This is my grandfather William Benjamin Moore, serving in France during World War One. He served there near the end of the war. I do not know who took this photo or how it ended up in our family archives, and yet I am glad someone took the time to make him stop and pose for this photo. It is the only shot we have of him in active service.
My grandfather’s one wish was to serve in the war so that no future generations of his family would have to serve through another war. In his civilian life he owned the local grocery store. He loved golf, and he had three sons. He died on a Tuesday after having been home for lunch. I never knew my grandfather. He died when my father was just a teenager. I was his only granddaughter. I think I would have liked to get to know him. I would liked to have thanked him for his sacrifice and service so that my world could be one of peace. I would have liked to have heard his stories about France. However since that was not possible, I am grateful for this photo of him as a young man in uniform.
Unfortunately my grandfather’s desire that no future generations would see another war did not come true. There have been many wars since then…too many. And yet this is not a piece about war, it is a piece about service. For generations men and women in our country have served on foreign lands to protect freedom and democracy. They have sacrificed, protected, and been loyal so that we could enjoy the American life. As I sleep in this morning and enjoy a national holiday I will give thanks for my grandfather, my father-in-law, my niece and her husband, and the countless others who have served or are serving so that I can sleep late. Happy Memorial Day and thank you for standing up for us all, for protecting us all, and for sharing your service with us through photos and stories.
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