My grandfathers both served in WWII. My maternal uncles and cousins, my father-in-law and his brother, all served. I honor their service. And I honor my grandfather who did everything he could to keep his sons from serving. Maybe it's selfish, but I can't help but wish we all valued life more.

Grandpa helped my dad pay for college. He helped him get a job teaching afterward so he could get a deferment. He did the same for his two younger sons.

Grandpa refused to talk about it, until my dad was heading to college, in the late 60s, and wanted to take an ROTC scholarship. His father told him NO. He said the only thing that got him through war was the belief that his sons would never have to experience it.

My dad told me about a time in his childhood when his dad's unit had a reunion. They told stories about the captain shot in the head while standing next to my grandpa, or battlefield promotions when the unit was decimated while storming the beaches.

My grandfather was a Marine. He served in the South Pacific in WWII. Iwo Jima. Guadalcanal. He never talked about it, although I know he suffered health problems for the rest of his life.

I’m not sure I got that story very early from school, but my dad was a huge history buff and clearly-eyed optimist.

It really is a hidden gem

Having grown up in Michigan in the 70/80s, it never occurred to me that people thought it was an older song, but that makes sense. We learned the song in elementary school.

I've worked a good 20 hours this weekend, and I'm going to be up late trying to fix what got lost.

This was after a long week, too. OTOH I now have proof that basic Python skills and a helpful 15yo get the job done with a lot less aggravation than Power Apps. 🤣

This is not an unpopular position in anthropology at least. 💯 agree.