On Veteran's Day, I always think of my Grandpa Poole...a great American Soldier. I have talked about him before on my blog. He served in World War II and was captured by the Japanese and forced on the Bataan Death March. He was a prisoner of war for 3 1/2 years and endured all kinds of suffering and starvation. When he was finally rescued at the end of the war. He came home to lead a quiet, humble life as a mailman.
Miraculously, he was able to forgive his tormentors and carried no hatred in his heart. It was only in his last few years that he spoke of his time as a POW and his war experiences. Yet, he always spoke of his love of this country and what it meant to him to serve and fight for our freedom. He is a true hero. He died last March and Mitchell (Buster) was born the next month. Mitchell's middle name is Harold after my grandpa.
Please take a minute today to think of all of those who have served and continue to serve out country so courageously. Many made the ultimate sacrifice and I am so grateful for them today.
One of my favorite videos:
http://youtu.be/DWrMeBR8W-c
8 comments:
I loved Uncle Harold. I really enjoyed his book.He is who I think of the most on Veteran's Day. It's nice to have somebody give our family a good name. =-)
I was amazed when I read about your Granddad before. He must have been such an amazing person to live his life after the war with no cold in his heart.
I love this. I just finished a book called 'unbroken' about a WWII POW with a story very similar to grandpa's, it was AMAZING. Christmas gift for your dad? Anyway, thanks for always paying tribute to grandpa on your blog. I would too but I'm a lazy blogger.
Cute Grandpa Poole--he was a real man. It boggles my mind to think of him actually going through that.
That Toby video made me cry.
They don't call our grandparents, including those like your Grandpa Poole who served in WWII, the "Greatest Generation" for nothing.
I can't even imagine what it must have been like to endure those types of trials, but what is amazing is that he didn't let his those deprivations define him.
He must have been very happy to live long enough to enjoy such a remarkable posterity.
Wow, what a great legacy your kids have to follow...
Love this.
Wow! Your grandfather has such an incredible story! I am reading "Unbroken" right now which is about another man's survival story as a Japanese POW. It's amazing to hear what it was like. I have to keep taking "breaks" because it is so tragic. Hats off to your grandfather.
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