My Father's Memory
Yesterday was Memorial Day and we were at the Walls for Family Home Evening. We had a discussion of Patriotism and love of country. Dad shared some really great thoughts. One was on his impression of the Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington DC. He said it has a sacredness to it and was a very spiritual experience for him to be there. He talked about the 52,000 young men that gave their lives for this country. Then he spoke of D-Day in Normandy, France and that great great sacrifice of those young men. The boats landed on Normandy and the doors opened and the Germans were there waiting. The first 5 rows of men were shot instantly. The water turned blood red. He told about that sacrifice and the freedoms we take for granted. While he spoke, he cried.
It reminded me of the stories I heard growing up of WWII. My father grew up in France listening to Hilter on the radio. He was 13 when Hilter invaded Paris. My grandfather was serving in the France Army (he also served in the US Army in WWI). Everyone was leaving Paris. My father said people were throwing their belongings into their cars and going south. My grandmother wouldn't leave Paris without my grandfather because she was afraid she would never see him again. So my father went outside on the curb to cry. Before long he saw an Army jeep coming down the road. It was my grandfather. He had come for his family. How happy my father was. They threw what they could into the Army jeep and headed for Bordeaux. Each time a plane flew overhead they were run and hid until it passed.
I am touched by the love that my grandfather had for his family. He sacrificed so much to rush back to them and help them get to safety. Today I am so grateful for the gospel and especially for temple sealings. I know that my father is sealed to his parents. We had that work done in the Boston temple. I know that a family that was scared long ago in Paris and did not want to be separated is now sealed together for all eternity.
It reminded me of the stories I heard growing up of WWII. My father grew up in France listening to Hilter on the radio. He was 13 when Hilter invaded Paris. My grandfather was serving in the France Army (he also served in the US Army in WWI). Everyone was leaving Paris. My father said people were throwing their belongings into their cars and going south. My grandmother wouldn't leave Paris without my grandfather because she was afraid she would never see him again. So my father went outside on the curb to cry. Before long he saw an Army jeep coming down the road. It was my grandfather. He had come for his family. How happy my father was. They threw what they could into the Army jeep and headed for Bordeaux. Each time a plane flew overhead they were run and hid until it passed.
I am touched by the love that my grandfather had for his family. He sacrificed so much to rush back to them and help them get to safety. Today I am so grateful for the gospel and especially for temple sealings. I know that my father is sealed to his parents. We had that work done in the Boston temple. I know that a family that was scared long ago in Paris and did not want to be separated is now sealed together for all eternity.
Comments