Our daughter was invited to play Amazing Grace on her violin for the funeral of a local hero, Sgt. Major Edward S Bardwell (1927-2016) WWII Veteran. The Sgt Major could be seen in every 4h of July parade riding a vintage WWII Willys and machine gun mounted. He was the man we all could not wait to see in the parade every year, and wave and cheer.
We are all saddened to lose another WWII veteran as they leave us at the rate of 429 souls per day. Soon our WWII veteran will be no longer with us. If you know of a WWII veteran in your area, talk to them, hear their stories, record their stories, they will not be with us much longer, they will have gone the way of our WWI veterans. Our last US WWI veteran Frank Buckles passed in 2011. Soon we will be hearing of our last WWII veteran passing. Don't let the opportunity go by if you are near a WWII veteran to listen, and to be with.
Today our daughter played for this man, a great man. She could not have been more humbled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you Sgt. Major for your service! Hooorah!!!

The "Greatest Generation" will have no equal. You must be so proud of your daughter.

 

I had the good fortune to shake hands with Col. Robert Morgan, pilot of the Memphis Belle. Awesome experience.

1 hour ago, lew said:

I had the good fortune to shake hands with Col. Robert Morgan, pilot of the Memphis Belle. Awesome experience.

That is really cool Lew. What is his status today? Has he left the living, or is he still around?

11 hours ago, John Morris said:

That is really cool Lew. What is his status today? Has he left the living, or is he still around?

He passed away in 2004

We are curious what the family will do for the Sgt.Major this 4th of July parade, he has been at every one for decades. They may hang boots off his jeep? What ever they decide to do, it just won't be the same parade with out him.

I have had the privilege of knowing a WW II Veteran all my life. He was awarded 2 Purple Hearts, a Bronze star and Army Accommodation with oak leaf cluster with rank of staff sargent when he got out avfter the war and has shared may stories of his service but not until the last 10 years or so. He is now 94 but lives alone cares for his own home and yes drives. This man I am proud to say is my father who I call daily to talk and chat about family and all he is doing. Unfortunately he lives about 800 miles from me but I do visit when I can as does my daughters and their families.  

1 hour ago, Dan Broekhuizen said:

I have had the privilege of knowing a WW II Veteran all my life. He was awarded 2 Purple Hearts, a Bronze star and Army Accommodation with oak leaf cluster with rank of staff sargent when he got out avfter the war and has shared may stories of his service but not until the last 10 years or so. He is now 94 but lives alone cares for his own home and yes drives. This man I am proud to say is my father who I call daily to talk and chat about family and all he is doing. Unfortunately he lives about 800 miles from me but I do visit when I can as does my daughters and their families.  

 

Sounds like your Dad must have seen some "action". Be grateful to still have him in your life.