I guess remembering our veterans makes me think of family, a lot. So, here is something by my granddad who worked at Hill Field in Utah during WWII. He was the old cowboy rancher whose poetry and such I've shared and am working on including in a book which some of you have read about. He was not a member of any orgainised religion, believed in reincarnation, and wanted to come back as a history professor.

In yesterday's thread, I mentioned my mom's brother, Howard, who was a veteran of WWII. At the bottom of the handwritten original of what follows, is a note, I think in my mother's handwriting which says: "Prayer...found in Frank Hudson's diary after his death. This prayer was written at the time Howard was wounded on Saipan."

Hill Field 1944

Almighty God we beseech Thy awareness of this youth who is this day called to offer his body as a sacrifice in the behalf of humanity, even as Thy Son.

We ask of Thee that his soul be clean, his heart brave and strong be his arm to bear this banner through the flames of Armageddon to eternal victory.

If it be in keeping with Thy will, we plead for his safe return to those who hold him dear. In the name of a ravished and suffering world we ask of Thee, this. Amen

Signed, Frank Hudson