I am extremely emotional and devoted to this day. I'm an admitted World War II history buff. My love for this generation of brave men is no secret to those who know me. I try to honor them as often as possible. One of my favorite news anchors, Tom Brokaw, called them The Greatest Generation. He'll get no argument from me.
I was raised by one. My Daddy, Harold Carr, served in the Navy and the battles of the Pacific. It wasn't until the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. that I heard him talking to a fellow Navy man about his war experiences. I was stunned. Ralph is my hero as a Navy man, as is my beloved Father.
My thoughts today are about all who were involved in the landings on the beaches of Normandy. I have read so many books,watched scores of movies and documentaries on the D-Day invasion. I thought I was well informed until my friend, J. R. Hoffman entered my life. We lost J. R. on May 24 of this year. I am devastated. J. R. married Lavania Workman, my Daddy's first cousin. He was a West Virginia boy and I want to honor his life today. J. R. was a decorated World War II veteran serving as a combat medic with Co. M 119th Infantry. Regiment, 30th Infantry Division. This American hero served as a combat medic on Omaha Beach. I can't even imagine surviving that ordeal but J. R. did. Over the years we talked at length about his experiences. I told him that I would probably be in tears while he was talking but to carry on. To say it was an eye opener is an understatement.
J.R. enriched my life by living his to the fullest.He shared so many stories with me. Some were profoundly sad. Some stories were funny. Most of the stories were shocking and horrific. J. R. also served at The Battle of the Bulge. It was so much to take in but I was so humbled by this lovely man. He gave up so much to serve this country. He was decorated with the Bronze Star, The Purple Heart, the Oak Leaf Clusters and the Good Conduct Medal.
Unfortunately, J. R. would make another sacrifice. This one almost destroyed him. On November 4, 1970, his son, David was killed in Viet Nam. This took everything he had to continue and journey on.
I always found J. R. ready to greet you, to make you smile and feel like you truly mattered to him. It was a blessing and gift to me.
He is still my American Hero and still my friend. I will miss him dearly. I know he is with David and that comforts me. As long as I am on this earth, I will honor J. R. Hoffman on D-Day. I will keep in in my heart forever.
The thousands of men who joined J. R. on this momentous day are to never be forgotten and should always be honored through the years.
I watched as the Veterans of this day were praised by world leaders. Their members are being reduced daily by the hundreds. For many, this will be their last visit to those beaches that they so bravely stormed or parachuted from the sky overhead, or those aboard the ships at sea providing protection for the men on the beaches. The future of our world depended upon their success.
I would like to suggest that you Google General Dwight Eisenhower's letter to all of the men who would be involved in the Normandy Invasion. Here is the first paragraph.
"You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave allies and brothers-in-arms on other fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed people of Europe and security for ourselves in a free world."
They did just what they were ordered to do. Those who survived the Beaches never looked back and never rested until the Germans surrendered.
THEY SAVED THE WORLD
Sandra Carr Neely
Photo: J.R. and Lavania Hoffman, 2010
No comments:
Post a Comment