A Memorial Day reflection...

Jillian usually does the posting, but I wanted to add this, so you get to hear from me this time. As you all know, we spent the past week in Minnesota visiting family and friends. While, the entire trip was amazing and fun, we did have a serious moment on Thursday in preparation for Memorial Day. Just down the road from Mike & Emily's house is Fort Snelling National Cemetery. As it should, it very much resembles Washington National, and is a very beautiful but a very sad and humbling place. The kids, Curtis and Anna however looked it as an endless oppurtunity to play hide and seek. The smiles on their faces was refreshing.

What many don't know is our son, Curtis Cole Counts has a name that is very important to us. Allow me to explain in my typical long-winded manner.

See, both of my grandfathers served in World War II, and both were heroes in my book. Fortunately, I got to know both of them and got the opportunity to look up to both of them.

My maternal grandfather, Bryan Curtis (TEC 4, US Army) and much of my mom's side of the family lived in the midwest, mostly Minnesota, while I was growing up. I saw him on occasion, but only have great memories of how much he made me laugh for hours on end while we sat on the couch and he told me corny jokes. I didn't know much about his life except what my mom and grandma have told me. Before he passed away, he recorded an account of much of his life and planned on doing so for the his children (7) as well. He only finished his before he passed away. My grandma gave me a copy of the tape while we were there this week. I look forward to listening to him tell the stories again. He passed away in 1997 while I was at the Boy Scout National Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Our son's first name, Curtis, is his namesake. Little known fact, my mom followed in his footsteps a bit, and she served in the US Army for a couple of years, and it was her time in the Army that lead her to Houston to meet my dad.

Then there's Papa, my paternal grandfather, George H. Counts (Lt. Col., US Air Force, Ret), who lived in Pearland while I was growing up. I saw him on a regular basis and learned a lot about him and what his life and the war were like. He really was one of my heroes growing up. He was highly decorated in WWII with numerous air medals, distinguished flying crosses, and a couple of purple hearts. I miss him dearly. He passed away when I was in college. My dad, Daryl Cole, followed in his footsteps and served in the US Army, and I took a stab at it in college for a couple of years in USAF ROTC but was medically DQ'd and honorably discharged. Curtis shares mine and my dad's middle name, Cole.

And to all of those who have served our country, and those who have friends and loved ones who have lost their lives doing so, let us honor them. Those who have died have not died in vain. You have served a greater cause than yourself and paid the ultimate price. May you rest in peace in heaven with our Savior who paid the ultimate price for us.

--Jacob