To me, Veteran’s Day is a personal recognition day extended to all who served in peace and war time. Each branch of service is recognized and honored. As the saying goes: “All gave some – Some gave all.”
My clan, for example, served as follows.
Army – husband**, brother, grandson*
Navy – father*, brother, aunt*
Marine Corps – son*, husband
Air Force – son*, husband*
Coast Guard – father*
* signifies in wartime. ** in combat.
Two of these men, my father and a son, were buried in their uniforms since their service was deemed so important in their lives. The armed conflicts were World War II, the Korean War, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Iraq, - too many in mind.
As a teenager, I dated a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the man who married me the day after he graduated in 1956 and then served for twenty years, seven of them in Germany and with two tours in Viet Nam finishing up with the command of an Armored (tank) battalion. Two of our four sons were born in Germany, David at Ft. Knox and Erik in New Mexico. Erik graduated from the United States Air Force Academy and our grandson Jakob from West Point ‘09. Our son John was a Lance Corporal, USMC at the time of his death at the Marine’s El Toro Air Station.
In the 57 years of our marriage, John was happiest up there on Oxford Mine Road with his hikes up to Red Top and being able to hear Pauley Creek down below. He loved Sierra County and was proud to have been a bell ringer on Veteran’s Day. He appreciated the contribution made by those who initiated and supported the ceremony at the bell tower especially John Funk (Navy – flags), Bernie Stringer (Marine – VN**), and Carol Marshall for David and Jack, and all those others.
In 2013, the handout of the names of Sierra County veterans numbered 122; Army 42, Navy 31, Marines 27, Coast Guard 1, Public Health Service 1, and Air Force 20. The bell has rung for so many of these people in these past eleven years but they will be proudly remembered in our hearts not only on Memorial Day but as we stand both in formation and as spectators this year at the bell tower at noon on the 11th of November. We salute you – all of you!
Mary P Johnsen
Fairfield