Today as we celebrate Veteran’s Day, I remember and celebrate the life of my grandfather Frederick Houston Bray, a World War II Navy Veteran that proudly served this country by choice.
My grandfather grew up in a lower-middle class family that struggled to make ends meet. Playing baseball was his true passion and he was really good at it too. In fact, he was so good, that at the age of eighteen a Cardinals recruiter offered him a contract to play professional baseball. Ultimately, my grandfather passed up the professional baseball career so he could join the Navy and defend this country. He was told several times by the recruiter that he was crazy to make that decision and his own father didn’t understand it either. Why would an 18 year old kid with so much promise pass up such a rare and life-changing opportunity? To trade his passion to serve his country WWII and the possibility that he would never return? My grandfather didn’t see it that way though. He viewed his service to this country as nothing less than what any man would do. He never thought anything heroic about it. He served in WWII and held his best friend as he died in battle. He never once mentioned regretting his decision, he only pondered why he survived when so many died.
After his tour of duty in WWII, he returned home to Atlanta, Georgia and settled down for a simple life of marriage, children and running his own construction company. He never forgot the things he saw and the sacrifice of his fellow men. As he was laid to rest, I watched several Naval officers fold the burial flag. In that moment, I was overwhelmed with pride for the life he lived and the legacy that he would leave behind. I will never forget his courage, service and honor for this country. I am proud to be his granddaughter and only wish I could hug him once more.
Take a moment today and thank a Veteran. Remember their sacrifice and that of their families. God has blessed each one of us through their service.
My grandfather grew up in a lower-middle class family that struggled to make ends meet. Playing baseball was his true passion and he was really good at it too. In fact, he was so good, that at the age of eighteen a Cardinals recruiter offered him a contract to play professional baseball. Ultimately, my grandfather passed up the professional baseball career so he could join the Navy and defend this country. He was told several times by the recruiter that he was crazy to make that decision and his own father didn’t understand it either. Why would an 18 year old kid with so much promise pass up such a rare and life-changing opportunity? To trade his passion to serve his country WWII and the possibility that he would never return? My grandfather didn’t see it that way though. He viewed his service to this country as nothing less than what any man would do. He never thought anything heroic about it. He served in WWII and held his best friend as he died in battle. He never once mentioned regretting his decision, he only pondered why he survived when so many died.
After his tour of duty in WWII, he returned home to Atlanta, Georgia and settled down for a simple life of marriage, children and running his own construction company. He never forgot the things he saw and the sacrifice of his fellow men. As he was laid to rest, I watched several Naval officers fold the burial flag. In that moment, I was overwhelmed with pride for the life he lived and the legacy that he would leave behind. I will never forget his courage, service and honor for this country. I am proud to be his granddaughter and only wish I could hug him once more.
Take a moment today and thank a Veteran. Remember their sacrifice and that of their families. God has blessed each one of us through their service.
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