My grandfather was a quiet man, easily overlooked. He worked hard to provide for his family of eight children, and they always had enough. He built onto his house, remodeled his basement, and kept a gigantic garden with my grandmother. All this he did while also working his jobs. In the year 1944, when he was 32 years old, working 2 or 3 jobs to support 6 children aged 1-11 years old, my grandfather was drafted. He went without complaint, although he was terribly worried about leaving his family. He had no choice. He was drafted into the Army, the First Battalion of the 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th Infantry Division.
His division first landed in Northern Ireland, but six months and three weeks later they were on Utah Beach, Normandy, France on July 4, 1944. Thankfully, this was a month after D-Day and troops and supplies were being flooded onto the beach, although still taking enemy fire from the air. My grandfather’s division marched and fought all the way from France to Germany and he was wounded twice. Twice. Never complained, never really talked about his time overseas in the Army. He came home and continued with his life, raising a total of 8 remarkable children. He and my grandmother were inseparable. When she had a stroke, he took care of her 24/7 for several years. Even though she could barely talk, my grandfather knew what she was trying to say and what she wanted. He was devastated when she passed away.
Bravery, chivalry and hard work were my grandfather’s guiding principles, and he displayed all these characteristics and more in his quiet, uncomplaining and humble way. He was truly a great man.
Heroes – all who served
our country with bravery,
willing and humble
My grandfather, John Carlson
Copyright ©2026 Lisa Paul. All rights reserved
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This Memorial Day, let us honor what we want to remember. Let our haibun sing our remembrance!
New to haibun? The form consists of one to a few paragraphs of prose—usually written in the present tense—that evoke an experience and are often non-fictional/autobiographical. They may be preceded or followed by one or more haiku—nature-based, using a seasonal image—that complement without directly repeating what the prose stated.
New to dVerse? Here is what you do:
- Write a haibun that alludes to remembrance
- Post it on your personal site/blog.
- Include a link back to dVerse in your post.
- Copy your link onto the Mr. Linky.
- Remember to click the small checkbox about data protection.
- Read and comment on some of your fellow poets’ work.
- Like and leave a comment below if you choose to do so.
- Have fun!
A Little Bit of Everything, With Love 