THANK YOU WW11 VETS FOR YOUR COURAGE, BLOOD AND GUTS! And my condolences to the families who sacrificed their loved ones who never returned. I know you must be proud of their military service, and the fact that they rid the world of a monster named Adolf Hitler, whom the Nazis, and the German nation worshipped.
I know the sorrow you feel because my father never returned to me. I am placing flowers at the foot of his cross at the Polish Military Cemetery in Grainville-Langannerie, France. He was the recipient of 17 medals for his bravery. He is buried with his friends, 350 soldiers killed the week of August 20, 1944, when the 1st Polish Armoured Division was ordered by Montgomery to hold Hill 262, “Maczuga,” to prevent the German Army from retreating back to Germany when the American heroes arrived at Omaha. Like a bunch of cowards they headed back to their own country, while brave Americans were slaughtered on the beaches of Normandy. I can’t imagine the courage it took to face those Nazi machine guns.
Polish Military Cemetery, Grainville-Langannerie, France.
I have visited the American Cemetery at Normandy and cried at the sight of thousands of white crosses and Stars of David, dotting the peaceful countryside as far as the eye can see.
And so today, I honor my father, Sgt. Edward Zyrmont, and all those Allied soldiers in graves in Europe, who fought valiantly to protect my freedom. The freedom a writer cherishes to think and write one’s innermost thoughts without fear. They died fighting for what they believed in. We shall never forget them, and that is why I was out yesterday with my husband, Captain John J. Sullivan, (Ret.) USAir Force, Viet Nam, distributing red poppies with the VFW Post 7507, Fountain Hills, Arizona, raising funds for the vets. Please, help a veteran. They helped you! They are our fathers, brothers, sons and husbands, and we are grateful for their immense sacrifices. They deserve better than this current scandal at the VA Hospitals in the USA. Thank you Congressman David Schweikert, for your support in assisting the disabled vets, and thank you Senator McCain for your vociferous outrage at the mismanagement of the VA Hospitals.
In Flanders Fields
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up your quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If we break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
—Col. John McCrae
