A Veteran's Day to Remember

Knowing how much Jocie loves to write, I wasn't surprised when when she wanted to do a optional Veteran's Day essay. She knew right way who she wanted to do her write-up on; her Great-Grandpa Dale Youngern (my maternal Grandfather). So she started her research by talking directly to the source. She got her trusty notebook and pencil out and jotted down a few questions before she called Grandpa Dale. I think she might have been a little nervous on the phone because she wasn't real sure on her answers...so she called her Grandpa Mike (AKA Boppa). He cleared up a few things, and then she got down to writing. This is what she wrote....

The veteran I did research on is my great-grandfather, Dale Youngern. Grandpa Dale was a Darby's Ranger and served in the Army from 1943-1945. The Darby's Rangers were an elite group of soldiers that went into enemy territories first. They were said to be "the tip of the sword" because they were such talented soldiers. When he served in World War II, he fought in Africa, Italy, France and Germany.

Grandpa Dale said that he enlisted in the Army because it was the right thing to do and they were short of men.

The Darby's rangers landed in Anzio, Italy and fought the Germans fir four months. They were such outstanding fighters that they pushed the Nazis right out of Rome! After their outstanding battle they got to meet Pope Pius XII.

Grandpa Dale served our country for 3 year, 3 months, and 3 days, and earned the rank of Corporal and was decorated with 5 bronze stars and a Good Conduct Ribbon.

Grandpa Dale's proudest moment in the war was when the war was over and he got to go home to his beautiful wife Florence.

I'm so proud of Grandpa Dale because he had so much courage and pride in his country. I want to be just like him!

Jocie's essay was so good, that it was chosen (only 2 essays were chosen out of all) to be read out loud at the Veteran's Day Program at Jocie's school. Grandpa Dale was so moved by Joice's essay that he just had to be in attendance to witness his great-granddaughter's first public speaking experience. So, my mom got the day off from work and she and Denny drove him down from Grand Forks! We were so happy he could make it to this special occasion. It wouldn't have been the same without him there!!Jocie and Grandpa Dale enjoying dinner and some cake at our house the night before the program

Presentation of the Colors began the program

This is dark...but here is Jocie at the mic reading her essay

The Proud Grandpa...and the proud granddaughters :)

After the program, and fellow serviceman gave this metal of honor to grandpa after hearing about his fight during WWII....WOW!

Grandpa Dale then visited Jocie's Classroom and showed off the Nazi helmet he has had since the war! The boys in her class were very, very impressed

We will always look back on this day with a lot of pride in Jocie, for being such a great writer/daughter/great-granddaughter - pride in Grandpa Dale for being such a great soldier/Grandpa - and all the other Vets that have served our country so well!