Remembering The Veterans In Your Life

There were two veterans in my life growing up.

Clifford Greer, my grandfather on my mother's side served in the Navy during World War II and the Korean War. I don't remember him talking about his experience there much, if at all. But on a visit to my parents earlier this year, I noticed they had acquired several boxes of his photo albums. They showed the happier side of life on a warship, with groups of young sailors mugging for the camera or goofing around. He spent the later years of his life in Maryland, where he was always glad to show us around the area or feed the ducks with me and my sister on the dock in back of his house. He died when I was in elementary school, and I still think of him whenever I need to use the pocketknife he gave me as a Christmas gift long ago.

Also on my mother's side was her brother, Robert Greer. We saw Uncle Bob more frequently, as he was a leatherworker who sold beautiful wallets and purses at craft shows. it was a yearly tradition for him to stop at one near our Massachusetts home and spend a few days with us. He loved to take walks with his dogs, was a huge sci-fi buff, and always had a funny story to tell.

He was a Vietnam veteran, serving two tours of duty with the Marines. He earned a Bronze Star during his time as a helicopter gunner, taking part in a mission where he had to lay down suppressing fire as supplies were dropped to ground troops below. He always thought it was unusual that he got a reward for this, as he considered it just part of his duty.

"I had to do the same thing so many times," he once told me. "I guess those guys really needed those supplies, because they put all of us in for a commendation."

He died in February of 2009. I carry one of his wallets with me, and I'll always miss those visits.

Who are the veterans who have helped to shape your life? Let us know in the comments, and feel free to add their photo to this article.