A Very Special Recognition for a Very Special Person

On Tuesday, May 11, 2010 the State of Connecticut honored Danbury Veterans from World War II through all the wars since with a Wartime Service Medal Ceremony. My Dad, William E. Grandison was among those honored for his service.

The ceremony started with a snare drum fanfare played by Jack Riley of the Danbury High School Marching Band.

The Danbury AJROTC presented the Colors.



There were distinguished speakers amidst a dramatic backdrop.

Senator Michael McLachlan gave the introduction and....
Representative Janice Giegler gave the welcoming remarks. It was she who was at the forefront of arranging for this event and the awards.

Commissioner Linda Schwartz, an Air Force Nurse who served in the Viet Nam War, spoke eloquently of the importance that our veterans tell the stories of their experiences so they can be recorded and handed down to the generations.

My Dad, on the right, finally told me a story last year of one of his experiences during the Battle of the Bulge.

He left for France, Belgium, and Germany when he was only 19 years old. He spent from October 1944 to June 1945, serving in the campaigns through Rhineland, Ardennes, and Central Europe. He landed on October 23 1944 in Omaha Beach Head. His main responsibility was to operate an anti-aircraft artillery half track. He served with the 563D AAA, 9th US Army, 1st US Army, 49th AAA Brigade, XVIII Corps (AB), III Corp, VII Corps, 11th AAA Group, 16th AAA Group, and 103rd AAA Group. During the Battle of the Bulge, Hitler's forces were trying to blow up all the bridges crossing the Rhine before the American forces could cross them to secure territory. The final remaining bridge over that river was the Bridge at Remagen and the Americans needed reinforcements to maintain that bridge in their control. My Dad's commanding officer asked for two men to volunteer to drive the relief troops to the bridge location to help to secure the territory. It was his act of volunteerism and valor that helped to turn the tide of the Battle of the Bulge.

When my Daddy told me that story I gave him the biggest hug I had ever given him and told him that I always knew he was my hero but that I didn't know he was everyone else's too. His response was one of complete humility as though it was nothing special.

Daddy I am so proud of you as are my sister, Jamie, and our mom, Bruna.
We love you Dad!