My grandfather served in the military in WWI. At some time after he came home, he needed a job.
He walked into the county offices in Duluth, Minnesota and told the clerk that he was there to apply for a job.
Grandpa was told there were no openings at the time. He replied, “That’s okay. I will just wait here until there is a job.”
He sat in the waiting area all day. He returned the next day and the next day. At the end of the third day, he was told that he was so tenacious, they would find him work.
They did.
He became the first Veterans’ Service Officer in St. Louis County, in Duluth, Minnesota.
Today, his great-grandson (my nephew) left home for his tour of duty in Afghanistan. My heart is filled with gratitude and anxiety.
I only hope that when my nephew comes home, he will have someone like his great-grandfather there to help him, if he needs it.
(S-R archives photo)
Spokesman-Review features writer Rebecca Nappi, along with Catherine Johnston, an Olympia, Wash., writer who works in hospital administration, write about issues of grief when facing serious illness, dying, death and other forms of loss.
Ask a question: Rebecca and Catherine answer grief questions in their syndicated EndNotes column for McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. Email them at endnotescolumn@gmail.com.
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