Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Memorial Day Remembrances
Would you like to share a remembrance of someone close to you who served in the U.S. military?
Would you like to offer thanks to our veterans and to those who’ve lost their lives to ensure our freedoms?
Here’s what you said:
Remembering my uncle, Robert Hodge. KIA Monte Cassino, 1944.
Daryl Hodge, Arnold
I am honoring my husband John for his Vietnam war service in the Marine Corps. John was drafted out of University of Maryland law school as soon as graduate deferments ended, and he proudly gave up school, family, and friends to serve his country. That service delayed his personal dreams and plans, but he tackled the challenge the same way he approaches everything else—with dedication, commitment, and gusto, graduating at the top of his training class before being sent to the war zone.
When he returned, it was a culture shock because so much had changed in such a short time. We married when he had only a few months of service remaining, and although the Marines tried hard to recruit him for JAG, he chose to return to civilian life, finish law school and go into law practice.
His military service meant he completed law school later than all his friends, married later, and had children later, but our children grew into successful adults, his law practice thrived, and we have been married for over 50 years.
I am happy to honor him for so willingly serving his country, and diving right back into law school upon his return. We have lived in South River Colony the past 21 years, and John contributed to this community as a Board of Trustees member and member of various committees. It's been a good life and I am happy to have shared it with this patriot.
Donaileen Dondero, Edgewater
I would like to honor my father. World War Two Tail Gunner, Firefighter. Wonderful family man. He died of COVID on Christmas Eve 2020. He lived in a Senior Care home that, per the ruling at the time they allowed restricted visits in the rooms. Someone who was sick came to visit their loved one and infected the Home. Over six residents including my father lost their lives to a careless, thoughtless killer. Alone in a hospital with strangers. One of the last things he said to me was that he couldn't believe he had lived through so much danger in his life to be taken down by careless, thoughtless people who wouldn't wear a mask or believe in the danger. I honor my father. The bravest man. I condemn thoughtless, brainless, egotistical cowards who will not face up to their responsibilities as citizens in a pandemic.
Cathy Gartside, Annapolis
Dad was always proud of his service in the Navy during WW2. He told us about some of the funny things that happened to him. Never spoke of anything bad. We are so grateful and proud of all veterans, the ones serving now and those who have given their lives for the USA.
Cindy Ruark, Cambridge
My father wanted to enlist in the US Army but could not because he had two small babies. He enlisted in the local Nat'l Guard and set up coastal spotter towers and had local farmer keep their eyes toward the skies for German planes and volunteers in OC and Rehoboth to keep watch on the Atlantic Ocean for German Subs. My mother's brother L.Herbert Griffith was a US Navy Lt. stationed in the Aleutian Islands off of Alaska, my two great uncles Dr. WM. Noble and John Noble served in the European War fighting the Germans in France and Austria. I'm a Vet. US Navy Corpsman ( USNA (Annapolis, MD and Argentina New Foundland CA. (two companies of Marines) security air base. 1963 to 1967.
John Payne, Easton
