Memorial Day - All Our Veterans

©2010 A.B. Deller, digital copy of newspaper clipping, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, Tennessee, Sunday Morning, March 11, 1945. 

Original held by D. & M. Deller

When we say the word "Veteran" or speak of honoring those who have served on Memorial Day, I immediately think of the men and women who gave their lives in service to our country.  But a few weeks ago, I was reminded that the soldiers and sailors were not the only ones serving their country.  They left behind many family members who did their part on the home front; and in many cases were left after the wars end, grieving for those who had died.

I am thinking of our Great-Uncle and Aunt, Edward Curtis Jones and Jessie Colclasure Jones.  Their only son, Edward Curtis Jones Jr., after two years of college, left his home in Tennessee, and entered the U.S. Army Air Force in January 1942 as an Aviation Cadet.  He  was killed in action over Budapest, Hungary, July 2, 1944.  He was survived by both his parents, and in March 1945, three sets of parents, including Curtis and Jessie, represented their lost sons in Memphis, Tennessee, as their sacrifice was honored.

So while I am thankful for all those men and women who have served with the military, I am also thankful for all those family members who supported them.