xtcian

it's a long way to tipperary

11/10/08

This Veteran's Day I'd like to thank Tessa's grandfather ("Paw-Paw") Paul W. Tessman, for not only fighting in the Battle of the Bulge through the forests of Ardennes, but making it back in one piece to be a father to Sandy and an emotional anchor for Tessa. So traumatized by war, Paul – at around 6'3" – became a gentle giant, not even interested in driving the family car, finding gentle respite in his woodshop, making gorgeous hand-crafted toys and furniture for the family.

An amazing fellow who died having not told half of the harrowing tales he'd survived. On January 10, 1945, while in the village of Kappel, France, he wrote a poem – part of which I scanned several years ago:

That "someone dear"? Lucille Tessman, our Lucy's namesake. Here's to you, sir.