I have memories dancing through my mind like movies on the big screen. My Uncle Bill was vitale in my life in my growing up years in Iron County. As we sat by his bedside on Monday with him, the memories were amazing. The one that stands out for me is this past 4th of July. It was a day myself, my children and Grandchildren will always treasure.

We picked up Uncle Bill early that morning to attend the parade in Iron Mountain. There was to be a fly over of WW2 Training planes. One in particular had been the plane that he had trained in before going over to England. We wanted the best seats in front of the VA Hospital. Uncle told stories I had never heard growing up because back then he never shared his stories. He explained to my children and grandchildren all his learning experiences in the training phase and then what happened during some of his missions when his Buddies weren't as lucky as He was. The fly over for us meant so much more than others sitting around us. We all jumped to our feet to honor the fly by.

The parade went much longer than we planned. We took Uncle to do some shoping afterward and got something to eat. He was exhausted by the time we got him back to Golden living. He just wanted his bed.

Why was that day so special? He told us more about his service in those hours than I had ever heard. It was then that I realized my Uncle was one of the true American Heros! He flew 77 missions from which almost all of his buddies never returned! He never spoke of himself as a hero, but he was! It further explained to me some of his not so pleasent personality traits. In those days our Men and Women never spoke of their experiences. The attitude was suck it up! Thus, many, just as my Uncle used alcohol to try to bury the images and atrocities they were a part of. I had my AHA moment in those hours that gave me an understanding and a new love for my Uncle Bill.

My children and grandchildren got to know him that day. We shared pain, but we shared laughter and wisdom in those hours and to say I am grateful is an understatement. We owe a debt to our rapidly passing WW2 Vets that can never be completely understood, not can we ever properly say , "Thank you."

God speed Uncle Bill. You are truly flying now without peril! I love you and will miss you terribly.