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| Nick E. Morrison, Service # 35911900, Rank Private First Class, U.S. Army, Unit: 157th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, Entered Service From Ohio. Date of Death June 2, 1944. Buried Plot B Row 9 Grave 31, Sicily-Rome American Cemetery |
One way to connect with personal purpose is to reflect on those who came before us and endured great hardships and sacrifices, to bequeath to us, their heirs, a system of principles and laws designed to “secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity.” Here are some men I will be reflecting on today:
My uncle Nick Morrison did not make it back from WWII. He was only 19 and gave “the last full measure of devotion,” sacrificing life, love and family. Think about that. I cannot imagine the agony my grandparents had to endure over the loss of their only son. Over 50 years later, a friend visited the Sicily-Rome Memorial Cemetery where he was laid to rest and brought back a photograph of his grave site which I gave to my mother. She still wept at the loss of her kid brother.
My uncle George Popa was also a Marine who served in WWII and Korea. He passed away in 2007 and was laid to rest at Old Mission San Luis Rey.
This is a day I have much to contemplate, including a solemn obligation to prove worthy of those who went before, of those I miss. I’m sure it is the same for most of you and especially for those of you either in harm’s way or who desperately love those who are.
4 comments:
David, these American men related to you who fought, sacrificed and served US all so well, would certainly be proud of your determined and clear efforts to keep the light of freedom and liberty burning in America. All real Americans imbued with a true understanding of history thank you for your hard work on our behalf!
In memoriam today.
My father, Manley Hines, service from 1940 to 1956, US Army Air Corps (B-25, P-38), SC Air National Guard (P-51s), NC Air National Guard (F-86), Captain, 65 combat missions in the European theater. Distinguished Flying Cross. Died 1988.
My mother, Marian Hines, service from 1942 to 1946, US Army Nurse Corps, 1st Lieutenant, in combat zone from 1943 to 1945, relieved POW nurses at Santo Tomas Hospital during the Siege of Manila, Bronze Star for rescuing patients while under artillery barrage by the Japanese. Died 2013.
David,
Best to you and the memory of your Dad.
Cheers
TV
hello David...thanks for all you do for our rights and I thank your family for their service also.
My father joined the USMC in 1944...he was sixteen...he of course needed permission from my grandfather and grandmother. He boot camped at Parris Island. He was in the 1st Marine Division, 2nd battalion, 7th Marines. At 17 he was already in his first fire fight, he was a BAR man. Life expectancy in a fire fight no more than 30 seconds. Odd thing is, and some of your readers MIght know, a portion of the 1st were deployed to China...that's where dad served. They were called "the 1st Division China Marines". The things dad saw and experienced at such a young age is almost unbelievable. As he started ageing, he would share some gruesome stories with me and my brother...not my sisters. Dad was all Marine and raised his 2 sons that way. Mom worked in the war factories during WWll.
Dad passed in August 2013, just 3 weeks shy of his 86th b-day. Mom passed 4 months later at 86...I still think of both of them EVERYDAY...RIP mom and dad....thanks David
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