When I was in grammar school at Douglas school in Chester county at 11 o'clock on Nov 11 we school children, age 5 to 15, laid our head on our desk for one minute to remember all those who had died in war to allow the freedom we have - even tho we were in the midst of a terrible depression, we were convinced that world war I was fought to end all wars. This was the slogan that followed the signing of the peace treaties.
Little did we children know that in our own lifetime we would experience WWII with the loss of our loved ones. Arthur my oldest brother whom I loved and respected who helped to reinforce what my parents taught me. Respect yourself - your name is worth more than money. Keep it free of shame. Respect your parents - etc. He died for those beliefs. I have letters from him to me and my parents. Each letter says "I love you". "I thank you for my love of life".
Today Veterans Day is a day to remember not only the revolution - civil war - 1812 - 1918 - 1941 but Korean war + Vietnam. Members of our family were in each war except the Vietnam --- Roy Bennett husband of Ruby Frances McKeown served in the Korean area after the war was battled. He suffered a heart attack there which eventually led to his death.
War I am afraid will be in our future. History seems to indicate that war is and will be a part of each generation with as an influence from Grandparents + parents or as a part of their life.
My grandparents were very much affected from the civil war - granddaddy Tommy McKeown being a young child and Grandmama Maggie Cameron McKeown having been born during the war and being a child of a single parent suffered and felt all their lives from this influence. In spite of this they reared a large family and instilled in them a respect for life and a desire for their children to better themselves.
I remember being told early on as a child - you don't have a lot of material things but the McKeown name is an honorable one and you are to live your life in such a way as to honor your family.
My mother's family also felt the same way. The Beam - Craft family tried to live in a way to better themselves.
Back to Veteran's day 1986 -
I am grateful to all the people - Mostly young men - who have given the ultimate sacrifice - their lives - that we may live in freedom.
I remember the pain I felt when Arthur was killed. For a while I felt that he was still over seas and a mistake had been made. In time I accepted that he and many others had died, been prisoners of war, for those of us who still lived it is my prayer that none of my children - grandchildren or great grandchildren will be called on to give the sacrifice of life for us or their country.
Posted by Beth McKeown at November 11, 1986 11:24 PM