20. Talk about your grandfather and some of the things he did in WW2.
discuss in detail. great story here.
Back when I was 13, my Dad took my Brother and I to the Philippines for
the 1st time to visit his side of the family. In the Philippines you
call your Grandfather and Grandmother Lolo and Lola. You also take
their hand and touch it to your forehead out of respect. The elderly
are respected a great deal over there, as it should be.
So, our Lolo Ramon
picks us up at the airport and right away we get escorted out of the
airport, skip customs, and go straight to his car, where the driver is
waiting for us.. My Lolo was a very powerful man over there, as he was
a retired Brigadier General and knew a lot of people in high places. He
went to the same military academy as former Presidents, Marcos and Ramos
and he knows all of them. While he was very loving, you could also see a serious side to him.
Anyways, my Brother and I are kicking back at their house in Manila and
notice this samurai sword on the mantle. We ask if we can see it, and
my Lolo says to be very careful with it, as it is from World War Two.
At the time, we didn't know the full story of why it was there. I can't
exactly remember when we found out, but one day at home in San Diego, my
Dad shows me a history book and how the Japanese tried to invade the
islands during World War Two. During this time, there had been intesnse
fighting in the Southern Province of Iloilo City and my Lolo was
present. He was a Major at the Japanese were about to surrender. After
some negotiations with the US Commander, they decided to surrender. My
Lolo accepted the sword from the Japanese and this was the same sword I
had seen in the living room, back when I was 13 years old.
Here are pics straight from the pages of the book, the sword, and pics of
me and my Brother with my Lolo, Brigadier General Ramon Gelvezon. My Brother James, is in the top photos and I am in the bottom 2. I am 22 years old in the 2nd one and 13 years old in the last one.
I should note, that my Lolo's military history has not always been stellar. When he was at the academy, as a young cadet, he was involved in a love triangle. The girl ended up getting killed by an angry ex-boyfriend and my Lolo was distraught. His grades suffered and he was somewhat of a scapegoat. In the end, he ended up coming out of it and rose in ranks. It is a classic story of hitting bottom and then excelling all the way to the top. Along with my Father, my Lolo is my hero.