60 years ago

60 years ago yesterday my grandfather joined the army.

I always thought that he was called in, got the farm and everything set up and then went. Had his doc's appointments and then said his goodbyes and then joined up. I seem to remember him saying that he worked at the port city for a while, and then went overseas. He was in Holland when the war was over and always talks about the dutch saying "All is Kaput!" Meaning that it was all over.

Yesterday my father explained to me that it wasn't like he volunteered to join up. He got a letter to go see them at the recruiting office and he went. He figured he'd have his checkups and they'd sign him up and he'd go home, get his things in order, and then return to duty. However, instead, what happened was he got there, and they didn't let him go back home. They sent someone to get his things. It was like being sent to jail. No goodbyes. No arrangements made for the farm.

After being overseas for a long time, he was able to get farm leave, but each time had to return to Europe. He remained overseas for at least a year after the war was over.

My grandfather is 87 years old, and rarely speaks of the tragic elements of the war he fought in. He tells stories of being on leave, of getting his CO really angry when he was sick or when he wanted to go to church. He was at war and missed weekly mass only once or twice. When I look at him now, I can't imagine him being there. I have a hard time picturing him a young man in his 20s, with a weapon on his shoulder. Shining his boots. Mending his uniform. Being shot at.

60 years ago.