This will be a little different than most posts because this story is one of my own, one that deserves all the recognition and honor it can possibly get. This is a story about an all American boy who grew up living the American dream. He served his country in the second world war, he raised a family, and he represented everything that America is and always will be in my heart. This is the story of my Great-Grandfather Julius "George" Hoffman. For anyone who ever reads this, please hold a special place in your heart for this man because he was the true definition of a hero, especially to me. Sadly my grandfather passed away on May 6th, 2009, but his memory lives on forever, and his family loves and misses him more than words could ever describe.
He was born on July 15th, 1922 in the Bronx, New York. This is where he would spend the rest of his life, where he would live out his childhood, marry his long time sweetheart, raise a family, and be laid to rest. There is so much more in between these events, I only wish I could write the story of his life one hundred percent accurrate.
My Grandfather was one of the kindest and most humble man you could ever meet. He was your all-American boy who grew up playing baseball, which my Grandma always claimed was his first true love. He played baseball all his life, and was a Brooklyn dodgers, Yankees, and Mets fan. He loved the game and everything about it. When I talked to him about baseball there was this light in his eye that made him smile, he looked so happy and so passionate about the game. He was both a player and manager of his teenage baseball team called "the Wings." I have a picture of his team, it is him and his buddies in their uniforms taking their team photo. I wish I had the chance to talk about his team more with him because the stories he would have told me would be absolutely amazing.
In 1945, right after the war ended and my Grandpa returned home from Guam, he married his childhood sweetheart that he knew and played with since the age of 3, Marie Casario. They were a match made in heaven. Not only were they the perfect couple, they would together build a family that honors and loves them more than anything for generations. If I could truly tell the story of how amazing my grandparents are, I would have written it years ago. My Grandma who is still alive today continues to fill my heart with love, stories, and memories that I will have for the rest of my life. I once told her how proud I am of her for all her support when my Grandpa was sick, and for how she held up and was strong for everyone. she is the grandma that everyone dreams of and wants to be their own, shes just an average woman who lights up anyones life that she has touched.
Together my grandparents had two boys, George and Tommy, who both grew up loving baseball as well along with toy trains, classic movies, childhood sweethearts, and much more. They then started families of their own and thats how I came into the picture a few generations later.
My Grandfather deserves to be honored for living out the American dream and doing it the traditional and honest way.
He grew up in the bronx and always said that it was his home and where he loved to be. that could be one of the reasons why they never went on many vacations far from home. He served for 4 years during World War Two, and he later married the love of his life and started a family. He worked in the post office for over thirty years and was given a pension that he deserved every penny of. When he retired he and my grandma began volunteering in the Bronx Zoo, they would do that for nearly 20 years and my grandma still does that today. she can give a tour of that place better than anyone I know.
I try hard not to think of my Grandpa when he was sick. It was one of the worst periods in my life and I hate knowing that he suffered for so long with his blood disease and cancer. So I remember all the great times I have had with him and all the amazing things that he has done for my family and me. He loved making people happy and he loved to love. He was the most honorable and respectable man I have ever known, and if I had one more chance to talk to him I would tell him that he is my hero, not because he did something drastic to get publicity, but for the fact that he was just himself, my grandpa, my hero and my friend. I know he loved me so much because I could just see it in him everytime we were together.
So before I close out this post, the reason I wrote this is because I feel that everyone in some way is a part of our country's history. I believe that all the war veterans, all the mothers raising families, all the friends, relatives, teachers, mentors, coaches, doctors, and everyone in this country deserve to be thanked for their contributions to society and for simply being them. I honestly feel that love alone is the one thing that can make someone smile and truly happy. I feel that this country in some of the darkest of times has survived out of love and dedication. I want to thank everyone who has told someone in their life that they love them, and I want to especially thank my Great-Grandfather for being the man that he was and always will be. He is a hero.
Rest in Peace Grandpa, I love you.
July 15th, 1922- May 6th, 2009
No comments:
Post a Comment