On Memorial Day the Medlarclan stayed at home. I had wanted to plan something special for my girls. Such as planting US flags next to the gravestones of Veterans buried at the local cemetery in Olivehurst. I called the local Scouts and even the cemetery itself to find out if anyone had plans to place flags. To my surprise the Scouts had not and the cemetery did not even call me back. I thought we could go on a hike or take the girls swimming at the creek in Spenceville Wildlife Area. We ended up just staying at home. I did some things I had been putting off. Nothing major. I mowed the lawn, fixed the sprinkler system and set up the trampoline for the girls. The girls watched movies, jumped on the trampoline, ran through the sprinklers and played with their friends. I decided to find out more about the Veterans we had on both sides of our family.
On my Dad's side, my Grandfather, Harry Reid Medlar, served in the Navy as a Machinist (I believe) during WWII and the Korean war. My Great, Great Grandfather (Dad's, Mother's, Father's Dad), Reed Iddings McCarter, served in the Army as a volunteer in the Kansas 19th Calvary Regiment. Their orders were to ward off guerrillas from Missouri. He later became a firefighter in Topeka, KS and was a sharpshooter (probably in a local shooting club). Jeremy Medlar, my cousin served in the Navy.
On my Mom's side, my Grandfather Watson Talcott, served in the Navy as a Radio Operator during WWII. My Great Uncle, Neil Talcott, served in the Army as an Infantryman during WWII in the European Theater. One Great Grandfather, Talcott served in the Army as a Medic (I don't know specifics yet, But I believe it was during WWI. Where?) Another Great Grandfather, Messing served in the Army as an Artilleryman during WWI. I don't know where either. Mr. Bill (Aunt Lissa's ex-husband) served in the Army as a Door Gunner on a Huey helicopter in Vietnam. His son Sean Otto served in the Navy.
We also have Family members currently serving in the Armed Forces. William Otto serves in the Navy and is currently in Korea. Henry Bird serves in the Navy in the Medical field in Washington State.
I hope to get copies of pictures from relatives of all our Veterans, especially those who have passed on. I want to be able to share their stories with my family and help them to be interested in their family history.
