How This Project Effected Me

This project really showed me the reality of WWII and the toll it took on the people and families of the United States.  People had to either sacrifice the advantages and privileges that they had just gotten back after the great depression to fight a war all the way across the Atlantic, or give up their lives to go to war.  It really showed me the true meaning of sacrifice and the true price of freedom.  Robert Parks was only 23 when he died.  He gave his life, future, and wife up just to fight for the freedom of people all across the world.  If I could talk to him  I would first give him my thanks.  Then, I would ask him if it was worth it?  Was everything he had to give up worth the future we have today?  In his view, was the fight the Americans put up the right choice or were there things they could have done differently?  Unfortunately, I will never be able to ask him these questions.  However, Ancestry.com was able to help me understand this forgotten hero more than I could have hoped.  The website allowed his family members to track and post about events from his life and his parent's lives.  These events, combined with legal documents allowed me to piece together the life, of Robert Parks that took place before and during Parks time in the military. The life he gave to allow me to be able to fully understand the meaning of gratitude for myself.  I used to think it was just about being thankful, now it means a lot more.  Gratitude is not just being thankful for a gift, it is also remembering and utilizing that gift for good.  Now I will do my best to remember everyday that I am free and able to do what I want when I want, due in large part to the sacrifice that all the forgotten heroes of War gave, and I will cherish and utilize that freedom everyday, to do good just like they did.  

Image drawn by me: a soldier with his face covered by a poppy flower. 

(The poppy flower is used to honor those who have died in war)