My grandparents belonged to what is called the greatest generation. These are the men and women who lived through two world wars. Today is Veteran’s Day 2019 and I want to take a moment and honor my family who served in World War II.
I am a huge fan of history, especially World War II history. I think the more you can learn and understand about the past, the less likely you are to repeat it. It is one thing to read about the battles and the sacrifices of the brave, but it is another to read it in the scope of my grandfather being in the middle, among the gunfire and the bombs. It makes it personal and emotional. I am beyond thankful for their service and the service of so many that allow my freedoms today. In my family tree, I counted 20 men who served in WWII, great uncles and distant 3rd or 4th cousins, but I want you to meet two of the men closest to me, my grandfathers.
I wish I knew more about their service, I am working to attain the full accounts but this is what I know…they were brave, the made a great sacrifice, and they came home to their loved ones. They were able to get past the horrors of war and find love, have families, and enjoy life.
Harry Franklin Conour Jr.
This is my dad’s dad. He died when I was about 1 and 1/2 years old and unfortunately I do not remember him. He was a talented carpenter and I still have some of the furniture he made for me. It is a treasured item. He served in the US Army from April 6, 1945, until June 25, 1946, in the Pacific Theatre of the war in the Philippines. My dad recalls that he trained soldiers to drive tanks. He did not talk about his war experience much. I wish I knew more of his story, his wartime movements, and exactly where he served.
Harry’s Registration Card- 1940
Walter Edward Friese
This is my mom’s dad. He served in the US Army from March 5, 1943, to March 10, 1946. He died in I was in my 20s and I have very special memories of him. Grandpa had major heart surgery in the 1980s and when I visited during his recovery, it was my job to “walk grandpa” and make sure he got his exercise. I loved those walks.
He used to smoke apple tobacco in his pipe, but that was a secret and I couldn’t tell my nana. He loved reading the newspaper and, in full disclosure, I loved to sneak up on him and thump the paper so it folded in on him. It was my favorite game, not his. I heard “Kimberly Ann,” said a lot in frustration when I visited their house. I was an ill-mannered child, to whitewash it a bit. For all the trouble I caused, he loved me a lot and was very kind. Grandpa worked hard and was a serious man, but when he did laugh it shook the room. It was rare to get my grandpa talking about the war and I wish I could have recorded his stories. It was a special day when he started talking.
Walter’s Registration Card- 1942
The War Souvenir
One day, Grandpa told me he wanted to show me something that he got in the war. I was expecting medals or awards but was totally surprised at what he presented. He pulled out of a drawer a white plate with a red rim around the edges. It was the heaviest plate I ever held. Grandpa told me that this plate was from the remains of a house that his unit found and raided. The backside had German writing and a Nazi swastika. I remember being super impressed and a bit overwhelmed that I was holding a real piece of history. It was his only war souvenir and he handled it with great care. My mom remembers the same story but with an added twist, grandpa told her the plate was from Hitler’s house.
I, unfortunately, do not have the plate today. It was lost after my grandma died but I do have the memory. I also can’t prove the Hitler angle but I am working on it.
The Sherman Tank
My grandpa loved big trucks and drove them before and after the war. He drove tanks in the war and told me he was among the second wave landing on the beach at Normandy and was also in the Battle of the Bulge. His most memorable story was about how he rolled a Sherman tank. He was driving along and the tread came off while on a hill and he rolled the tank. He was so proud of that accomplishment, rolled a tank and lived to tell about it.
Talking about the war was hard for him and there were lots of things he didn’t share with me. I have been told that after the Battle of the Bulge he had a detail where he had to load dead bodies on a truck and burn areas where bodies lay. Some of the units that were involved in the Battle of the Bulge were also some that helped liberate concentration camps. I am not sure if this was his unit or not but I can’t image how horrific those memories would have been.
I will forever be so proud of the service of both of my grandfathers, they are very special men and I am honored to be in their family tree.
I am super thankful for the sacrifice of so many brave men and women, and the bravery of all who served and continue to serve. Today we honor them all. Thank you for your service to our country.
Till next time,
Kimberly