Posted on 09/06/2013 3:13:26 PM PDT by P.O.E.
Tribute to my Uncle Ed:
My Uncle Ed passed away today, after being in hospice for the last few months, at the age of 96. I wish I had more of the details, but this is what I can recollect on short notice.
Uncle Ed was the eldest of 9 children, born to Polish immigrants. Grandpop was a coal miner and steel worker, and Grandmom grew the food, raised the kids, and made the meals. As a youth during the Depression, Uncle Ed got a job at the local supermarket, and thus was able to bring home the occasional packet of sugar, or a chicken for Sunday dinner. He helped raise all his brothers and sisters.
When WWII broke out, he enlisted in the Army. He never talked about the war, but after some questions he told us the following. These are not exact quotes, but are based on what I remember of that conversation. He was stationed somewhere in Texas, but he and his buddies requested to go into battle, where they could “see some action”. He was deployed to a lookout post on one of the Aleutian Islands, where they huddled around a kerosene stove to keep warm. He was then deployed to the European Theater, where he eventually took part in the Battle of the Bulge.
“Patton was all blood and guts, and kept us moving through the snow and the mud. The guy behind me and the guy in front of me were killed by snipers: at this point I knew God was on our side.” He got severe frostbite in his feet and was sent first to England to recuperate, then to the Greenbriar Hotel (in Virginia), which had been converted to a military hospital. As you may know, Greenbriar is where the US Government later built a then-secret underground bunker for the President and key members of Congress in case of nuclear attack.
It was there he met my Aunt Ceil, who was working in the canteen. When he was released, he got a job fixing cars, and after work would walk 4 miles through the mountains to court her. To make extra money, he would work the tow truck at night to pull cars that had plunged off the mountain roads out of the ravines. He would work at the shop on his own time to fix cars for free of folks he knew couldn’t afford it. He got a job in a local chemical factory, later becoming a consultant as the company built new plants around the country and the world.
He was always a respected member of the community, whether umpiring little league games, or helping his neighbors. His daughter became a school teacher, and his granddaughter is now a resident neurosurgeon (her husband is a doctor, too). He has one great-grandson.
We didn’t visit them often enough, it was an 8-hour drive (they lived out in the boonies and air travel would have taken just as long). One visit particularly sticks in my mind as an example of the kind of people they were. My cousin lived in West Virginia, my uncle & aunt in Virginia. When her daughter wanted to go to William & Mary, she would have to pay out-of-state rates. In my so-called “modern” way of thinking, I suggested they should just claim my uncle’s house as her residence to save money. They paused for a half-second, then went on with other conversation. It took me a few days, but suddenly I realized what that meant. Because doing so would be lying. They were too nice to tell me so or even let it be known that they thought so for even an instant. That was the depth and strength of their morals and Christianity. It was an experience that has since helped inform me on what’s right and wrong.
In his last days, Uncle Ed was in hospice as a result of a fall in the garden. Almost every nurse and doctor knew him personally, whether as coach, friend, neighbor, or help in times of trouble. If he had run for mayor (which he was too humble to do), he probably would have won in a landslide. He was a tough old bird, and hung in there despite being on an increasing series of painkillers. His main concern was who was going to take care of Aunt Ceil, who is very frail and has severe Alzheimer’s.
In summary, Uncle Ed and his family were the kind of people that made America great. They were models of (and help instill in me) virtues of hard work, family, service to our country and community.
We will miss him. The world may not see the likes of people like him, for whom we should all be grateful for the legacy they left for us.
God Bless You Uncle Ed, and may He receive you with open arms as you return home.
Prayers up, sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss. May God keep your uncle in his hands forever.
What a blessing to have had him as an uncle and as an example. May the Perpetual Light shine upon him and also keep your Aunt Ceil from harm.
YOU HAVE MY CONDOLENCES AND MY PRAYERS. THIS IS A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO YOUR UNCLE AND G-D BLESS YOU FOR IT. HOLD ON TO THE MEMORIES AS TIGHTLY AS YOU CAN.
My condolences there and prayers to you and the rest of the family. I know how difficult it is right now but reassure that your Uncle is now in the arms of the Lord and I know many of you will see him again. I know it is the flesh we struggle with ( we can not hug, kiss, or chat with) but just remember your uncle simply changed residency from a Temporary Earthly Life to an ENTERNAL LIFE. God Bless You
Thank you for your kind words and prayers.
Very well done. You did your Uncle Ed proud.
Prayers for Uncle Ed and family.
Thank you for the beautiful story of your uncle. Prayers for his family and friends.
My prayers are with you, your family and friends. May GOD ease your pain and embrace your uncle.
LLS
As Reagan asked at Point du Hoc, "Where do they get these men?"
Condolences to you and your family on your loss. May he rest in peace.
Very nice tribute, P.O.E, and it’s a blessing to read how an honorable man’s Christ-like character touched the lives of his family and friends and made a difference in this world. He is at home now, his spirit at rest with His Savior and God. May you all be filled with His peace in knowing that.
You did fine...Bet he got a pat on the back as he went through The Pearly Gates. Pryers to all!!!!!!!
WOW! Condolences to you, Aunt Ceil, and the remainder of Uncle Ed’s family and friends.
R.I.P. Uncle Ed. Thank you, sir.
Thank you all for your kind thoughts.
Rest in peace.
Sorry for your loss.
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