Tradition

I've written here before about my dad's service in Vietnam. I often mention my old Army buddy Teresa.

I don't think I have talked about how far back the military tradition goes in my family.

My brother served in the Navy.
My grandfathers served in the Army and Navy.
My great-uncle served in the Army.
At least 2 of my great-great-great grandfathers served during the Civil War. One volunteered in his 50s. He was born in Prussia and was an immigrant to this country, he joined up with a Wisconsin unit and ended up in General Sherman's march to the sea.
Way back there, some 13 generations ago, one of my ancestors served during the Revolutionary War.

That service is one of the most fascinating aspects of the genealogy research that I do. Where the units traveled, the battles fought -- all of that information, usually so dry and factual, becomes interesting and rich when you realize an actual person in your family was there.

I am grateful to have heard some of the stories straight from my dad. Thanks, Dad, for your service. Thanks to my brother "the swabbie", also, for his service in the Gulf. Thanks to Teresa --- Type type type to kill! --- and thanks to all the current and former military servicemembers for their dedication, their courage, their sacrifice.