July 4

Happy Independence Day!  As we celebrate, I pray we would all try very hard to reflect on the cost of our freedom.  It is so easy to take it for granted, yet many gave their lives for it.  During World War II, my grandfather Mclean and his family all served:  two sons were fighter pilots; grandmother was working scientifically...A newspaper article quoted:
When Marvel Pitts became Mrs. D. A. McLean, it appeared she'd have little use for the physics, chemistry and math in which she'd made such an outstanding record at O.U., but Marvel McLean is not one to let talents and abilities dwindle from disuse.  Having reared a fine family and seen two of them off to the war, she wanted to make her own personal contribution to the war.  True, she was already doing considerable Red Cross work and had taught several first aid classes.  But she knew the need was greater.  Under ordinary circumstances she would have felt her place was in her home.  But, with a refresher course and added training she could serve as an instructor and relieve a man for other duty.  So for over a year now the OU graduate whom a fellow student, E.D. Freeman, recalls as a genius in her chosen fields, has been instructing army officers at Sioux Falls, S.D., in physics, chemistry, math and radar.
Grandfather (called big Mac); the same article quoted:
As a veteran of the last War, and as a husband and father with five stakes in this present war, he does just what anyone knowing Mac would know he would do.  He's behind every local movement for the prosecution of the war. 
The article goes on to expain my mother's involvement at the age of eleven...:
Jane McLean has bought war stamps, aided in scrap and conservation drives and a lot of other useful things.  She also helps dad keep house during her summer vacation while mom remains at her post of duty.  Jane stays with her mother and goes to school in South Dakota during the wintertime. 
Betty, the oldest daughter:
...lent substantial assistance in the U.S. Engineer's office at the Frederick, Oklahoma air field until a certain intelligence officer of the 294th Air Bombing Squadron came along.  Now, as Mrs. Frank Wilson, stationed with her husband at Battle Creek, Michigan, she continues to back the three flying members of her family in every way an Army wife can.

Well, that's a little bit of nostalgia from my family.  May God bless your service to America!