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WWII MEMORIAL


To My Dear Grandpa Bob,

I was there this last Monday, Grandpa. I was there at the memorial they built to honor you and your brother, Bud. Mom, Dad, Tyler, Jordan, Austin, Corey and me--we were all there.



I saw the wreath that honored you and your state,


I read the words that honored your efforts,



I saw the sculptures coming from the wall honoring your comrades, and the banner of our noble country.



And last, I wept when I saw the gold stars. I wept for gratitude because you came home, Grandpa, you came home and married Grandma Iris and decades later I got to be your lucky great-grandbaby. I wept for sadness because one star was for your brother Sheldon "Bud" Barrett, who didn't come home, he was struck down as he flew over Italy. And I wept because of all the pain of all the people of all the places in that war. And I wept for freedom, because it isn't free, and you know that as well as anyone.



Grandpa, thanks for the ice cream and the drives in your truck and for camping in your trailer at Fish Lake. Thanks for letting me maul your dog Skip with all my messy kisses and hugs. Grandpa, you still make me smile because the smell of beer always reminds me of you and your Navy Sailor tongue got me in trouble on the playground (... "oh that's not a bad word, my grandpa says it all the time!"...) Oh Grandpa, I love you, I miss you. I was too young in life to think to ask you about the war or to hold you close while I thanked you for all you sacrificed. But I'm writing it down now so I can tell you someday: Thank you.

xoxo, your granddaughter,
"Michelob"

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