This post is dedicated to my father, Rudy Hanson.
When I was a little kid, I hung out in my dad’s basement workshop, watching him work. He kept army green sleeping bags there, and when I asked about them, he told me about trying to sleep in the freezing cold of Alaska and Korea. He explained that he had been in the Korean War. In the U.S. Army. I didn’t understand too much, although he shared some apocryphal stories about ears being bitten off and seeing it rain fish.
I’m not sure I understand too much more today, but I have the deepest respect for my father serving in the United States Army.
Dad looks so young in his official Army portrait. And below.
Thank you for your service, Dad! xo
My father and other veterans are honored with bricks with their names at the Rose Park Veterans Memorial Park–a memorial park which my father and the Kalamazoo Sunrise Rotary Club were instrumental in bringing to the city.
My daughter points toward her grandpa’s name on the park plaque.
And here she is by the beautiful U.S. Army memorial at the park.
At long last, my dad has the medals he earned from serving our country in the Korean War.
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY, DAD!!!!
Dad has a twin brother, too–my Uncle Frank Hanson. He was in the U.S. Navy.
I hope Uncle Frank has a good Father’s Day, as well.
We’re coming up on the twins’ half birthday. Since their birthdays are the day after Christmas, they like to celebrate in June. I thought this was a phenomenon unique to my family, until I just this moment discovered that the event warrants a Wikipedia entry!
The Family Kalamazoo 
God bless our military past, present and future for their service and sacrifice.
LInda, what a lovely sentiment–and I agree with you completely.
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Loved your post! I know another person who likes to celebrate her half-birthday. She’s a Pisces born in February who likes to celebrate in August.
Those are all great photos and jaunty music as well.
Wilma, thank you! I had no idea there were all these other half-birthday celebrators. Why didn’t I think of that when I was missing the cupcakes every single year at school because I have a July birthday?
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Ivanbenson, thanks for stopping by! So happy to share my Dad’s story with others.
Thank you for sharing. Lovely post.
C.K., thank you for the compliment! I’m so glad you stopped by and commented.
WOW … fascinating blog … I will be checking in … Good post, good words … I would have liked to have met Rudy Hanson …Peace, T
Kind words, Wilder Man. He’s alive and well in Kalamazoo. Thanks for reading!
Your father sounds really special. What a lovely post for Father’s Day! . . . But I must admit, that I’d love to hear more about ears being bitten off and it raining fish. You piqued my interest. 🙂
Hahaha, they were great stories! Someday I will write them down a la my version, as in what I remember of the stories.
I send a thank you to your Dad for his service to our country.
Was there any delay in him receiving his medals? If so, why? The important thing, though, is that you now have them and they can be part of your family’s treasures.
Yes, he never received them until he wrote for them in recent years. Thanks, EmilyAnn. I know he’s reading!
A wonderful tribute. You must be very proud! Thanks to men like your father, we can live as we do.
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[…] wrote about my Dad, Rudy Hanson, being a veteran of the U.S. Army in a previous post. He recently joined a Combat Veterans’ Writing Group, which meets at the local library. The […]
[…] Father’s Day last year, I posted about my dad’s military service here. In light of the holiday, I thought I would share with you something about my dad. He has two […]
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