The Loss of Another One from the Greatest Generation

Today Michael and the older boys went to the funeral of another one of our World War II veterans.  It is so hard to think we are losing these great men and women in large numbers in these last few months. Today we felt a little more connection...as he sat in front of us each Sunday in church.  I think it is most difficult to know that a man we saw weekly over the last five years....now gone...was never really known by our family.  Once again the stories were not told and we missed an opportunity to learn history from the source.

James Posky...husband...father....family member...and friend.  Unlike the last funeral we attended, James was well-known by many and his funeral was attended well.  The cars were parked down the road and jammed in all the nooks and crannies.  In fact, I wondered if Michael would even be able to find a spot to sit.  Sean and Henry are getting better in their duties to assist the priest during the Mass.  I am proud of them for trying so hard to give respect to the deceased and their families.  They also assisted at the grave side.  They were able to stand with Fr. Joseph as the final rites were prayed at the grave.  They heard the young soldier play Taps and watched the soldiers fold the flag that would be presented to his widow.

James was blessed to have his family surround him in prayer and love as he passed from this world.  He was the last of nine children in his Posky family to pass on.  He leaves behind a wife and many children and grandchildren to share his life.

We are told in his obituary:  "He served our country during World War II in the United States Army in the South Pacific from 1942-1945. He was shipped to Alaska and then to Siska in the Aleutian Islands. From there he was sent to Hawaii, Marshall Island, Leyte in the Philippines and Okinawa. He is a recipient of the Purple Heart for his injury in battle."

He loved being outdoors...taking on the hard labor of construction work, gardening, fishing, and hunting with great joy!   He loved being a part of his church family as well.

I was very sad that I would miss this funeral for a man who loved the Lord so much.  Unfortunately, I was needed to take care the younger children and also found myself taking Amanda to the doctor.  It turns out that she has bronchitis and an eye infection.  I took her to the doctor during the funeral and she was given meds to help the infection.  We are praying she will be well in order to go to work as she has missed several days now.  The doctor was concerned enough about her eye infection that he had her go to an eye doctor to verify the infection was not a more serious condition.  The eye doctor verified the infection.

It has been a rough winter for us...in fact, Edward was sick over the weekend as well with another virus.  Spring could not get here quick enough and into the summer would be fine with me.  Then we would at least know the weather...hot!  LOL!  This up and down with the temperatures is got to be part of the problem right now.

We did manage to get everyone in the right direction in the afternoon.  Michael took Amanda at the eye doctor and I took the boys to our last 4H Photography meeting.

We are all home and glad for the chance to rest.  I think we are all tired from the race we ran today!