(S8) - PT 2 - Memorial Day

[manicmav36]

Memorial Day holds a special place in Owen Taylor’s heart as 3 of his 4 grandparents served in World War II, 2 of which are still surviving. His grandfather on his father’s side (who is no longer with us, God rest his soul) was an infantryman and one of the members of the first wave in the landing party on D-Day. He never enjoyed talking about it much as the pain of watching so many of his friends die before him was a heavy cross to bear. Of his 36-man platoon, he was 1 of only 7 to survive. His brother, also a member of the landing party, but in a separate platoon, did not survive. Taylor’s grandfather on his mother’s side was severely wounded by a piece of shrapnel in the South Pacific and sent back home to recover. While recovering from his wound, he met my grandmother, who was a nurse in the military hospital he was recovering at. These stories should be a stark reminder of the cost of freedom to Americans everywhere. Because of the somber family history for the Taylors, it’s not much of party atmosphere, but there’s always grilling with the family, and usually a few friends stop by for lunch.