My father has two uncles who served in WWII (his father did not, since he had a family of three by that time, I guess), one in the Navy who never married and the other who was in the Army Air Force who married twice but had no children. These were honorable men who my father was friends with all their remaining lives, but he does not often speak of them. I really need to collect and share all my Dad's stories about these two "branchless" men, lest their memory slip away. Thanks for this article which helps motivate me!
Peggy Clemens LauritzenMay 1, 2013
I had a lump in my throat as I read this. I, too, kept one of these banners hanging, for three of my four children have served in the US Army in recent years. And...my oldest son passed away as a single young man of 30.
This was such a tender post.
Carol PetranekMay 1, 2013
Very true -- how many unmarried ancestors pass into the realms of "forgotten" because they have no living descendants to seek them out. Thus the importance of doing FAMILY history research, not just direct-line ancestors. Thank you for a thoughtful column.
Comments | Return to Story
Cary HolmquistMay 1, 2013
My father has two uncles who served in WWII (his father did not, since he had a family of three by that time, I guess), one in the Navy who never married and the other who was in the Army Air Force who married twice but had no children. These were honorable men who my father was friends with all their remaining lives, but he does not often speak of them. I really need to collect and share all my Dad's stories about these two "branchless" men, lest their memory slip away. Thanks for this article which helps motivate me!
Peggy Clemens LauritzenMay 1, 2013
I had a lump in my throat as I read this. I, too, kept one of these banners hanging, for three of my four children have served in the US Army in recent years. And...my oldest son passed away as a single young man of 30. This was such a tender post.
Carol PetranekMay 1, 2013
Very true -- how many unmarried ancestors pass into the realms of "forgotten" because they have no living descendants to seek them out. Thus the importance of doing FAMILY history research, not just direct-line ancestors. Thank you for a thoughtful column.
ADD A COMMENT