This year he didn't wait for my call. My phone rang about 10:30 a.m. Recognizing him on caller ID, I answered, “Hi Dad!”

In a clear and happy voice, “Hi, Myrn. They had a show on TV last night about the Eighth Air Force. Did you know they lost the most men during The War?”

“Hey, Dad, you didn't give me a chance to call you first! Happy Veteran's Day!” And he laughed.

We started to talk about the Eighth Air Force, and his house phone rang. I told him I'd wait while he answered it. I could tell it was his sister, and I heard him say, “Thank you.” He quickly came back to me and I said I'd call him later.

And hour later, he was thrilled to tell me that he'd had a couple of calls to thank him for his service. And we went on to have our annual Veteran's Day conversation of memories and pride and gratitude.

“I remember taking the plane across the ocean. It was a brand new B-17. My pilot surprised me and said, 'Howard, you want to take control and fly her?' He told me to keep her on course and left me to fly for a couple of hours.”

Trained as flight engineer he was perched between the pilot and co-pilot, so he knew pretty much what to do. “I saw everything coming at us. I'd have to yell a lot, 'take 'er up, take 'er up!' You know, six eyes are better than four!”

“Miley was a great pilot. After every mission he would always thank me.” Then musing, “I didn't try hard enough to make contact with him after the war. Oh, Miley, I loved you so.”

I suggested that we could try to find him. “It would be such a lovely reunion, even in my condition I'd dance anyway possible!”

We talked about his love for this country, his grandsons and grandson-in-law who've served and of whom he is so proud, and his WWI veteran father-in-law. “Grandpa Slater would never work on Veteran's Day. He said it was his special day. I was proud of him for that!”

“I'm proud of the fact that I could fight for our country. I'm happy to have been a soldier. It’s just a good feeling that I could go out and fight for my country. It brings me a lot of satisfaction.”

“I am blessed! I am so blessed; overwhelmingly blessed!”

And so are we.

Starting my search for Harold Miley today I found an interesting site. Check it out if you like to read about brave men:

Dad's base in England during WWII: http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/gu.php

A history of the 384th Bombardment Group (Heavy): http://384thbombgroup.com/_content/_pages/history.php"

Most of Dad's missions: http://384thbombgroup.com/php/person.php?PersonKey=7871

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. Zephaniah 3:17