For Robert

In celebration of Veterans Day and all the brave soldiers who have served our country, I want to celebrate my grandfather Robert Flowers! He served as a staff seargent in World War II and fought in key battles. He never talked about it his experiences but after interviewing him for a college Historic Textiles Project, I quickly understood why. The things he saw and endured were beyond belief and I remember him telling me that even after the war was over and he came home, he would still hide under his bed when he heard planes fly overhead. He told me stories about how they ate bugs to kill starvation and the horrific smells he experienced clearing out concentration camps. As you could imagine, war changed his life and faith significantly. But even after everything he saw and experienced in Europe, he was still the friendliest, most loving person you could ever meet!

Robert Flowers and a friend in Germany

As previously stated, this interview was for the purpose of my Historic Textiles Project where we had to find a historic artifact in Colorado State University's Textile preservation closet and link it to our own history. I knew once I saw this Eisenhower Jacket that I was going to interview my grampa!

We were also required to share any interesting take aways and what the culture was like during that time period. I was able to share a vintage postcard that belonged to my grandfather and a Nazi Dagger that he brought back, which is pictured below!

For the full interview with my grandfather, read below.

On December 23, 1945, he was honorably discharged and came back home to Colorado where he got married and had a daughter. He and my grandmother later adopted more kids and though he still suffered major losses and health issues, he always seemed like a happy person. I was so lucky to get to interview him. I had no idea what he had been through and had I never asked, he would have never told me. Even years later, I think he still questioned his faith but right before his passing, he was seeing angels in his hospital room so I can only imagine that he went to a better place, despite his feelings about what happened during the war.

My family celebrates his memory every time we come together and we tell our favorite stories and incorporate his typical sayings into our everyday conversations. One of his most well known quotes is "Hang Tough"! I suspect that is what they told one another during the war and it never left him. It will also never leave me.

Please pay your respects and give thanks to our troops and vets! They need all the love they can get and for fighting for our country, they deserve even more!

Happy Veterans Day my loves,

Micole Elise