Simple and Serene Living: MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIES

MEMORIAL DAY MEMORIES

Each year on Memorial day I repost this post that is special to my heart.

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my dad as a young businessman

Today is Memorial Day and as on all Memorial Days, I think of my late father. George Reece Holloway was a lieutenant and later promoted to a captain in the United States Air Force in WWII. He served his country valiantly. The P-38 plane he was piloting was shot down on June 20, 1944. He was sent to a German POW camp at Stalag Luft I where he was kept until liberated by the American forces. He was called up again during the Korean War and with his young family (I was a baby) went to Texas to train other pilots.

From P-38 Lightning losses June, 1944

"P-38 J 42-67963. 370th Fighter Group. (Plane shot down at 17H30 -German time- near La Puthenaye, N.W. of Conches. Pilot, Lt George R. HOLLOWAY, is captured a few moments later at Grosley and sent to Chartres interrogation center)."

My dad as a young officer.

Eighteen years ago, my father passed away after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He died with the same bravery and dignity that he had when serving his country.

Landing of the first P-38 on the mainland near Ste Mère l'Eglise (US National Archives).

photo via Lightning losses

So today. a special thanks to all the men and women who have protected our country.

AnonymousMay 30, 2011 at 12:04 PM
What a brave, handsome and courageous man! I'm sorry you lost him to MS. I too have the disease. =0(
SImple and Serene LivingMay 30, 2011 at 1:00 PM
I am so sorry to hear that you have MS. I hope you are doing well. You too are a brave person and my prayers will be with you everyday.
Korrie@RedHenHomeMay 30, 2011 at 4:51 PM
Hope this day is filled with happy memories of your father. Thanks to him and all those who have given their time and energy in serving our country.
JaneMay 30, 2011 at 5:15 PM
That was a beautiful tribute to your father. I'm glad we have a day to celebrate all the men and women who served our country. We should never forget their sacrifices.
Jane
cindy-the vintage hat shopMay 30, 2011 at 9:22 PM
Thank you for sharing your story. What an honorable man.
We are indebted to all present and past members of the military that serve our country.
AnonymousOctober 16, 2011 at 8:20 AM
Hello,
Our association, based in Chartres, would devote a page on the history of your father, on his website.
Our association serves to safeguard the memory of the pilots and crew who fought for freedom.
The address of our website: http://forcedlanding.pagesperso-orange.fr/
Cordially
Jean Pierre, President Forced Landing Association
pasqueflowerMay 27, 2012 at 5:10 PM
What a lovely tribute to your father.
renae May 28, 2012 at 2:56 PM
Oh Laura - what a marvelous man your father is / was. I'm proud to know you and read such a heart felt honor to your father. Any one that survived those prisons were indeed courageous yet suffered so. (( hugs ))
Ricki TreleavenMay 30, 2012 at 8:08 AM
What a sweet tribute to your dad and to our troops who paid the ultimate sacrifice. I hope you are having a great week!
UnknownMay 27, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Laura! You are preserving history in this post!
Your father's valiant service to our country and it's allies was such a gift of love.
~Lynne
withLove.
pasqueflowerMay 27, 2013 at 6:47 PM
A wonderful tribute!
HeatherMay 28, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Lovely tribute to your father, Laura! ....and such a wonderful story! Cheers~
Butterfly 8)(8 Bungalow May 26, 2014 at 11:37 PM
What a beautiful tribute to your brave father...xo
Brenda PruittMay 25, 2015 at 8:45 PM
A lovely tribute. He certainly did his part for this country. You look a lot like him.
Brenda
RURAL magazineMay 26, 2015 at 8:24 AM
He gave a lot to his country, and was very brave. He certainly was a remarkable man.

Jen