Curtis Carroll Jack Kemmer

We found out over the weekend that Adam's grandfather, Curtis Carroll Jack Kemmer (whom Andrew is named for) passed away on Saturday.  It was not totally unexpected as he was 88 years old and in recent months his health was failing.  We flew up today to Columbus, Ohio to join the rest of Adam's family and too celebrate the life of Jack with a ceremony on Thursday.  (The kids first flight!)  Adam, and his brother Jon, and his cousin Nathan were all asked to speak briefly at the funeral and to be palbearers for the military burial.  Adam was asked to speak about Grandpa in regards to war and I love these sweet words that he is planning to say to honor his Grandfather at the funeral.

"Grandpa contained a wealth of knowledge.  One of his favorite things to do was to tell stories with us.  He would tell stories of the farm, family and just life.  Some of his best and most captivating stories were from his time in the Army during World War II.  Being part of and a veteran of World War II was something that truly defined Grandpa and his character.  It made him into the man he was until the day he passed.  He was abundantly proud of his heritage and service to this nation which we are all grateful for.  Grandpa was a member of the US Army and served in the Pacific.  He was a part of one of the most pivotal battles of World War II in the battle of Okinawa.  This battle featured the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific.  The goal of the allies was to use Okinawa as their base for air operations for a planned invasion of the Japanese mainland (that ultimately was not needed).  The battle resulted in the highest number of casualties in the Pacific theater during World War II.  Japan lost over 100,000 troops and the Allies suffered over 50,000 casualties.  The battle lasted 82 days and just weeks after it ended, the Japanese surrendered.  As a result of his bravery and honorable service, Grandpa was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.  He is a hero to all of us, especially to me.  I cannot begin to fathom the strength and courage necessary to be in the military and go to war, but I do know what the source of his strength was.  Psalm 144:1-2 says, “Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle; He is my steadfast love and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples under me.”  Grandpa went to war, not on his own strength, but relying on the strength of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I will never know the strength and courage it took for Grandpa to go to war.  But I will never forget what he taught me through his life.  Because of all this we wanted to honor Grandpa by naming our son after him, Andrew Curtis Dyer.  We named him Andrew because in Greek, Andrew means “manly, warrior, courageous, and strong”.  Grandpa was all of these.  We named him Curtis after Grandpa, Curtis Carroll Jack Kemmer.  Grandpa loved meeting and spending time with his namesake.  He preferred to call him Curt.  Also, before Andrew’s hair grew in, they looked remarkably alike.  My prayer is that Andrew would also be like his great grandfather, strong and hard-working - that he would persevere through adversity and not give up.  I pray that he would find his strength not in his own abilities or wisdom but only in Christ, just as Grandpa did.  Grandpa was a great man and one of my heroes.  I pray that his legacy lives on in our son Andrew.