My father has had 2 buildings, and a bridge collapse on him during volunteer fire fighter's work. He's perfectly fine, also he's a Lieutenant.
My Grandfathers on my mother's side, in a row, all owned a very successful mining business in Ukraine. Helped during the war efforts. Owned large parts of Pennsylvania. They are of course deceased, but I have many of their old books and such.
My Father's actual father was a midget Corporal and served in the more recent wars. Has many medals, I have his uniform. He is sadly deceased.
My Uncle, mom's side, has served in the military for about 30 years or so. I cannot remember his rank but he is very high in the rankings. He has been shot in the leg, and blown up in his years of duty. He's now a recruiter with very high respect.
My Cousin, mom's side, the son of the uncle mentioned above. He commands the cannons on many of our major Naval ships. He works in prisons these days beating the stuff out of inmates. And he's in several successful rock bands.
My neighbor, served in WWII with the most impressive story I've heard. He and his pal were on patrol in the snowiest part of the war. His pal was hit in the leg by a random bullet and had to be carried back to base. The patrol path was too long so he took his pal down a road covered in thick snow that lead back to base faster. When he arrived, the whole entire front courtyard stared at him in awe. He asked why they were staring, they explained that he had just walked through an active minefield covered in snow. He was dumbfounded, they saved his pal. He lived to be 94, and a really good friend of my family. His friend is still alive at the age of 89. They told this story to me just a few weeks before my neighbor died.
They are, or were, the most impressive people I've ever met and I find great honor in knowing that I am related to them or have known them.
