Memorial Day is coming up in a few weeks. Like many Americans, my family tree is full of brave people who served our country. My dad was both Air Force and Army, and both my grandfathers were Navy. My paternal grandfather, George K. Larsen II, gave his life for our country in World War II. He volunteered for a last minute mission, and was shot down in the South Pacific. His body was never found, so he's listed as both MIA and KIA. As a child, I would fantasize that he had parachuted out of the burning plane, and had swam safely to an island, where he now lived out his days in paradise on the beach. Now that I'm all grown up, I sadly know that isn't possible, but I take heart in knowing that his sacrifice (along with many, many others) helped protect our country.
