Today we honor all own those who served this country in the Armed Forces. I am sure everyone here is related or knows someone who has served this great country. The last person in my family to put on a military uniform was my grandfather who joined the Navy during World War II. Below is a picture
of him and Tippy Larkin taken in 1943 at the U.S. Naval Construction Center, Camp Endicott, Davisville, Rhode Island. My grandfather was a professional boxer, ranked #4 welterweight in the world, and is the boxing Hall of Fame. Interestingly his Naval career was cut short when they realized he only had four toes on one foot. He lost his big toe as a kid living in Newark when he pulled the fire escape ladder down and crushed it to where it had to be amputated.
I have worked with Veteran's my whole life. From ironworking, to the Newark fire Department, even into nursing, these were some of the manliest men I have ever known. My probationary class in the Newark was one of the classes that started to fill in as the Vietnam class of 1974 started to retire. They had stomachs lined with iron and balls of steel.
And today I revisit the above picture of United States Marine Bob Popovics. Not only does he deserve all respect for his service but today is his wake following his death on November 1st. The viewing will be today at the Ryan Funeral Home on St. Catherines Blvd in Toms River from 3 -7. Tomorrow is the mass at St. Catherine's Church in Seaside Park at 10 followed by his burial at The Brigadier General William C Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in North Hanover, New Jersey at 1230.