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In Grateful Memory

by on ‎05-24-2016 11:50 PM

A few months ago, my cousin Steve called and said he was sending us a package.  He said it was to be given to our two sons, Nick and Josh.  Steve is the son of my late Aunt Marie, my Dad’s sister.  When the package arrived and I opened it, my jaw dropped.  Inside were two framed plaques.  At the top of each plaque was the Seal of the President.  On the left hand side of the Plaques were two medals.  They were immediately recognizable.  These medals were Purple Hearts.  The signature at the bottom was Franklin D. Roosevelt.

 

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My Father, Les Domeier, was the first of his family to join the Military.  He enlisted in the Navy and was stationed on the USS Boise.  His ship set sail from Hawaii, and escaped the bombing of Pearl Harbor by only a few days.  Suddenly he found himself in the midst of a World War.  

 

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{My Dad, Les}

 

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His parents, Joseph and Veronica, were concerned for their son’s safety.  But their concern grew much greater when, before long, the other FOUR sons were drafted, and serving in WWII.  Five of their sons were now off to war. My dad, his brothers’ Roland, Syl, Erwin and Joe were all fighting one of the greatest battles our country has ever faced.  Only their two daughters, Bernadette and Marie remained close to home.

 

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{My Grandparents}

 

From stories I’ve heard from my late father through the years, the USS Boise fought ten heroic battles, mostly in the Pacific.  

 

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{My Dad's Ship}

 

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Syl was in Italy, Roland in Africa, Erwin and Joe at various places in Europe.  They were all members of the Greatest Generation.

 

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{My Dad's brother, Syl} above and below

 

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As the parents of two sons ourselves, Amy and I worry about our oldest son driving his car at night!  It’s impossible to imagine the sleepless nights my grandparents had to endure.  But it was during the day that was even harder.  While my grandfather was at work, my grandmother  was always waiting for a man in a uniform to stop at the house, knock on the door, and give the news no parent ever wants to hear.  First, the news of Syl, killed in action in Italy.  Next, the safe return of Erwin and Joe.  Then more tragic news.  Roland was ‘missing in action’.  It would be two years before he was declared dead. According to my aunt Marie, it was almost too much for my grandparents to endure.  The only saving grace was that after serving six years, my father returned safely home.  Five sons had bravely served their Country.  Only three returned.

 

Here is the final text on the Purple Heart Plaques:

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In Memory of All Who Served,

Rick