# 11

{Revisions down below}

Today is November 11th.  Today is Veterans Day.

How Thankful I am for all the Veterans & what they've done to protect me & my family.  How grateful I am for all those men & women who are currently serving in the armed forces.

I have many family members who have served and are serving the United States.

First off, my wonderful Dad.  He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for many years.  My Dad did a lot of cool/interesting things.  Did you know that my Dad pissed off Al Gore??  Not that that has any importance to his career, but it's just an interesting fact that I learned a year ago.  My Dad never got the chance to "go overseas" and fight a war.  He did get his chance as a civilian 3 yrs ago when he went over to Kuwait as an accountant, coordinating with the Air Force, checking for fraud & other accountant type stuff.

Second, my Brother Austin, who is currently serving in the United States Marine Corp.

Look at that handsome fellow.  I wouldn't say that we were shocked to find out that this was career path Austin wanted to choose; but he did his homework, and is fully committed to serving his country.  Right now, he stationed in Okinawa, Japan.  Love you little bro!

Next, there are my Grandpa's....Grandpa Nelson & Grandpa Loose.  Now Grandpa Loose served with the Canadian Army during WWII, but, he served along-side the Americans on D-Day {hopefully my history is right}.

Sadly, I don't have a picture of Grandpa Nelson, but I know he served his country proudly during WWII, stationed somewhere in the Caribbean {again, my history could be flawed}.

Then there's my Father-in-Law, Allan, who served in the Army during the Vietnam War.  If I remember correctly, he was stationed down in the Panama Canal.

Lastly, there's my extended family....big thanks to you!

Uncle Doug, Brandon, Aaron, & Kevin

It's so neat to sit here and write down what I've been thankful for these last couple of days.  It makes me appreciate life a little bit more.

*Revised*

So yep, I made some errors and my Dad was kind enough to point them out to me, so here are the corrections:

Grandpa Nelson served at the US Army Air Force Air-Sea Rescue Station, Bermuda, as the NCOIC of the carpentry shop. I have pictures of Grandpa during his aviation cadet training (medical washout from flying training).


Grandpa Loose didn't get to France until about D plus 20. He was a gunner on a 40mm AAA. The Canadian Army fought in the battles around Caen and Falaise, France. He survived bombings by both USAAF B-17s and Luftwaffe Ju-87 Stukas.

Uncle Kile Loose retired from the Navy. He served on a ship stationed on the coast of North Vietnam.

Uncle Kirk Zebley served in the Army in Germany.

Great Uncle Alvin Bunnage, Sgt Canadian Army, killed in combat in Italy and is buried at the Canadian Armed Forces Moro River Cemetery in Ortona, Italy. Most of the other Bunnage great uncles also fought in WWII with either the Canadian Army or RCAF.

Great Uncle Lamar Loose was also Canadian Army during WWII.

Great Uncle DeWayne Black, SSgt US Army Air Force (B-17 Flight Engineer), was shot down by Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zeroes over the Java Sea (plane caught fire and exploded). His name is listed on the MIA/Buried at Sea Tablets, Manila American Cemetery.

Great Uncle Elroy Jones was in the FBI & Navy during WWII and Uncle Alma was in the Army during the mid-50s.