In Honor.

All my life I have been around people that have either served in a war, were currently serving, or were training for one.

People that sacrificed what they had. 

...People like my Papa George, who served during WWII in the Navy

...People like my Grandpa Jim who trained in the Air Force reserves during the 60's and 70's

...People like my Grandpa Elijah, who served in Vietnam.

This is the man I want to remember today. 

He was imperfect, yes.

But he was honorable.

He was a pretty classy fellow:

I'm almost positive he was part cowboy:

He loved....

1. His boat, before it was destroyed by a fire:

2. Carving, his passion:

This was the gift he carved for my mum and aunt (being they were pregnant at the same time) my mum's is still unfinished.

5. Making and re-designing skateboards, which he loved to ride.

4. His motorcycles, but mostly this one, which he re-designed:

4. Being silly... and laughing a lot:

I'm guessing this was his 60th...

5. His creatures- but especially his tarantula- which he found in the jungles of Vietnam, injured:

Yes, those are my hands... Rex is actually pretty friendly, dontchaknow.  This guy actually let my Grandpa pull strands of webbing out from his {back end} and string it from one end of the house to the other... and it was like floss. Seriously.

6. Singing things... random songs sorta like this:

But most of all...

7. Family.

With my mum 1971

With my mum and bike 1984

Family Reunion 2010

Sisters.

Allen Elijah passed away October 2010. His kidneys had failed him. He was 64 years young. He died surrounded by those who loved him... knowing that they loved him.
He is survived by his wife, sweet sweet Grandma Connie:

He never met little Bean... but he always fondly referred to our family as consisting of 4 1/2 children.
A Memorial service was held for him November 2010.
Navy-style.
We all wore poppies. 

This day, I wanted to remember all the people that have sacrificed for all the generations to come... from George Washington in the Revolutionary War to the men fighting in Iraq today. 

God gave us this freedom.

These men are defending it.

This man defended it.

One Nation. Under God. Indivisible. With Liberty and Justice for all. 

Amen.

Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13