Veteran's Day 2016

     Some time ago, I was looking for anything related to my grandmother singing at White Hall City, a big band concert hall in Ogden, Utah. The public library found me this article by chance, and I was blown away. It's regarding my grandfather's service, along with his brother, AND father who had already served in WWI.
     Happy Veteran's Day to all who have served. I'm grateful for our freedoms, and those who have dedicated their lives to providing it.

J.



The article reads:

     "FAMILY AFFAIR...W. Frederick Schofield (above left) and A. Wayne Schofield (above right) brothers in the army air corps, have been followed by their father, Walter H. Schofield (at the side) a veteran sailor of the last war. He leaved Monday to join the fleet on the Pacific coast.

     Father Follow Youths Into Nation's Armed Services - Not to be outdone by his two sons, Walter H. Schofield, 41 of 875 Sixteenth, Saturday enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as quartermaster, second class, from 1918 to 1922. He is one of Ogden's veteran barbers.
     Mr. Schofield's two boys are in the army air corps. W. Frederick Schofield, 21, is a mechanic and is already serving his country in the Pacific area. A. Wayne Schofield, 19, is a pilot and plans to become a bombadier. He is at Moffatt field, Calif.
     The older boy is starting his third year in the service, and the younger one has been in the army air corp for a little more than a year. Mr. Schofield joined the navy through Ogden recruiting sub-station."

Veteran's Day 2014

"Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave." 

- Star Spangled Banner

   Two nights ago, our little ones asked what Veteran's Day was. They knew it was a blissful day off from school for sure, but not what the occasion marked. The conversation continued through yesterday when both our 8YO and 4YO asked more about it while we were in the car. We explained, they nodded, and then our 4YOU blurted out, "I see a white van!" (sigh.....)

   My last Veteran's Day post was from 2012, which was short and sweet. This year I say a quiet thank you to my two grandfathers for their service in the Army Air Corp.

Everett Howard Swann (left) 1918-1975     -     Arthur Wayne Schofield (right) 1922-2013

   Recently, my aunt discovered some letters from my great uncle to his parents, sent home during WWII in 1942. This was a beloved brother, son, and husband, who joined the service in an answer to his country's call. It was a terrible time of war (and is reflected in some of his language). I consider the time and circumstance of a nation at war. My great uncle Fred was killed while in service,  and never made it home. That makes it hard to read the line, "I can't say where I have been but will tell you one of these days when I get back." I stumbled across the article to the right some time ago that features both brothers AND their father enlisted at the same time. As my grandfather put it, "It's just something we all felt that we needed to do." I admire the snapshot we get from great uncle Fred's letter. Love for his wife, respect for his father, and a love for his country. Below is the letter transcribed from the letter photocopied and sent to me. I never knew my great uncle, but this little piece of him survived and ties me to him, even if a little bit more. 

June 20, 1942 Dear Mother and Dad,     Gosh it sure was swell to hear from you. I received your Christmas card and letter and was sure happy to receive them. It gets so darn lonesome over here without my adorable wife. I sure do miss her. But I guess a fellow would miss a person a awful lot if he loved his wife as much as I do.     Well pop I guess I have seen some of the places you have seen. At the present time I am in Australia, + I am now in non-combat zone and so things are pretty quiet. I can't say where I have been but will tell you one of these days when I get back.     You know those Japs are sure poor shots. They never did hit anything when they did their bombing. I think I could do better with my eyes closed than those slant-eyed so & so can with their eyes open. The good old U.S. Air Force are sure raising hell --- with the Japs though. The boys fly over their targets then come back and tell us how they sure made things hot for all Nipon [Nippon]. You know I don't see why those Japs don't quit because they sure bit off more than they can chew when they picked on the good old U.S.A.    Gosh I never in my whole life realized what the United States meant to me until I left to come over here. It is the most wonderful place in the whole world. I heard the National Anthem played the other day and it reminded me of the States and sent chills up + down my spine I thought what a wonderful country I live in. I imagine you can understand how I feel pop being you were away from the States.    You know Australia is somewhat like the States even though it is 20 years behind us. The climate is a lot the same though they haven't the snow like we have in the States.    Well it is 11:30 so I guess it is time to go to bed so will close now till my next letter.     Well good night,     Fred

   So celebrate Veteran's Day by having some time off if you're able, and remember those who serve and have served our country to defend our freedoms.

Veteran's Day 2012

Everett Howard Swann (left) 1918-1975     -     Arthur Wayne Schofield (right) 1922-Present



“War does not determine who is right - only who is left.” ― Bertrand Russell

   On this Veternan's Day, I wanted to post a rememberance of the men in our family that served in the military. Both of my granfathers served in the Army Air Corp. Everett, on my father's side, died the week after I was born. Without writing a book, I know he was good at what he did and was recognized for some innovative thinking within his time in the service. Arthur celebrated 70 years of marriage this past year, only to lose his sweetheart about 6 months later. His time in the service is still labeled as "war is pointless". He lost his brother early on and has never wanted to talk about it much, other than to put down the concept of war.

   I don't know anyone else that has spent that kind of time in the service within our family, making them icons to us, for participating in something so great and terrible. Their experiences are unique in our family, as none of us can relate. I'm proud to be of their blood and know them to both be honorable and loving men, who put their wives and families first. Between them there are 7 children, 26 grandchildren, and 71 great-grandchildren. The legacy lives on.

J.