When is a book more than a book?
Our nation has just observed Veterans Day for the 100th time.
Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the
first anniversary of the end of World War I.
In 1926 Congress passed a resolution for an annual observance
of what would come to be called Veterans day and November 11th
became a national holiday in 1938.
Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day pays tribute to all American
veterans—living or dead—but especially gives thanks to living
veterans who served their country honorably during war or
peacetime.
Over the years individuals and communities have observed
Veterans Day in large and small ways, from lavish parades to the
quiet placing of flags at the graves of men and women who have
made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in service to our
country.
But there have also been countless personal and private tributes
to the fallen that often go unreported or unrecognized outside of a
small group of individuals knowledgeable of the circumstances
around a veteran’s life.
One of those personal tributes is the subject of this week’s book
recommendation.
Ross Greene’s uncle, 2nd Lieutenant Ross W. (Bud) Perrin, Jr.
lost his life in a bombing mission during World War II. Perrin left
behind a widow and a daughter, born just days after he was shot
down.
As a tribute to his uncle and as an act of love to his cousin who
never knew her father, Greene spent seven years and made a
considerable financial investment to introduce his cousin to the
father she never knew.
Greene’s tribute to his late uncle involved reviewing over a
thousand letters between his uncle and aunt during the time he
served our country. Additionally, Greene was able to do
extensive interviews with individuals who served with his uncle
and others who knew him during his formative years.
The result is a journey back in time that that profiles the inspiring
story of one of our country’s unsung heroes.
When is a book more than a book? When it is an act of love.