band of brothers
I spent hours today reading through the war journal of a Marine in World War II.
But not just any Marine… One nicknamed Swede, who served with my Grandpa.
Swede’s health is failing, and his family has been racing the clock to type up his old journals, compile his stories from the War, and track down the families of the men who served with him (who were named in his journals).
Grandpa and Swede’s Marine company fought in the Battle of Peleliu, which had the highest casualty rate of any battle in the War. The fact that they both survived, along with Swede’s handwritten accounts, is astounding. Reading through the journal felt like I was watching Band of Brothers. It was filled with fun memories of poker nights and basketball games, as well as horrific tragedies of wounded warriors…
My Grandpa, who passed away when I was 3 years old, rarely spoke of his experiences as a Marine, besides a few lighthearted stories about his buddies. So reading through these journals has made my Grandpa come alive to me in a whole new way. What a priceless gift!
There were a few pictures that included my Grandpa, and all I could do was stare long and hard at his face… into his eyes. Because in his face I see my Dad and my brothers. The resemblances are haunting in the best possible way.
Carmine Ronzino is pictured on the bottom left
In an email Swede’s daughter sent my brother, she said that her dad “said Carmine talked a lot about his family”. That made me smile so big, inside and out. That short sentence says so much about who Grandpa was, and the legacy he passed on to all of us.
I am so very proud to be a Ronzino.
Tell us something about your family
and legacy…
Both of my grandfathers worked at GM for like 30 years and retired from there. One as a mechanic, the other as an accountant. Both served in the army during WW2, though I do not know much about that. I do know my grandfather who was an accountant at GM was never sent overseas to do battle. He says they kept measuring him differently, so they kept sending him around measuring him, and he never was sent. Kind of funny. Both of my grandfathers are gone now. I wish I knew more about my family and legacy. I really don’t though.
@christielici0us says:
I swear I think I can see you in that face! :)
Wonderful post, Alece! Thank you for sharing a little piece of your family!
@amykiane says:
What an amazing gift to be able to read those journals. I don’t have much about my families. A lot of things are best left forgotten maybe. But I do have such wonderful memories of my dad’s dad. He died when I was 10, but he gave me my gift of music. Sitting beside him at his old piano playing. When he died my dad was given his violin which I now have. I look at it and think of who gave me my love of music.
@me_b says:
My Opa (grandfather on my mom’s side) served in the Dutch military during WW2. He wrote about his experiences and our family history in a book to the children and then later to the grandchildren – had them bound and inscribed to each of us. It is something I treasure.
He was a prisoner of war, held captive by the Japanese, as were my Oma, my mom & an aunt. The fact that he took the time to type out this family history, including the bad parts as well, is a gift that I can never say thank you enough for. He passed away in 1993, just shortly after completing the book for the grandchildren. I still miss him and my Oma (she passed away in 1998) to this day.
@traceepersiko says:
I love this pic buzz!! I can see your dad in there for sure!
would love to watch band of brothers with you!
This reminded me alot of the book I recently read called Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. It was an amazing WW II biography that has a great spiritual impact also. If you’re interested in reading it, I highly recommend it and you can find more info. here: http://www.amazon.com/Unbroken-World-Survival-Resilience-Redemption/dp/1400064163/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1309740034&sr=1-1
My dad served in WW II for several years, but was not involved in a combat role (North Africa, England, and Guam). Most of his stories are about friends who had more exciting accounts. Nick (my hubby) loves to watch war movies, but most of the time it’s just too graphic for me. That book was almost more than I could handle at times, but the ‘pain’ was worth it in the end to have a better understanding of ‘where he arrived’ because of ‘where he had been’. That sort of sounds like a ‘life principle’ too !?
Prayers & Blessings for ‘where you are’ as you journey to ‘where you will be’,
Dana
Well said! I am also proud! I think this has been a great opportunity to get to know our grandfather better.
My great-great-grandfather survived the Irish potato famine.
My grandfather survived WWI. He also brought his family through the Great Depression of the 1930′s.
My father, and his four brothers all served in, and survived in WWII.
My mother survived a childhood illness which left her with an enlarged heart. Not expected to love past her teen years, and never be able to have children, she lived to 36, and gave me and my sister life. My father worked seven days a week to pay the medical bills.
My families legacy is one of survival and perseverance. The family trait of stubbornness is something I have in spades.
@SimplySplendid says:
That’s so amazing!
@hopefulleigh says:
That is such a cool story! I’m glad that Swede’s family is reaching out to the family of the men he served with.
My extended family, on both sides, is as German Catholic as they come. My maternal grandparents are farmers but the bigger legacy is the importance of family and faith. Our annual family reunion was just a couple of weeks ago and this year we had over 200 people! We are blessed to love and appreciate each other. No one would ever think to miss the reunion and so it continues to grow as the second and third cousins have babes of their own.
One part of my family legacy that I’m really blesse by and proud of is that, dating back to the Hugenots, someone in my family has served in ministry as their life’s work in every generation, extending to the generation of my children. My grandparents were ministers, my father was a pastor/missionary/church planter, my husband is a pastor, and my daughter plans to serve as a missionary nurse.
My parents both lived very difficult lives. And after they became Christ-followers, I watched them make the hard choices to do the right thing, to follow in obedience despite the cost, over and over again. My mom has written a book about some of their story. (Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge by Anita Onarecker Wood. Available at lifeway.com, barnesandnoble.com, or amazon.com)
Another thing that I am really proud of is that my mom was interviewed about her and my dad’s involvement in Don Piper’s story (90 Minutes in Heaven – my dad was the pastor who prayed for his life to be restored) on ABC’s Nightline Primetime: Beyond Belief. Their episode will air on Wed., July 27, 10pm eastern time. Check it out. (And please excuse my shameless promotion of my family! I’m just so proud and excited to see what God will do with this!)
Wow. That is amazing. My family legacy includes a great great grandpa coming over hiding on a ship in a pickle barrel.
it’s a little less romantic. :)
mmm… I love this post. Love the history. And I think you look like him too. I totally see it.