Bound by blood

A remembrance of soldiers we love

Every weekday, we sit at our desks and sling words and pictures. Hard to believe that just a couple generations ago, our relatives fought to preserve our way of life. Today is Veterans Day, and this is our memorial.

Word of advice: read all the way to the end so you can learn the story of Edward J. Paluch.

Bethany, designer

My grandfather, Berverly Carroll Melanson, served domestically in the Army Air Force as an engineer during World War II. He repaired fighter planes. My other grandfather, Robert Sharp, served in the South Pacific as a Marine in World War II. My Great Uncle Bradley Hogue Jr. served in the Navy aboard a ship in the Pacific during World War II. My Great Grandfather William Penn Melanson served in the Army during World War I. And lastly, one of my closest friends is currently in flight school for the Navy.

On the other side of all this, I studied abroad for a year, living with a family in Munich, and have to this day a very strong relationship with my Opa, who served against his will, at the age of 18 as a German pilot in World War II. He lost all of his brothers to the German army, and though he is not a US veteran, I always think of him, too.

Jason, copywriter

My grandfather Frank Kronewitter was in the Navy during WWII along with his brother Bob. His other brothers, Pat and John were in the Army. My grandfather was stationed in Baltimore, but we think his brothers saw action.

Luke, copywriter

Staff Sergeant Norman Solderholm was my maternal grandfather. He was wounded in combat but returned home and built his family, much to my elation. I was given the middle name Norman in his honor.

Mark, executive creative director

My dad and three of his brothers served in WWll. His youngest brother ended up a lifer in the Air Force. This uncle then influenced my brother Joe, who also became an AIr Force lifer and a colonel. The military has been a conversation in my family always.

Sharon, creative director

My mom had four other brothers (Clem, George, Cletus, Linus) serving in WWII when her brother Sam lied about his age so he could sign up for the navy. It was toward the end of the war, so he never got in on the action. I think that always kind of bugged Uncle Sam.

Susan, executive creative director

My father-in-law was a navigator on a WWII bomber. After being shot down over Germany, he ended up in Stalag Luft 3, the prison camp from the movie The Great Escape. While he was being processed into the camp, he decided to show his defiance by smiling as big as he could for his Camp ID photo. When the camp was liberated at the end of the war, he broke into the office and stole his file, including an amazing picture of himself, looking disheveled and tired, but grinning from ear to ear.

Edward J. Paluch, AAF — 1918 — 1979