Inspired by other posts along the same lines.
When I think of family members that have served in the military during war time I am always thinking how very lucky my family has been. We have not lost a man during war time....at least not in the family records (which honestly don't go back all that far).
My Dad's Grandpa served the country during WWII. Unfortunately he died before I was ever old enough or interested enough to ask questions. I'm sure my Dad knows what 'front' Grandpa served on, but I don't know. When Grandpa died of a brain anuersym he was given a military funeral but was buried in the local cemetery. I managed to hold my 19 y/o self together until they played Taps---then I was bawling.
My Mom's Dad did not serve. I'm not sure why, it could have been health issues. But I'm not sure. Her Step-father served, though. He was in the Navy. Again, I never asked questions so I don't know whether he served in the Pacific or if he was in European waters. He and Grandma didn't marry until I was five or six but he was my favorite Grandpa. He died of a heart attack on Dec. 26. I was young, married, and broke when he died. I didn't get to go to his funeral---but he was buried with full military honors at the Naval Base in San Diego, CA.
My Dad served during the Vietnam war. He was a Submariner and was doing some top secret stuff that the Navy didn't/doesn't want known. He was not allowed to talk about it for many years and it's only been recently that we found out his submarine was depth charged several times. He was an officer of sorts: his title was Chief of the Boat. I don't know what he did--but he had his own office. Which was a rarity in submarines.
Neither of my brothers felt the call to serve our country. Which is okay, I could have served but chose not to, too. But, all three of my brother's children are in the Service. Ray is in the Air Force, he has not seen action but is well trained on loading bombs onto F-16s and F-18's. Ray was been stationed in England for five years and did a quick three month tour in Turkey. Right now he is in Alamagordo, NM. My other nephew, Christopher, is in the Army. He was in Iraq for a few months and the position he was in kept him safely in camp most of the time. He did go out on missions a couple of times, but they were really short and he made it back to camp safe and sound each time. He is currently in Fort Bragg, NC. My niece is married to an Army guy. When he went to Iraq for six months she and her son lived with Chris and I. Michael was injured while he was over there----but it wasn't technically an injurry recieved during combat. He fell out of a helicopter and screwed his knee up. Right now they are in Hawaii and he is undergoing numerous surgeries and rehab. I believe when he is well enough he is going to take classes to become a medic so he can stay in even though his knee is toast.
I have an Uncle that was in the National Guard. He spent several months in Iraq during the first Gulf War. We are lucky that he came home uninjured and he has finally retired from the National Guard.
My family has been blessedly lucky. I thank veterans and their families every chance I get---because if it weren't for the sacrifies of these brave men and women we might all be speaking German or Japanese.