Lest We Forget
On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month the guns of the Great War fell silent. Today, we mark the end of World War I and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in service to the free people of the world. We remember those who struggled and won victories against men who would impose their fascist will on us all.
My grandpa, Levi Rotert, served as a Sergeant in the 102nd "Ozark" Infantry Division during the Second World War. He was a medic for most of his time in theater. The Ozark Division, including grandpa, ended the war shaking hands with the Soviets outside of Berlin.
Per regulation, as a medic, he wore a helmet with a white circle and red cross emblazoned on the front. My uncle still has his helmet, which is dented with bullet ricochets. In one of the very few things my grandpa ever said about his service, he joked that the red cross made a pretty easy target.
After grandpa passed, we found the picture I posted here of him. This is my grandpa with one of the many, many, orphans left in the wake of war. Medics were often charged with caring for the youngest victims of battle.
It is hard to imagine that in this photo my grandpa is barely older than my son is now.
I know many of you have veterans in your lives. Today, I remember my grandpa whose courage in the face of unimaginable terror was nothing short of astonishing. He, like all veterans (including my father-in-law), deserve our deepest gratitude.
As many of you know, I grew up in Kansas City, home of the nation's World War I Monument and Museum. At the base of the tower are two giant sphinxes, both with their heads buried in their wings. “Memory” faces east toward the battlefields of Europe, shielding its eyes from horrors of war we do not want to see. The other is “Future,” facing west to the setting sun blinded to the events to come in the days ahead.
Above the bronze doors of the monument is chiseled a passage from the Old Testament, “Lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen.”
On this Veteran's Day, let's not forget those who served the cause of liberty. Today, let us all remember and give thanks.