War orphan touched by widow's story

The signature on an e-mail this week from Robert H. Meek Jr. of Hickory, who was orphaned during World War II, brought tears to my eyes:

"Proud posthumous son and only child of
2LT Robert H Meek
Co-pilot of B-25 7Z “Shirley Ann”
KIA October 19, 1944 over the Magenta Bridge near Milan Italy
At eternal rest in the Sicily Rome American Cemetery Nettuno Italy."

"As we grow into our golden years we still remember our childhoods being different than our friends'," Meek wrote."Our Daddy died in the war. Some of us knew much of our Dads, some knew virtually nothing."

Meek, who is 65, was born five months after his father was killed in action. He is on the board of the American World War II Orphans Network (www.awon.org), which represents the 183,000 children left fatherless by WWII. "We have a common bond and understanding that we do not even share with our spouses," he said.

I've heard from other military family members who, like Meek, are grateful to Elizabeth Woods for sharing her story and bringing attention to the sacrifice of the troops -- and their families.

A local military Chaplain's mother said she hopes the series will lead to a better understanding "about the enormous challenges that military personnel deployed abroad and their families at home encounter daily."

I've learned a lot. I hope you have, too.