If you’re reading this…

Today is a day that we remember the brave men and women who have given their lives for our freedom.  It is a sobering day.  

Many people just see it as a day off of work or a day to have a cook out and spend time with family.  Those are all wonderful things, but it is my prayer that my children and my children’s children remember the sacrifices that were made for them by our military.  

I pray they do not take the privileges we enjoy every day for granted. 

My boys come from a long line of military men, of which we are VERY PROUD!

Their grandfather, Cyrus Booker Hutcherson, Jr., (Cy’s dad) served in the military from August of 1962 to June of 1965, and was stationed two years in Bad Kruzenach, Germany with the 8th Infantry Division.

Cyrus Booker Hutcherson, Jr.

 

Their great grandfather, Cyrus Booker Hutcherson, Sr., (Cy’s grandfather) was a chaplain with the United States Army in WWII and served in the South Pacific in Guadacanal, New Herbides, and New Caledonia.  He was a Chief Burial Officer and comforted many surviving soldiers, sailors, and marines. 

 Cyrus Booker Hutcherson, Sr.

 

Here is a cute picture of Cy’s Dad, grandfather, and Uncle David before Cy Sr. deployed for three years overseas in WWII.

Their great grandfather, Charles Keffer, (Cy’s maternal grandfather.)  He joined the United States Army when he was 17 years old.   He trained in Texas and was a sharp shooter and student radio operator.

Charles Kenneth Keffer 

Cy’s great Uncle Ward was asked by the Department of the Army to volunteer to serve in the military because of his financial position in state government.  While deployed to Italy, he was the Officer in Charge of the first Jewish refugees to be escorted to the New State of Israel in 1945.  He also escorted Heinrich Himmler’s wife and daughter to the Nuremburg trials.  When he returned home from his service he became Highway Commissioner for the State of Kentucky under the Happy Chandler Governorship.

Ward Jennings Oates

 

Their great grandfather (my mom’s dad) served in the military during WWII.  He was overseas when my mom was born and didn’t get to see her until she was a toddler.  He served in England, France, and Scotland, and served some time as a nurse. 

Alfred “Smokey” Allen

 

My heart just swells with pride when I look at these pictures.  Look at their precious faces!  They served our country to protect our freedoms!  I know that the life my family enjoys right now is because of these brave men and women.   WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL, and our military deserves our UTMOST RESPECT.

 

A few weeks ago, Jonathan sang a song at the Kentucky Opry in honor of our military.  It is called, “If You’re Reading This” and was originally recorded by Tim McGraw.

It’s not his best performance, but the heart with which he sang it is priceless.