“There are causes worth dying for, but none worth killing for.” ~ Albert Camus
Trying to gather some war stories from the family to document is just like pulling teeth. Inextricable
My first older four siblings, their dad was a World War II soldier. Their dad was my Mother’s first husband. It’s just one of those things that we forget to share family stories especially our parents are no longer on earth.
Today, being Remembrance Day, I want to remember their dad. So I sent out e-mails to them asking to tell me a story about their dad with emphasis on being a soldier.
I learned that he was a Major in the military of United States Armed Forces of the Philippines. His full name is Maximo Abendan Papas descendant of Greek origin. He was a prisoner of war and helped wounded co-soldiers in the concentration camp. Their dad survived and escaped from the famous “Death March”.
Death March happened when the Japanese invaded the Philippines. The Japanese have taken Americans and Filipinos as prisoners in 1942 and made them march 128 km to reach the camp . There were many casualties that even the historians cannot take the full account of the prisoners. War is war: prisoners were treated brutally, full of physical and mental abuse.
Even their dad escaped, he did not escape the disease he contracted during the war and eventually died of lung cancer. He was 36 years old.
My eldest sibling was only four years old when his dad died. At that age, I suppose one has little memory of their biological father. One thing that stood out in their story how they spoke highly of Mother’s second husband, my father. Father was good to them and that he is the Father they know and love.
The rest is history according to my sisters.
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Photographs and Memories 
Your heroes are our heroes. We will not forget.
Never!
Such a touching and beautiful tribute for your brothers. They are so fortunate to have you as their sister!
Thank you, we are fortunate to have one another.
We have no idea what true devotion and bravery is! These are men, whole families that have preserved for us the power to live in freedom and, honoring these exquisite souls! I love your blog! Faithfully Debbie
Debbie, hindsight is 20/20. Blessings to you. Perpetua.
That was beautiful, Perpetua! 🙂
War is terrible and so many people suffer.
Hugs for remembering those who fought and have fallen. Love to you, Paula xxx
A touching and beautiful tribute.
I wish I can squeeze out more from them. Maybe this is good enough. Thank you.
That is a beautiful remembrance and tribute for your brothers. They are very lucky to have you as their sibling.
Hi Colleen, We are so lucky to have our Mother, all in all.
The conditions horrible. And, that he died at such an early age after all he’d endured. Bless his soul. A lovely homage to your older siblings’ father.
Oh, Ms. P. I skipped the gruesome part and soften the story as best I can. I hope this will give their father a rest. Bless his soul. Thank you.
There was a story on the news today about the youngest documented enlisted soldier in WW1 – he was 12… He had died before even his son knew the extent of his story. He just never spoke of it.
Hi J. I suppose it’s difficult to bring up bad memories. I watch war stories from Veterans about PTSD. Sad.
It’s rare to find an interview with one of these WW2 veterans which doesn’t pause, because you can see how vivid, how immediate and real the memories are. I grew up with WW2 stories and you never become desensitised to it. You’re right, it must be an horrendous condition to have. I know how it works, it’s gruesome. It must serve some kind of evolutionary quirk. I don’t know.