In memorium: Hugh O'Brien

[jchrisobrien]

My grandfather was on the beach at Normandy. He rode in one of those little landing boats, spray drenching him. He ran out of those boats into a hail of machine gun fire. While crawling up the beach, he took a bullet through his arm, which continued to hit his best friend in the face. "Right between the eyes" he said.

It was the first and only story he told me about his time in World War II. It smacks a bit of the apocryphal, but you don't question your grandfather about a story like that. Well, I didn't at least.

It's only fitting on this Memorial Da to remember those who gave their lives in the service. Politics aside, they made a sacrifice that most of us are unwilling to do. Maybe the times were clearer then, it doesn't matter. My time for service is past. I can hope that my children won't have to make that choice. But if they do, I'll honor them the same was as I did my grandfather.

Thank you, Grandpa.

Comments

[sbazzy.livejournal.com]

my grandpa was at Normandy too. unfortunately, during the time when he still had the mental clarity to be able to possibly talk about it, i was too young to appreciate this fact and bother asking about it. i definitely regret this, and somehow doubt he ever talked to my mother or my aunt about it.

[silas7.livejournal.com]

I only remember talking to him about it when I was younger, I asked once or twice but stopped because it made him very sad. He did show me the pistol her used during the war. It's the only time I've seen anyone in my family with a gun.