First Post

     This is my first try at anything like this.  I am trying to preserve the history of my family, primarily the military aspect of it.   First, I had a loving grandmother who truly had the faith to move mountains but to pray and trust God to bring four sons home from World War II and serve God all her days.
     These four uncles included one soldier, one sailor, and two marines. One of the marines is my father and the lone survivor of the four.  These four men were the only military men  in the family until much later.  One of the marines transferred to the army as a lifer.  Another uncle joined the Air Force later and was also a lifer.  I will include all as I gain information..  As one of the marines was my father and greatly loved and respected, I too also wanted to be a marine.   Never question Gods will, he knows best, but with some regrets I did not pass my physical.  With orders to Parris Island I was given the news and with much disappointment at the time came home.   My dear mother cried all night the night I left and then cried all night because I was disappointed but this is not about me.  Last but not least, my middle son is a lifer in the US  Air Force. He is an officer and has done one tour in Iraq.
     I am presently gathering information and preserving all the information and pictures that I can.
This is quite a challenge since most that served will not talk.  My father wishes to put everything behind him.  He is still haunted at the age of 88 and I will not question him anymore.

Of Men

Of Men

Written in February of 1945

by Thomas D. Ginefra

Sergeant of Marines

The soul of Suribachi ever gloats,

But high atop her summit floats,

Emblazoned emblem for all the world to see.

Iwo Jima, bastion of an Eastern World,

Falls to planters of a Western flag unfurled.

On high, sea beacon beckoning on captured crest,

To crippled war birds coming home to rest.

Below with bloodied bayonets,

with guts and guns,

Incredible Marines stormed, stood, and won.

Bold, beribboned builders of a corps,

Heroes rich in combat-colored lore;

Spoke with spouting guns and belching flame,

'Neath sands of glory now, a legendary name, MARINE.

Pacific Atolls - Stepping stones to victory.

Islands of the Rising Sun,

Vanquished, shambles in defeat and destiny,

Relentless warriors, "A job well done."

Add more of battle scenes, more accolades,

More flags unfurled - still more of peaceful scenes.

Symbols of a fighting man, and a sacrifice supreme.

The bugle notes echo, in a wind that's chilled. 

Red sunset, gray ash, white cross of the stilled.

This sky, star-filled tonight, our fortress dome,

Our new tomorrow's hope... we're going home.