May 24, 2020
As I have done for many years, on May 24, the date Second Lieutenant Robert Thomas Boggan’s B-20 bomber was shot down in 1945, I am at Lakewood Cemetery. There is one big difference about today’s visit though; I am not alone; I have direct descendants of Bobby Boggan with me, each carrying an American flag and flowers to put on our fallen warriors grave.
Tomorrow is Memorial Day and I am in the car with son Bill, daughter-in-law Binnie Jo, and granddaughter Peyton Boggan. As we drive on through the cemetery it makes me feel good when I notice there are many American flags out on this Sunday. As usual, I am humbled by what so many heroic people have meant, not only to our country but to the world as we know and live in it today.
I think that sometimes we forget that the freedoms that we now enjoy were purchased with the blood of our fallen patriots, “Who more than self, their country loved.” There have been other conflicts but World War II was the worst in human history and I thank God that miraculously the body of Willard’s brother made it home.
I’m sure age has a lot to do with it, but to me that generation of solders and the people back home are unforgettable. With the vast majority of those veterans past the age of ninety, it won't be long before only a few will be left to tell their stories of courage and triumph in the face of overwhelming odds.
Eight years old when Pearl Harbor was bombed, I would fill up pages if I named the stars and celebrities who were in that conflict and what they did, so I’ll limit myself to five still recognizable names: James Stewart, Paul Newman, Tony Curtis, Charleton Heston, Robert Stack. (I danced with him)
Those years made quiet heroes out of countless soldiers, scientists, teachers, cooks, students, farm workers. Whether they were fighting the Nazis on the European front or making a difference against the Japanese in the Pacific, these down-to-earth people helped lead the Allies to victory and to make the world what it is today.
Time marches on and sadly memories of World War II and those selfless persons are fading from our minds; they no longer make headlines but many of my generation are still humbled by what those heroes meant, not only to our country, but to the world as we know and live in it today.
Those of us who were children during those years were not of the greatest generation, but because of the world situation and because of being raised by them, discipline and honesty were a way of life at home and at school. We were not allowed to be pampered and spoiled.
I don’t think, even if they had been around, we would have been addicted to today’s distractions; televisions, computers, cell phones, video games. Now, please hear me and understand, I do realize that I am out of the loop in so many ways.
I’m also sure that this is an age thing, and I’ll probably have wet noodles thrown at me for bringing this up, but in the past few years I have believed that sometimes too many Americans may pay homage to the wrong persons. I’m thinking about athletes, actors and rap stars.
Looking back through recent times, before Covid-19, it was kinda hard for me to come up with some names but in this day and age, with the pandemic virus, that seems to have turned around somewhat. Celebrities today can’t fly war planes or drive tanks and, like the rest of the world, they have had to isolate. But many of them are stepping up. They are providing food and medical supplies to those who are hungry or sick and donating money for where it’s needed. Yes, they are out there.
Our car pulls to a stop as does the car behind us.
Today, May 24th, 2020, 75 years to the day that Bobby Boggan’s plane was shot down, some of his descendants and their family members have gathered at Lakewood Cemetery to honor one soldier who gave his life for this country and for the world: Lottie Brent Boggan, sister-in-law; Bill Boggan, nephew; Bryan Boggan and Christian Boggan, great nephews; Peyton Boggan, great great niece; and Wyatt Boggan, great great great nephew. Other loved ones with us on this day are Binnie Jo and Baylee Boggan.
There are some who could not make it, Michelle Ayers, Carter Ayers, Aden Ayers, Trace Kindred, Kyle Kindred.
Those there today saw a picture of Bobby Boggan, then I gave each person a copy of the Air Force song. We all place a flag on the grave, then son Bill leads us in prayer.
The prayer over I take a deep breath. “You made it home, Bobby Boggan. Rest in peace,” I say as we turn away.
And it seems as if I heard a faint voice drifting over the waving flags, granite and brass name markers, and sloping green fields.
“Off we go, into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun.”
