Anon, lend me your ears.

Yesterday I posted some negative things out of sickness and tiredness and personal issues. I gave things a lot of thought and a good cry and I return to you renewed, and with this true story that might help someone I will try to be brief.

After Pearl Harbor, my Dad enlisted, as many did. He signed up for the paratroopers and was assigned to the 513th (of the 17th Airborne). After training in the states, he was sent to England for more training. He and his brothers in arms could not wait to help turn the war around with the inevitable invasion of Europe.

But unlike the heroes of the 516th (Band of Brothers), they were kept in reserve on D-Day. While others died, they drilled. And prayed. And stewed.

Soon afterwards came Market Garden, the planned of invasion of Germany, led by Paratroopers. As our forces were being crushed because of bad planning and worse luck, my Father and his brothers in arms drilled. And prayed. And stewed.

My father and the 513th would eventually be trucked to Belgium to help hold the line. The company lost 80% of it's men, but played a crucial role in stopping the German breakout (as did everyone there). And remember, my Dad still had not yet parachuted into action… the very thing he had trained for for 2 years.

In the end, the remnants of my Dad's company along with others re-formed and finally parachuted into Germany for Operation Varsity…which ended the war in Europe.

Moral of the story? We have been trained for a great duty and a great responsibility. We have no control over how or when we are used.

We just need to drill. We just need to pray. And yes, we need to stew… to hone our anticipation and impatience into a white hot fire that will melt out enemy when we are called to action.

Godspeed Anons. WWG1WGA