Our Family In The Military: Veterans Day

Riddle: If you have it, you want to share it, but if you share it, you don't have it. What is it?

On November 11, 1918, the Armistice was signed that ended World War I. The actual fighting between the Allies and Germany ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, and this day proved to be the end of "The Great War", which officially ended with the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919.

Armistice Day, as November 11 became known, first honored the veterans of World War I; but after World War II and the Korean War, the name was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor all living veterans, whether they served in war or peace. It honors America's veterans for their patriotism and willingness to serve.

The Veterans Day, 2008 Proclamation by the President of the USA starts by saying: On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of the men and women who in defense of our freedom have bravely worn the uniform of the United States.

Our family, as many others, has a military history. We are proud of these men who served their country in its time of need, and we think of them with love and gratitude on Veteran's Day. Here are photos of our own 20th Century heroes.




Vietnam War

1963, Grampy's brother H, a 17 year-old Marine Basic Training graduate.
He was in the Marines for 4 years. Stationed in the Philippines, he then served a 13 month tour in Vietnam, earning several Commendations and the Purple Heart.







Navy Career

At 17, Grampy's brother J joined the Naval Reserves. He was in the Navy for 21 years, serving in many places in the world, among them London and Washington, D. C.











1940, George Gilbert Nickerson, my father, and Allan Trout, my mother's brother, soon to be brothers-in-law. Both joined the Army and were sent to the Panama Canal.











Dad was so tall and handsome, he was assigned as an Army Recruiter.














World War II

1944, Merrill Frost was drafted into the Army at age 35, leaving 5 dependents. One of so many young families separated by war.

Photo: Merrill, Frances and baby J.










1945, J and Grampy, two sweet little dependents in a military photo to send to Daddy, so far away.









World War II

1944, this photo was given to Merrill Frost's parents and wife, both large and wallet size, to display while he was overseas.











World War II

1945, Merrill Frost spent the entire year in the Philippines. His brother-in-law Don Pike also served there.
















World War II

Rob's Uncle A Pike joined the Merchant Marines at a very young age.






World War II
July, 1941, Donald Pike, like his father, was married in an Army uniform.
Grampy's Grandmother Alice Pike with 4 of her 5 children. A was away serving in the Merchant Marines, the twins are on the ends and Frances is on her mother's right.





World War II

1942, Grampy with his Uncle Don.










World War II

Don Pike and wife on the Pike farm in West Paris. He served in the Philippines.












1927, Merrill Frost spent a month in the summer after his high school graduation in a Citizens Military Training Camp held at Fort McKinley in Portland, ME.















World War I, Canada

Grampy's great-uncle Charles Jessome joined the Canadian Army in Nova Scotia. After the war ended, he moved to the US and spent the rest of his life in the Coast Guard.

Photo: 1946













World War I

1917, F. Leroy Trout was drafted into the Army, and served as a nurse.












World War I

1919, Eben Pike wore his Army uniform in this wedding photo.
















World War I

1918, Eben Pike was drafted into the Army. He was a Private in the 1st Depot Brigade.












Riddle answer: A secret