Maggie's Farm

Husband's Uncle "Lee" was a prairie boy who ended up serving in the engine room of merchant marine ships during WW II. When asked about his experiences, he would only say that - when the alarm sounded - he was first up the ladder. That I rather doubt.
Canada was slow to acknowledge those who served in the merchant marine were worth of recognition. However, a very belated and rather grudging recognition did come. When Uncle died, his medals were displayed and his bravery recognized. His brother (wounded at Ortona) died not that long later and - again - the wartime record we did not know was recognized. But that's the same for the men of my family; they never spoke of what they saw and did. Some have been buried in the "veteran" section of graveyards; others have their memorial in the memories of their families.