Memorial Day is a time for Americans to remember and appreciate the heroes who paid the ultimate price for freedom.
I was going through Dad's photos after he died, and happened across an old photo album filled with pictures from the 1940's ... among them were 3 pictures of a man named "Tiny".
I remember Dad talking about Tiny - he was his cousin and best friend. They were closer than brothers ... and in fact were born just 2 days apart! But Tiny was "killed in the war" (WWII). While Dad was being held as a prisoner of war.
Tiny was known by many names ...
Tiny Martin
Percy Martin
Percy O. Martin
Percy Orson Martin
Percy Orcin Martin
Brother
Cousin
Friend
Son
Marine
This is Tiny's headstone, courtesy of "Find-A-Grave".
It doesn't tell much.
Like his nickname "Tiny". I'm sorry I never asked Dad about that one! "Tiny" was, by all accounts, a fairly large man!!!
Or the fact that he died on Iwo Jima during WWII ... only 2 days into the brutal and bloody battle there.
The headstone doesn't show how handsome he was!
How full of fun and life he was.
Or how he loved being a Marine. He even sent Dad a letter teasing him for joining the Army instead.
I never met Tiny - he was killed long before I was born.
But I still sit here with tears in my eyes.
He is a hero to me.
And I'm so glad to have made his acquaintance through the memories of my father.
