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Across the Fence:  Really cool WWII relic belonging to beloved Uncle.  |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 06:10:27 AM
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Hey girls! For those of you who know me and my jokes about my husband's WWII planes and love of all things WWII related, you'll understand why I'm so happy for him, receiving the gift he was given yesterday.
His Great Uncle, Father Kenny Lynch, was with the Spearhead Division (Patton's div.) in the Battle of the Bulge. He was the Division Chaplain, of the Catholic order. He was the highest decorated priest in WWII with 2 bronze stars, a silver star and a purple heart. He stayed in the military and even served in Korea, giving the Christmas Eve Mass with Cardinal Spelman at Heartbreak Ridge. He is my husband's hero, needless to say, and we have a "few" items from his service, like his scrapbook of Belgium and the Ardennes (with pictures of bodies stacked like cord wood, medievil villages blown apart by bombings, etc...) but my fil, cleaning out his parents attic since the've both passed on, came upon Father Kenny's sea bag, with his name stenciled in white, his rank and serial number, and knew my husband would be the "right" caretaker.
My husband came home last night from work at 1 am, with the bag slung over his shoulder to show me, walking into the bedroom. Of course, he had to wake me up, and though I was VERY sleepy, I wanted to share in his excitement, and thought I'd share with you girls this a.m. It's a really wonderful piece of his family's history, and it means the world to him.
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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graciegreeneyes
True Blue Farmgirl
3107 Posts
Amy Grace
Rosalia
WA
USA
3107 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 06:33:29 AM
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Wow - what a wonderful gift - that is really cool. Good for you for being excited for him even though you were sleeping:) I love family history and connections - even better that it is an area of such interest for him.
Amy Grace
Farmgirl #224
"use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without"
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nut4fabric
True Blue Farmgirl
885 Posts
Kathy
Morgan Hill
CA
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 06:50:19 AM
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My son is in the Navy and uses his Grandfathers sea bag from World War Two. He gets alot of comments on it as it is different from the ones issued today but the officers respect it's past and let him use it.
Kathy |
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marlee
True Blue Farmgirl
1650 Posts
Marlene
DeRidder
Louisiana
1650 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 07:01:47 AM
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Oh Jonni,that is sos awesome for your husband to have. I have a couple of things from my dad from WW11. I'veheard my dad tell of things he was envolved in and some people he knew : Patton,Bob Hope (U.S.O. shows). After a bombing in Yancey, France him and another soldier walking down the street through piles of debrie,he heard a baby crying.
He searched and actually found the baby wrapped in a blanket. He said that baby was not hurt at all. A woman was standing on the edge of a half blown building dad said he wlked over and handed the baby to her. And she said duncashain(not sure that spelled right) means thank you. He sai she said it several times to him. There are so many stories and we were blessed to get them on video, before daddy passed away 6 years ago next month at age 93.
They will be passes down in the family.I know your husband will treasure them.
Marlee |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 07:15:24 AM
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Yes, girls, this means the world to him--Kathy, that's awesome that your son uses his grandfather's sea bag and they allow it. It must be such a source of pride for him.
Marlee, what amazing stories! That story of the baby gave me chills. I cannot imagine what a terrible, frightening time in their lives this must have been. Lives forever changed, on all accounts. I'm so glad you were able to get him talking on video!
Justin's Grandfather, Paul, was the youngest of 10, and all 8 boys all joined up to serve. Their father, Paul, Sr., served on the draft board here in Cincinnati. They didn't want it to appear as if they got preferential treatment. We have many local newspaper articles about "The Fighting Lynch's" as they were called. Only one did not return, James, who was killed in the Pacific and the family story goes that both Paul Lynch, Sr. and his wife, Mary Murphy Lynch died of broken hearts when they learned of his death. They died within a week of one another upon receiving the telegram. Father Kenny and Father Cormac both served as division Chaplains, but for some reason, the service really "worked" for Kenny and he remained. Of late, I did some research on line and found a webpage created by one of the Spearhead division soldiers, and there were stories of Father Kenny Lynch, written by soldiers who were lucky enough to know him during the war. It's been a real blessing, for sure.
I'm attaching one of my favorite pictures of Father Kenny from later in life. He can still work a bayonet!!!
"Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile..."
The Only Living Boy in New York, Paul Simon |
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Emily Anna
True Blue Farmgirl
863 Posts
Emily
Fort Atkinson
WI
USA
863 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 08:42:13 AM
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Wow Jonni! I bet your husband was grinning ear to ear when he recieved that and it sounds like he will definitely be the perfect person to give it a good home. Family history is so interesting and you and your husband have a lot of great stories! Let me know when your book comes out! Put a copy on reserve for me! :)
Marlee, that is a great story about the baby! I'm so glad I came on this thread. I find it all very fascinating.
Emily |
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Tea Lady
True Blue Farmgirl
645 Posts
Lorraine
Morris
IL
USA
645 Posts |
Posted - Jan 20 2012 : 2:21:23 PM
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That's wonderful Jonni. So happy for your husband. It definitely has the right home and caretaker now...
I was just talking with my 93 year-old stepfather. He was in WWII and it was an incredibly tough experience for him. He was in SE Asia and his younger brother was in Germany at the same time. His younger brother was killed and he didn't find out for 2 months. He has told me about some other hardships during his time - one in particular about coming home on a Navy ship. It was Christmas day and the sea was really rough. He said they had better food than normal but so many people were sea sick that it was unbearable. So he got some food and found what he thought was a save place on deck to eat in peace. But an officer saw him and made him go back inside. He can never get through that story without his eyes tearing up. He didn't tell me a lot of stories until the last 10 years or so. I think it was too hard for him.
What an honor for your husband to have such a great keepsake of a strong, wise man. I made sure my stepfather's nephew got his brother's purple heart. These items are priceless...
Lorraine
(aka Tea Lady)
Farmgirl #1819
www.birdsandteas.com |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Jan 21 2012 : 6:39:02 PM
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Awesome picture! I had to call my husband over to see it and he says to tell you, "That's album cover material!"
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frannie
True Blue Farmgirl
2246 Posts
fran
bonham
texas
USA
2246 Posts |
Posted - Jan 23 2012 : 1:45:45 PM
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hi jonni, that is a wonderful story about jus's uncle. cant wait till country gets home so i can tell him about it. he will love it.
love
frannie in texas
farmgirl sister#807
home of "green"crafts,
where no scrap is left behind
(http://abunnystale.wordpress.com/)
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Really cool WWII relic belonging to beloved Uncle. |
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Really cool WWII relic belonging to beloved Uncle.
