Lest we forget

My-DadThis is a watercolor I painted of a hero.

This is a man who survived one of the most brutal events in history. The Bataan Death March. 

This is a man who spent 3 1/2 years in a Japanese Prison Camp.

This is a man who weighed 85 lbs when he was finally released. He had malaria, dysentery, and could barely walk.

This is a man who was told he wouldn’t live past fifty. Eight years ago, he died at age 82 .

This is a man who was told he would never have children.

This is my father.

This is how he started each day  lest we forget the price payed for our freedoms.

I promise I won’t, Dad.

How do you honor the memory of your loved ones who died in combat or have served in the armed forces?

My sister, Candie Blankman,  traveled halfway around the world to retrace my dad’s footsteps.  She recorded the impact of his war experience on her life in the book “Forged by War.”  You can get her book here.

 

[reminder]

Comments

  1. We desperately need men like your father today. Thanks for sharing this. Love the painting.
    Carl Thompson

  2. I read about that in one of your books… but it catches my breath each time I read it again, brings tears to my eyes. So awesome to have overcome so many obstacles. So awesome to have a hero in your family. God Bless You

  3. Thank you to your father hardly seems enough to say. I am humbled by his sacrifice. Thank you, Ken for sharing your amazing heritage.

  4. Brutality endured for the sake of Country. Lest we forget… We shall remember. Thank you for shaing and reminding us, Ken.

  5. Ken, in tears – wow, so powerful, inspiring, thank you for sharing…

  6. In tears. Thank you for this amazing tribute. And what a wonderful, wonderful reminder of Isaiah 46:4. The Lord provided your dad 32 extra years of life and awesome kids like you.

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  9. As I’m writing this, I’m in tears…of joy and humility. Yesterday was elections and I am so blessed that I was given the freedom to vote, yet fully aware that sacrifices were (and still are) made by valiant men like your father for such freedoms. Thank you Ken for capturing the powerful love of country that your father fought, endured, lived, and died for. God Bless You and your Family!

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