Monday, May 31, 2010

Memorial Day and My Family

I was watching CNN, the John King, U.S.A. special, he interviewed a set of parents that had lost their son in Afghanistan in 2008. John King asked them what they would like people to know about Memorial Day. Their answer, "Memorial Day is not just about beer and barbeque. It is about the men and women that serve and often give their lives for this nation. So take a moment, big or small, to pay tribute to that heroic deed on this day." My eyes welled up at their story and loss, which I take even harder now that I am a parent.

Today our family will pay tribute to the men and women that serve and to the precious souls that leave this earth too soon so that my sons can thrive in this democratic country. And I will also pay tribute to the military in my own family. Thanks to my Uncle Jimmy's hard work we have information dating back to the Civil War.

To P&K: This list reflects their relationship to you.
Great Uncle- Lt. James W. Tucker-Army
Great Uncle- Major Carlos Larry Tucker – Army -Veteran of Vietnam War
Great Uncle- Tim Hardin- US Marines
Cousin- Jeff Ellis US Coast Guard
Your Great-Grandfather’s side of the family

Great Great Uncle Eulice “Buster” Tucker served in the Merchant Marines - Veteran of WWII

Civil War Veterans’
Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather Charles W C Tucker – Private with “Pirkles Rangers” 4th Regiment, Georgia Calvary, State Guard

Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather James Madison Maise- Sergeant with the 48th Alabama Infantry. Died from wounds from the Battle of Bull Run near Mannases, Va. Sept 3, 1862

Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather Isham H. Sitz-Private 48th Alabama Infantry. Fought in Petersburg, Second Mannases, Battle of the Wilderness, Gettysburg and ended the war at Appomattox.

Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather –Born in Germany was sold by the Hessian Count Frederick II to Great Britain to fight in the American War of Independence. He deserted the British and fought for the Americans. He made his home Lincoln County, North Carolina

Your Great-Grandmother’s side of the family

Great Great Uncle Marion Norton Cothran Army- Veteran of WWII

Great Great Uncle Roy Linley Cothran – Veteran of WWII, Korean and Viet Nam

Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather - Wylie J. Cothran—Sergeant in the Confederate States Army 19th Regiment, Alabama Infantry

Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather Julius R. Bates-Major General – Army-7th Division of Georgia Militia--Resigned in 1852, before Civil War. Resigned because he was against the way the American Indians were treated!

Great Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather John W. Cothran-Major- Army

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