Dear William and Daniel, (and Catherine, Michael & Baby Girl Y) (and your parents), (and any future descendants and their parents),
Once a year, we celebrate Veterans Day — the official day of celebration is November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the agreement that ended World War I (hostilities were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918). (Note: Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans, while Memorial Day [observed annually on the last Monday of May] is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving.)
Great-Great-Grandfather ZYGMUNT KONSTANTY KOSTRO
I previously told you about your Great-Great-Grandfather ZYGMUNT KONSTANTY KOSTRO, and his military activities, including during World War I and during World War II; and I already told you about my first cousin Michael Dzikowski, and his military activities during the Vietnam War.
Wójcio Bolek
I also already told you about my Wójcio Bolek, who was a Polish Merchant Marine when World War II started, and then continued to serve in the British Merchant Marines. (By the way, Wójcio Bolek was my cousin Michael’s father.)
Another person who served as a U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II was Alfred Hirsch, my sister Elizabeth’s husband. I will try to write more about him in the future — here is a bit of what I wrote about him in the past.
Two other people in your family who qualify as veterans are your Pra-Babcia Kostro (my Mom) and your Pra-Dziadek Neumann (Babcia Krysia’s Father) — I will write about their endeavors during World War II at some other time (if I forget, please remind me).
I previously told you about how I got my my “Draft Card”; how I went to Airborne School (May – June, 1970); and I also told you about my personal brush with the military (however, I am NOT a veteran; as I was not on active duty long enough to qualify).
Now, let me tell you about a modern-day VETERAN who is very close to you — my son, and your uncle, Wójek Rysiu.
2nd Lt. Richard Kostro, U.S. Army (Reserves), Military Inteligence
Richard surprised us when he decided to join the Army in 2006.
Saying goodbye to Rysio (060319_007)
We visited with him in March, before he started Basic Training. He graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) and was commission as a 2Lt in the U.S. Army (Military Intelligence) on September 7, 2006.
US Army Officer Candidate School
Follow Me statue in front of Infantry Hall, at Fort Benning, Georgia
Wherever brave men fight … and die, for freedom, you will find me. I am always ready … now, and forever. I am the Infantry – Queen of Battle! Follow me!
Richard Kostro
Being sworn-in
Having his 2LT bars pinned on him
Then, Rysio went on to a Basic Officer Leadership Course, where, among other things, he practiced living in a “Forward Operating Base” (FOB) (at Ft. Benning – November 2006).
Richard in his NODs (Night Observations Devices)
View through Night Vision Goggles
Rysio’s quarters at BOLC
Followed by a Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leadership Course – Fort Huachuca, Arizona – November 20, 2006 to March 27, 2007.
Mobilization Ceremony at Ft. Meade, MD
And then it happened — April 13, 2009, Rysiu went off to prepare for war.
On to the bus
Good bye
April, 2009: Malgosia & Rysio (who came to visit on his final four-day pass before he ships-off to Iraq)
April 26, 2009: Rysio going off to war — we drove him to Fort Dix on Sunday evening; from there he flew to Texas; from there to Kuwait and then to Iraq
May 19, 2009 at 6:23 am: Rysio is off from Texas. Let us pray that he returns safely in a year (or sooner).
Statystics
U.S. military personnel watch actor and comedian Stephen Colbert perform during a USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour Tuesday evening at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad.
Rysio sightseeing the countryside in Iraq
Rysiu, gone to Iraq, but not forgotten
March 2010: Rysio is safely back from Iraq
Gentlemen, if life’s circumstances require you to serve in the military, I trust that you will do so honorably, preferably as officers (life is much easier that way). BUT, remember, your families need you to be alive and well; so, do NOT go off to war unnecessarily — it is NOT an adventure; it IS hell; and many people die or are permanently injured. AND, always honor those who are or were in the military, by choice or otherwise, because, thanks to their commitment and sacrifice, the rest of us get to live in freedom.
Love,
Dziadziuś Paweł.
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