Originally published 2017
While putzin’ around looking for images to put in a post commemorating Memorial Day, it occurred to me I should mention some of the people in my personal life who’ve made a huge difference, and contributed to who I am today.
I had never stopped to count the number of men in my life who had served in the military, and each time I thought of someone, another person would come to mind. I’m certain I’m not the only one who can say this, and that’s what makes our country so awesome! Think of all those you personally know that’ve contributed to the freedom we now enjoy!
I’m either related to, or have been good friends with, all but three of the people on my list. The honorable men listed here wouldn’t dream of calling themselves heroes, and I’m sure they’d blush with embarrassment at the thought of such a thing. However, their names need to be known, and given their proper honor for what they’ve given to us!
I’m very honored to introduce you to the following gentlemen –
1.Byron Willoughby. He was my grandmother’s brother, and served in Germany during WW2, He took clandestine pictures of the concentration camps confirming to the US of Hitler’s atrocities.
2.Charles Montgomery is Melissa’s father who honorably served in Nam despite the tumultuous controversies stateside.
3.Claude Sullivan Jr. During WW2 he was a B-17 pilot and flew 35 missions. After the war he went back to school to earn his bachelor’s in Broadcast Journalism. Because he retained his commission, they recalled him into service for the Korean War, and subsequently, Viet Nam as well. After serving a total of 27 years, he retired and answered God’s call to the ministry, graduating with a Master’s of Divinity in 1978.
He was very instrumental in leading me to the Lord. He counseled me after the death of our daughter Mallory, and blessed our our daughter Jacquelyn when she was born.
4.Larry Grim – my father-in-law. He served for four years in the Navy aboard the USS Enterprise during the Korean War. Implementing lessons learned from his own father, he became the best grandfather you’d ever know. After the war he worked for GTE in California, and became the General Construction Mgr for all of California.
5.Raymond Willoughby. He was another brother of my grandmother. He served in the African Theatre during WW2. He was a quiet, unassuming man who never spoke of his war experiences at all. He died in 2002.
6.Robert (Bob) Boardman. He served 2 tours in Okinawa during WW2. After having 3 fingers of his hand shot off, they sent him back. On the day of his return to the war zone, a sniper shot him, and he summarily lost his voice box.
Bob became a Chaplain for the Marines, wrote numerous books, and served 32 years as a missionary for the Navigators in Okinawa. He was convinced he wouldn’t have made a good Mormon because he couldn’t perform the ‘secret handshake’ with his missing fingers. He was obviously quite the character! He died in 2008 from throat cancer as a result of his war injuries.
7.Ronald Laurence Wake was my step-grandfather. He served 34 years in the Army. Twenty-five were served in the Special Forces. He served 3 tours in Nam, 1 in Laos, and 1 in Cambodia. I was 4-5 yrs old when he married my grandmother, and he became my ‘go-to-guy’ for advice. He’s the reason I married into the military.
My respect for him soared to new heights when some random stranger spat in his face as we were walking out of a convenience store in Ogden, Utah. They told him that’s what he deserved for serving in Nam. The uniform he wore made him an easy target, but it never stopped him from wearing it in public. He became an expert carpenter, and worked at a local lumber company in Ogden, Utah after the war.
8.Wilford Miller. Wilford was married to my grandmother’s sister, June. I never met him, but there were pictures of him hanging up all over her home even after she remarried. He died in the famous ‘Battle of the Bulge’ while serving in Germany during WW2. Those pictures moved me into pursuing a degree in History of World Wars.
9.William Keel was my grandmother’s first husband, my mother’s dad. He served as a Merchant Marine in the Pacific Theatre. Most of his wartime service was spent in the Martial Islands, Sai Pan, Truk, and the Philippines. My mother was born while he was at sea. He was a huge guy. When my husband Kirk met, and shook hands, he said it felt like his hand had disappeared. He was 6’4″ tall, and for the last 25 yrs of his life he weighed well north of 300 lbs.
My grandparents were polar opposites. He was huge, and my grandmother was 4’11” on a good day wearing heels. After the war he worked at Geneva Steel, and farmed on weekends.
10.William (Uncle Bill) Warner was my mother-in-law’s uncle. He served in numerous units (mainly in Africa) during WW1. He lived and worked in Florida after the war and spent a lot of time ocean fishing with Kirk and the rest of the family in the ’60’s.
What a great legacy!
I’ve been VERY blessed by either knowing them, or knowing about each of them.
I’ll always have an abundance of gratitude for what they’ve done.
My husband, Kirk, not mentioned in the article for obvious reasons, retired from the Air Force after 23 yrs. We’re obviously a military family – but more importantly, a Christian military family. 🙂
My 4th great-grandfather on my father’s side fought in the Revolution, first in the Army, then in the Navy, and then back to the Army.
My paternal great-great-grandfather was commanding officer of Company F, 113th Ohio Volunteer infantry after being sent home to recruit following numerous battles which wiped out most of his unit. He then marched with Sherman. Four years after the war he died of a ruptured appendix.
My paternal great-grandfather never was in the military and was too old by the time of WWI. My grandfather died in 1939 when my dad was nine, and was too old for the draft in 1917. Sadly, my dad was anti-military and dodged the draft during the Korean War. But I joined up in June 1970 and served until the end of February 1975!
My maternal grandfather was exempted from military service in WWII because he was working at International Harvester, who by that time were making half-tracks so he was considered essential to the war effort.
I know there were military people, uncles, cousins, etc on both paternal and material sides, but don’t know anything about them.
Wow Michelle, my hero is my step-dad, he served 2 tours in the navy. Not just during the Vietnam war, but in Vietnam. After he came home in 1969 he started working for GTE, ( now Verizon), in southern California. He retired after 40 +.years. small world.
With mad respect, Melissa
If your step-dad is still around, tell him we said thank you for his service! It’s always a blessing whenever we meet another military person. I feel more ‘at home’ on a military base than not. It’s like 2 different worlds. Ha!
And it is indeed a small world isn’t it? My father in law started at GTE by installing telephone poles of all things somewhere around Downey, CA. 🙂 My husband, Kirk, is originally from Long Beach.
I’m from Long Beach, and so is my dad. I now reside in Norwalk which border Long Beach and Downey. Next time I talk to my dad I will ask him if
he remembers Larry Grim back in the day. They say there is 6 degrees of separation. Small world indeed.😀
Glenn!!
I didn’t know you’re a vet! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Your family history is a blessing as well from the sounds of it. I can understand and do respect the choices of others when it comes to serving, such as your father. I have an uncle who despised being drafted during the Korean War, and has made it clear he doesn’t approve.It’s all part of having the freedom we enjoy even when we don’t agree.
One of our great helpers here at LAM had parents who served in the Navy during WW2 (Sue), and I think of her and them many times whenever military discussions come up.
God bless and thanks for your service my friend!
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Actually it was while I was in the Army, during combat engineer training in 1970 , that I became a Mormon. It was also in the Army in January 1974 that I became a Christian! And I was in the Army when I took leave the end of July 1974, 7 months before getting out, that I met my future wife! This year we celebrate our 42nd Anniversary.
You may find my history in and out of Mormonism to be interesting:
http://watchmanvlds.blogspot.com/2015/10/my-history-in-and-out-of-lds.html