As Veterans Day approaches, my thoughts turn to our military personnel, both past and present. Growing up in Maine in the 1950s and 60s I developed a strong sense of patriotism.
My most memorable “military moment” was when my beloved brother-in-law, Maurice Hall allowed me the honor and privilege of wearing his Air Force helmet. I am amazed at the sense of pride he was able to instill in me, a 3-year-old, for our Air Force and our country. It is with wonder and appreciation that I recall that moment in the afternoon sunshine putting that helmet onto my head. I remember feeling awe that the men who wore these helmets did scary things to make us all safe! Of course I did not know the word “nation” at the time, but I remember quite clearly a sense of belonging to something larger and greater.
Somehow he made me understand safety and freedom, and how our military men and women were responsible for it. I do not recall the words he used.
Maurice himself has passed away, but the lessons he taught me live within me still. I get misty-eyed on Memorial Day for our fallen men and women. I proudly salute the flag as it passes before me on any occasion, and I say our pledge of allegiance as a true and grateful pledge each time. I could ask for no greater legacy from Maurice.
Finding relatives who served in past American conflicts may affirm your own patriotism. Those who serve a cause greater than themselves always deserve whatever recognition we can offer. Most families, upon research, find some relative who has served. There are records existing at least as far back as the 1600s Colonial/Indian “King Phillip’s War”. There are membership organizations for descendants of most of our wars, such as DAR – Daughters of the American Revolution; and SUVCW — Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. There is a good chance that someone, somewhere has formed a group for descendants or others interested in a particular conflict.
Our Wassebec Genealogy group has members who have been re-enactors of the Revolutionary War on both sides of the conflict, as well as Civil War reenactors. (2011 is the 150th anniversary of the Civil War so I know they will be very busy next year.)
If you already know how and when your military man or woman served, you can send to NARA (the National Records and Archives for the United States) to get copies of their military file. Online, http://www.archives.gov/ will bring you to the NARA home page with links to all of the fabulous resources housed at NARA, much more than just military records. Or you can write for the application (Standard Form 180) to: National Personnel Records Center, 9700 Page Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63132. They will send the application for you to fill out and return (with a check) to request the records.
In my next column I will give more detail about accessing records available through the National Archives.
Editor’s note: Nina G. Brawn has lived in the Dover-Foxcroft area for over 50 years and currently lives there with her husband Fred. Nina was the last of 10 children, has three children of her own and eight grandchildren. She can be reached online at ninagbrawn@gmail.com.
