Join me in remembering the veterans we all have in our family tree on this day which is set aside for doing that very thing.  As imperfect as we think our country might be, our ancestors fought for the freedoms we enjoy, and many of them gave their lives in defense of that freedom.

Walter (in uniform) with brothers James and Bertchel and father
Joseph Baxter Lovelace

My personal veteran ancestors:

Walter Washington Lovelace, 1917-2000.  My dad served as a Staff Sergeant in the European Theater in WWII, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.  He didn’t speak much of his service.  He was a quiet man, a humble man, and a kind and generous man.

George Logan Lovelace, 1845-1915.  My great-grandfather served as a private in Co. I of the 56^th North Carolina Infantry of the Confederate Army in the War Between the States (or, if you prefer, the War of Northern Aggression or Our Late Unpleasantness…  Hey, I live in Charleston, SC, and it is known by those and many other names down here!).  His unit was known as the Rutherford Rifles, and, years ago, I was privileged to hold the rifle he carried during the war.  He was involved in the defense of Petersburg, VA during the year-long siege of that city, and was present at the Battle of the Crater on 30 July 1864.

Barton Lovelace, circa 1757 to circa 1802.  My gggggradfather was a member of the Flying Camp of the Maryland Militia during the American Revolution.  I have no inkling as to what his service entailed or of any action he saw during the war.  But he served, and after the war set out for greener pastures in the southern states.  Unfortunately, as many of you already know, he ran afoul of the law in Halifax Co., VA, arrested for horse thievery and bound over for trial in Richmond.  His family continued on into Spartanburg Co., SC and then settled in Rutherford Co., NC.  Barton himself, through as yet undiscovered means, apparently escaped and fled into the frontier of Tennessee, later settling in Madison Co., Kentucky where he died.

Gratitude is due all of the veterans from the past, and to those of today, who have endured tremendous physical and mental trials and continue to do so.  Thank you, veterans.  Thank you, thank you, thank you.