Memorial Day is a day of remembrance of those who served for our country. First picture is of my grandfather, John Knapik, who fled Poland in WWI and lied about his age to fight for the United States. He was 15. He enlisted again for WWII and earning the rank of Master Sargent. The second picture is of him in Hawaii. His brother, Boli, died leading a charge against the Germans for which he received the Silver Star. He’s never been found, but the Netherlands volunteers contacted me for the photo so they could put this display on the grave for American Soldiers. Pictures 3 and 4 are of my Uncle Marshall and the son of my grandfather pictured above. Chief Master Sargent Marshall Knapik served in Vietnam and devoted his life to the Air Force, flying missions and before retiring building runways at both the North and South Poles. He unfortunately passed away a few years ago. The last picture is the youngest of my grandfather’s brothers. Uncle Frank lived to 96 and never once spoke of the horrors he saw and suffered when he served in the Pacific. He was chosen for an elite mission with the 27th Division to invade Makin Island before surviving the hell of the Battle of Saipan. He survived banzai attacks that took out most of his 105th Infantry Regiment. He received more medals than I can recite, including The Purple Heart. He never mentioned them. Instead I knew him as my great uncle with the most amazing blue eyes who twinkled with fun, mischief and life, a trait my grandfather and uncle both shared. So while today I remember their heroics I celebrate their love of this country, their love of laughter, and their love of family. #silverstar #purpleheart #27thinfantry #amsterdamny #wwii