about.
LikeLike
Pingback: Remember the fallen : FROM RAMADI, IRAQ - Frugal Little Bungalow
A beautiful, beautiful post! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for remembering. Great post honor those who did not return home.
LikeLike
What a wonderful tribute to your uncles and to all our fallen heroes, men and women, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Beautiful post.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your family’s story. Their sacrifice is a blessing to those that followed.
LikeLike
My father was wounded just outside of Germany in the Battle of Metz, Nov 14, 1944, just before they broke through into Germany. He was in the 10th Armored Division, the Division your uncle was protecting, and I presume your uncle was killed some time after they’d gotten through into Germany. My father spent the weekend before he was wounded in Luxembourg being trained. We visited an American Cemetery in France, it would have been good to see the one you were at, too. I think it’s wonderful that you were able to do that and that you brought the photo.
LikeLike
It was a wonderful trip, and the gentleman at the cemetery that we had been in contact with researched who, when and where my uncle fell and even gave me copies of the records. He went above and beyond, and I even sent him a message today to thank him again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your family’s sacrifice saved all of us and continued our freedom. Thank you!
LikeLike
This is beautiful and I am so glad that you got to go and visit the grave sites. Taking those pictures with you to bring them together brought tears to me eyes. Thank you to all of the service men who have protected us over the years.
LikeLike
We spend money on a lot of projects that aren’t worth a hoot, but the money we spend to maintain these cemeteries is definitely worth it in order to respect the sacrifice made by all of these young people and their families.
LikeLike
Oh Judy – this is so touching. I have tears in my eyes. Your gesture of bringing the entire family together is just priceless in its beauty. What a privilege to be able to travel to the site of your uncle’s grave, and how emotional it must have been to actually lay eyes on it. I think I’d be overwhelmed at the thought of how well our young men have been cared for over so many years by such a gracious – and grateful – country! God bless them all!
LikeLike
Thank you. There were a lot of tears that day, but it felt wonderful to actually be there. The photos were a last minute thought on my part to bring them all together. It felt right to put them there if only for a couple of minutes.
LikeLike
What a very moving post. Thank you.
LikeLike
A beautiful tribute Judy – thanks for sharing your family’s story, and for the reminder to remember. It’s hard for those of us who have always lived in peace to imagine losing your two youngest sons. Simply beyond my powers of comprehension.
LikeLike
A very lovely and moving post!
LikeLike
Beautiful remembrance and touching tribute, Judy. Their sacrifices were immense.
LikeLike
What a beautiful tribute of your family’s sacrifice for our freedom. And you bringing the photos for them to be together again…… touching! Hugs to you!
LikeLike
Hope you had a great Memorial Day. It’s important to remember the purpose of all of the holidays we celebrate…I think too often that gets lost in the pageantry.
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
LikeLike
A wonderful post and tribute to your lost family members. It makes me ill to think about those young men and the lives they could have had.
LikeLike
This is great to read. We do tend to forget those are lost inwar.
LikeLike
Pingback: Veterans Day 2015 | NewEnglandGardenAndThread