Serving Our Country

My husband's grandmother had three sons who fought in World War II. 

Johanna Hudson Franckevitch (1888-1958) was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England and emigrated to British Columbia where she married Casimir Franckevitch on 14 Oct 1911. The family moved to Seattle where they raised four daughters and four sons.

In 2006 we went to Seattle for a "cousin reunion" and I came home with a large envelope of family memorabilia. This World War II window flag belonged to Johanna. One star for each family member serving our country.

The eldest son, Kas (1912-1980) enlisted on 16 Jun 1942. 

Johanna with Joe taken June 6, 1943. Joe's plane was shot down northwest of Kobe, Japan in 1945. You can read his story on last year's blog here. Make sure you scroll down to the bottom of that post and read the moving comment left by his granddaughter, Kerrigan.  

Pete enlisted 7 July 1943 shortly after he graduated from high school. According to his obituary ". . . he trained as a heavy machine gunner and was qualified as an expert and combat infantryman marksman. He served in the Eastern Mandates in the Southern Philippines, Luzon and Ryukyus. . . he earned a Bronze Star, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, the Victory Medal and a Good Conduct Medal."  

His final resting place is Tahoma National Cemetery, Kent, WA. 

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One of the things I love about our town is Memorial Park with its war memorials.

 The men of Livingston Township 

who volunteered in the service

of their country 

in the Civil War 

1861-1865

In honor of the former pupils of the 

Livingston Township public schools

who served their country in

*The World War 1917-1918*

May their names be held in

lasting reverence. 

In memory of 

those who made the supreme

sacrifice in the defense of

their country. 

World War II

1941-1945 

To those who served our country in time of war. 

They gave their today for our tomorrow.  

(L) Korea

In memory of 54,236 fallen Americans

and to those still missing in action

where sacrifice and courage were common virtues. 

Dedicated Memorial Day 1987

(R) Vietnam

In memory of those who died 

In honor of those who served

We Remember

Dedicated Memorial Day 1987

(L) Combat Wounded Veterans

Military Order of the Purple Heart

1782  1932

(R) "The road to freedom

is often paved with blood"

The Purple Heart medal 

is bestowed upon those

brave men and women 

who shed their blood

for our country.

This monument is dedicated

to the memory of the

Purple Heart recipients 

who shed their blood

or gave their lives

so that freedom and

liberty may prevail.

In memory of those Livingston veterans

who have earned their Purple Heart. 

The Homecoming

This light will shine until that time
when all our servicemen and women
are safe at home and peace reigns
throughout the world.

Livingston Cares
November 11, 2007

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Copyright 2015, Barbara Schaffer