Veterans Day Special Tribute – Double Duty RTT Rebel and WW

Since today is Veterans Day and the kids are off school and the hubby off work, I’m going to do something a little different for Random Tuesday Thoughts – I’m going to do double duty and do this post for both RTT and WW – because I can. And also because I’m going to be inundated with interruptions galore, so this makes it easier for all concerned.

And also? I’ve fallen way behind, so this enables me to do some catch up. Maybe. Hopefully. I’m actually doing to be doing triple duty, because I’m recycling this post from five years ago. Sheesh! I totally forgot about my blogiversary this year – 6 years so far! Guess I better plan something major for my birthday next month since I like to have a cool giveaway for either celebration. Stay tuned for that!

And now, back to our irregularly scheduled program…

This is a picture of my Grandpa Swenson – it was taken on August 24, 1943.  He served in the Army during WWII, and on September 21, 1944 he lost his comrades and his legs from just below the knee during an attack while in Germany.

He was 22 years old at the time he lost his legs.  My uncle was 3 years old, my dad was 6 months old.  My favorite uncle  was born a few years after he came home from the war, and my aunt followed a couple of years later.

As a child, I was always fascinated by his wooden legs.  He became quite adept at getting around with the help of a polished wooden cane, and always wore his favorite fedora hat when he went out.

Even as technology improved over time, he refused to give up what was ‘familiar’ to him, and continued to use his wooden prosthetics, though you could tell some days they were very uncomfortable.

He always answered our curious questions without hesitation, and I have wonderful memories of sitting with him in his kitchen as he relayed various stories of his life.  In spite of the inconvenience, nothing slowed my Grandpa down.

He was the kindest, sweetest most caring and loving person I have ever known.  He lived a full, active life until he died from complications of pneumonia when he was 75.  He is greatly missed.

That’s a wrap for this week – you know the drill, link up and join in the fun, everyone is welcome. And be sure to hug a Vet today!

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Keeping the random alive (barely) – feel free to snag a badge and play along – one for my wino friends:

<div align="center"><a href="http://stacyuncorked.com" title="Stacy Uncorked" target="_blank"><img src="http://stacysrandomthoughts.com/Files/randomtuesday.jpg" alt="Stacy Uncorked" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

And one for my non-wino friends:

<div align="center"><a href="http://stacyuncorked.com" title="Stacy Uncorked" target="_blank"><img src="http://stacysrandomthoughts.com/Files/randomtuesday2.jpg" alt="Stacy Uncorked" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Wordless or Wordful – Looky! I made a button if you feel like snagging it and displaying it proudly:

Looky! I made a button if you feel like snagging it and displaying it proudly:

<div align="center"><a href="http://stacyuncorked.com" title="Stacy Uncorked" target="_blank"><img src="http://stacysrandomthoughts.com/Files/UncorkedWWButton.jpg" alt="Stacy Uncorked" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

For Wordless Wednesday, be sure to visit Wordless Wednesday, and Go Graham Go for more great Wordless Wednesday Posts.