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Going home

7:31 am May 31, 2010, by jgalloway

Dad, now 86, left high school early for the U.S. Army, five months before Pearl Harbor.

Though none of them were born in this country, four of the seven Galloway brothers would scatter themselves across the globe during World War II. Dad, an Air Corps mechanic, was the only one to carry a sketchbook.

The cartoonist Bill Mauldin was something of a hero. Lined notebook paper would do in a pinch. Above is a rescued drawing from Dad’s return trip in ‘45. That mountainous lump in the background is the Rock of Gibraltar.

In the upper right hand corner are traces of a laundry list written on the other side — a brief catalog of one young warrior’s requirements for conquering the world: Four undershirts, four shorts, two handkerchiefs, two dress shirts, four pairs of socks, and two coveralls.

Have a thoughtful Memorial Day.

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13 comments Add your comment

Melita Easters

May 31st, 2010
8:32 am

Jim,
Thanks for sharing. How lovely to wake up to a post reminiscent of the greatest generation even while our own children are engaged in the battle of our time. That sketchbook must be a treasured family keepsake. Best wishes!

Morrus

May 31st, 2010
8:38 am

Curiously, in a supposed anti-incumbent year, most of the departing are not retiring but seeking higher office. We may recycle more than we replace. The bad news is that a frustrating 114 seats still have but one contestant. Two of them aren’t even incumbents, meaning they will affect state policy without being vetted by voters. And I have to think that we’d be better off if many had run instead for the Legislature — and cut down on the number running unopposed. Georgia’s problems are numerous. They aren’t going away. There’s too much stale thinking at the Capitol, on both sides of the aisle. New voices would be welcome.

Road Scholar

May 31st, 2010
8:39 am

Thanks, Jim. Wouldn’t it be wonderful while we remember their sacrifice, that we commit ourselves and our businesses to a higher ethical standard, with manners and respect for others, like they had?

Thanks

May 31st, 2010
9:11 am

From a member of what will be remembered as “the worst generation”… thanks to all of “the greatest generation! This is a good day to remember how good we had it before squandering everything to leave nothing but a huge debt for the generations to come.

Burroughston Broch

May 31st, 2010
10:16 am

Jim, I seldom see eye to eye with you, but on this subject you are spot on. My Dad will be 89 soon and is an alumnus of the greatest generation. Thanks!

Dave Barbee

May 31st, 2010
11:24 am

Jim, thank you for sharing this! Happy Memorial Day my friend.

shirley

May 31st, 2010
1:38 pm

Jim,
Like others I appreciate your sharing and reminding us of the trememdous sacrifices others have made for our freedom and liberty. Give your dad a hug from me too.

Robert M. Williams, Jr.

May 31st, 2010
1:40 pm

Jim,
Thanks for a poignant reminder of the human side of military conflict and the debt we owe so many.
Keep up the good work.
Robert

TisP'doff

May 31st, 2010
2:34 pm

Jim,

Thanks to men like your father and my father, our president can show our military blatant disrespect, by not showing up for Memorial Day services at Arlington National Cemetary. Even though our president doesn’t think they are worth recognition, I do.

This is Mrs.Norman Maine

May 31st, 2010
4:17 pm

Jim, thanks for sharing.

Amy Morton

May 31st, 2010
6:15 pm

What an amazing drawing. Thank you for sharing this treasure.

Reason has left the building.

May 31st, 2010
8:51 pm

Tis,

Thanks for poisoning a day of togetherness with your partisan garbage.

By the way, Reagan, Bush I and Bush II all missed Memorial Day celebrations to celebrate in their home towns.

Phyllis Bearden

June 1st, 2010
9:50 am

Thanks for sharing. I’ve lost all my uncles who served in WWII, and now my beloved father-in-law, who served in Vietnam as an Army Major, has succumbed to dementia. My heart is heavy on Memorial Day, but some how this sketch makes it worth it.