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Whenever I see this picture, it reminds me that someday I will write a book about these two. It would have to begin with an epic first sentence to set the stage for the drama that was to unfold. This is where I get stuck. Look at them. They are so in love.
My grandfather was a soldier, and my grandmother was a nurse at the height of WWII. The love affair was a true whirlwind in a historically turbulent time, and drama surrounded their story. When my grandfather died, my grandmother’s heart did too. It altered her forever, and she died decades later, having lived her life broken.
The more you read my mother’s blogs, the more you will see her chosen direction to persevere in her circumstances knowing that God is personal and sovereign in her life. Her father’s death and her sweet mother’s misery remind her once again, that she’s been practicing for “this” (ALS) her whole life.
Tricia
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We are just days away from Memorial Day; a day set aside to honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice. I want to honor a man who sacrificed his life for his family and his country.
Each day we hear stories about real heroes, people who truly make a difference in our world. My birth father was such a man, Lt. Frank Alvin Crowcroft. He wrote this letter to my mother before being sent overseas to help fight the war in the Pacific. He was a 24-year-old B-29 bomber pilot married to my mother, a registered nurse: the nurse and the pilot, all the makings of a World War II love story, and a love story it is.
This is the letter written to his family:
Saturday 17 February (1945)
My dearest family —
I just finished talking to the one person in world that means more than life itself to me. It was the hardest job I’ve ever done. I’m afraid that I was not too strong emotionally–how ever since I was talking to my wife perhaps she will forgive me.There is one fact that is helping me at this time and maybe it will help her. All flag waving aside, all the instruments in the bands muted and silent, the fact still remains that this separation is for her and ours. if I had not been given a chance to do this for them I would have been forever sorry.
I will not say that I am not some what afraid. Not afraid of the enemy but afraid of myself. Nothing the enemy can do can hurt anyone so armed with love such as ours. The main fear is of my own carelessness and, my dear, I swear that nothing that I can influence will endanger my safe and early return.
Little girl I haven’t much time so will close now. Strangely enough all I can tell you is that I love you–in that statement is my life–
Crow
Sadly, his plane was rammed by a kamikaze pilot, 2Lt Kaoru Tsujimoto, on April 7, 1945.
My mom received a telegram on May 10, 1945, telling her my dad was missing in action. It wasn’t until months later she received the final notification of his death. I was six weeks old when my dad was killed. He was a true hero and a true patriot. Thank you, Dad.
–Susan
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