My grandfather, Jack, grew up in Manhattan, Kansas. He went to college, then veterinary school. When he finished vet school, World War II was in full swing, and in order to get your diploma, you had to enlist. So Jack enlisted. They gave him a punch card to select his interests and skills, and Jack from Kansas figured he was pretty good at swimming. But somehow, he instead punched skiing. So Jack from Kansas went to Italy with the 10th Mountain Division, a pack of mules, and twelve other first lieutenants.
The mules all died. The first lieutenants all died too. But Jack came home. He came home to a sanitarium with TB, a new wife, and a baby on the way. The Army doctors told him he wouldn't live a year. He lived 65 years. And he died yesterday. In his typical style, they told us last week that he would live two hours, and he lived eleven days.
Jack warrants no pity. But if anybody out there is raising a glass tonight, please raise it to Jack. He would like that.
Comments (28)
In honor of Jack ~
Posted by Dianne | February 5, 2011 8:55 PM
So sorry Beth. My condolences to you and your family.
Posted by Maribeth | February 5, 2011 9:03 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted by Kate M | February 5, 2011 9:06 PM
There is a glass raised here in Oregon. Sorry for your loss. He sounds like he was a remarkable man.
Posted by lane | February 5, 2011 9:24 PM
I raised a glass of gin-and-V8.
Posted by Swistle | February 5, 2011 9:28 PM
Cheers, Jack!
Beth, I'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted by Julie | February 5, 2011 9:46 PM
a remarkable man who lived through a remarkable time. my grandfather was a muleskinner during world war II. in fact, my great grandmother sent 8 of her 10 boys into the war and they all came home. remarkable. thinking of you all, sounds like he's leaving a big hole (which, is the best case scenario, isn't it?)
salud.
Posted by kati | February 5, 2011 9:57 PM
I'm sorry for your loss. He sounds like a pretty amazing man!
Posted by Heather | February 5, 2011 11:47 PM
Sorry to read this, here's to Jack.
Posted by Katherine | February 6, 2011 4:08 AM
An amazing man worthy of the recounting. Glad you knew him and I'm glad you shared. Sorry for your loss.
Posted by Knot | February 6, 2011 4:32 AM
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss - Jack sounds like he was an amazing man, and your family must be so lucky to have known him. I'll definitely raise a glass for him.
Posted by Dawn | February 6, 2011 11:54 AM
I am so sorry for your loss. He sounds like a very special man.
Posted by Em | February 6, 2011 12:53 PM
Sorry for your loss Beth. Rest in peace Jack.
God Bless your family.
Posted by Trish V | February 6, 2011 1:58 PM
Rest in peace, Jack.
Posted by Emily | February 6, 2011 3:01 PM
Sorry for your loss, Beth. May he rest in peace. Mug of tea raised in his memory.
Posted by Piper | February 6, 2011 3:45 PM
Sorry for your loss. Cheers to your Grandpa from the Detroit area.
Posted by Dawn | February 6, 2011 5:25 PM
I'm sorry for your loss. I'll raise a glass of wine later tonight in Jack's honour. He sounds like an amazing man.
Posted by Carmen | February 6, 2011 7:01 PM
I am so sorry for your loss.
Posted by liz | February 7, 2011 8:50 AM
Beth, so sorry for your loss to you and the family. I'll raise a glass tonight in honor of Jack.
Posted by One Mom's Opinion | February 7, 2011 12:03 PM
I am so sorry to hear your Grandfather has passed, Beth. I'm not much of a drinker, but I will certainly raise my Pepsi glass in his name.
To Jack!
Posted by Suz | February 7, 2011 1:05 PM
I'm sorry for your loss Beth.
Posted by Heather | February 7, 2011 5:28 PM
Sorry to hear, Beth. I listened to a story on NPR a few months back about one of the Italian WWII Mountain Divisions. Very interesting stuff.
Posted by el-e-e | February 8, 2011 9:50 AM
Sorry for your loss.
Posted by Fraulein N | February 8, 2011 2:42 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted by Becky | February 9, 2011 12:33 AM
Beautiful tribute. I'm raising my glass to Jack.
Posted by Susan | February 9, 2011 10:50 AM
Sympathy for you and your family's loss, Beth. And to Jack - cheers - look forward to meeting you on the flip side.
Posted by Mindy | February 10, 2011 5:33 PM
I'm only just getting round to reading this blog now but I'm sorry about your grandfather. It sounds like he lived a full life.
Posted by Katy | March 3, 2011 10:49 AM
I haven't read your blog for a while, because I have been so dang busy, but I have family from the tiny town of Manhattan, KS. I was born in Wichita.
Cheers to Grandpa Jack. Email his last name to me, if you would like, I will ask my stepdad if he knows of him or his family. (it's a realllly small town)
Posted by Jenn Benn | March 20, 2011 4:30 PM