Oct. 22, 2012
To: Susannnah Buckles Flanagan
It's been a while since dad has left us and it seems like only the other day. My warm memories of our visits to Mr. Buckles often reappears and never fades away. My "Lest We Forget" brothers will always cherish our numerous visits that we made to West Virginia to your home to see Frank. We were always greeted cordially and your hospitality will always be fondly remembered and appreciated..
It's amazing when we think of the man that left such a legacy as your father did to all of us. If he could have only shared all of his personal feelings to us "youngsters", it might have included the following thoughts:
"Do all of you realize what it took from the brave men and women I knew and served with throughout the past (almost century)the loving sacrifice and faithful service we all gave through good times and bad? Do all of you realize the uphill climb we all overcame to get this country to what it is today? And finally, do you really realize how so many gave some... but some gave all?"
I'm sure that Mr. Buckles thought about it during his quiet time that he had over the remaining last years of his life. I bet he thought of how far America has come in the past half century... and how many today really don't appreciate what they have in this great country. So much is taken for granted, and blessings are assumed.
Our God in heaven knows how much your father appreciated his country during his too-short of lifetime. God blessed Frank with the Crown of Eternal life. No more earthly pain and suffering.
God bless and keep you, Susannah...God is watching over your dear father now. We'll all see Dad again, someday.. Just know that he is in good hands!
Warm regards and thanks,
Ray Damaske
Stevensville, MI
"Lest We Forget"
Southwest Michigan Chapter