In Remembrance

This is a repost from something I wrote on Nov. 11th, 2011.  I thought it was fitting because today is a day to remember and I want my kids to know that there were brave people in our family who have seen war.  In fact, Dan just told me about his Mom's uncle (?) who was a submariner.  I'm going to have to get that story for next year.  
Let's take that time to offer a prayer of gratitude today and truly feel the abundance of gifts that have been given to us because of their sacrifices.

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Thanks to the veterans, war is not something I will likely know or have to experience in my life.  I will not have to send my son off at the tender age of 18, I will not have to deal with the Post Traumatic Stress Disorder that comes with the service and sacrifice that these brave men and women often face.
Nonetheless, I am grateful.  Today I will remember especially a man I never knew: my great Uncle Mike.  He was my mom's uncle.
Lest we forget


 My information comes from the Saskatchewan Virtual War Memorial

In memory of
Flight Sergeant
Michael Patrick Kimber
who died on 25 Jun 1943

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Service details
Conflict WWII        Service RCAF Unit No. 428 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force Rank Flight Sergeant Service number R98960 Date of death 19430625 Cause of death killed in action
Narrative history
	R98960 Flight Sergeant (No. 428 Ghost Squadron RCAF Halifax air gunner) Michael Patrick Kimber (b.1916) of Blaine Lake was KIA 19430625 in a night bombing run over Wupperthal and is buried at Groesbeek Canadian war cemetery near Nijmegen, Gelderland, Netherlands. He was the son of William Charles, a Boer War veteran, and Exirienne (Turcotte) Kimber. William came from Kent, England, to homestead NW30-35-10-W3 just south of Kinley, later moving to a farm north of Blaine Lake. Michael was farming when he enlisted in 1941, and left a wife Florence (Diehl) and children Doreen, Phyllis and Wayne. Memorial information Saskatchewan rural municipality for commemoration 434 - Blaine Lake Grave or memorial location Groesbeek Canadian war cemetery, Gelderland, Netherlands   Honour roll location(s) Blaine Lake Geo-memorial Kimber Lakes        Geo-memorial location 60.0167°N / 108.3667°W Geo-memorial NTS map reference 75C1 Personal information Date of birth 19160723 Place of birth Kinley   Enlisted on 19410512 Place of enlistment Saskatchewan   Residence on enlistment Blaine Lake   Occupation farmer