Thank You, O’Malley Family

For those of you who have read my stuff in the past you know that there is a patriotic streak in me. It’s not the usual “Proud American” puffery that tends to tick off those on the outside looking in. It’s very personal for me. If you are interested in a quick personal story I encourage you to read on. If you are here for Internet marketing thoughts I’ll get back to that next time. I need to write this for Memorial Day weekend and you’ll see why shortly.

I wrote last 4th of July about my grandfather, Frank Ianuzelli, who was killed in World War II at the Battle of the Bulge. He is the reason that I am as patriotic as I am. His sacrifice mirrors the sacrifice of millions of others by death, injury or service to the United States to protect us. It is done regardless of ideological differences at home and today is done voluntarily (my grandfather, like so many others, was drafted into service). I marvel at these people and I thank God Almighty for them.

I always wondered about how my grandfather died because my grandmother didn’t talk to anyone about it. Through the magic of the Internet, however, I was able to contact some men who knew him and were there with him. I received two handwritten letters from these awesome Americans that told virtually the same account of his death so I am satisfied that I know the details.

What I learned later was even more amazing. I received the following e-mail in August of 2004 that has changed me in many ways. Here it is:

Frank,

I am responding to your request for information about your grandfather on the 100th Division website.

My father Francis Murray O’Malley served in the 100th Division with your grandfather, Frank Ianuzelli. While dad was like most veterans of WWII and didn’t talk much about the war, he considered his service an honor, he spoke of your grandfather every Memorial Day. Frank Ianuzelli saved his life.

The winter of 1945 was extremely cold. My dad was on lookout patrol on the night of January 7th. During his watch Frank Ianuzelli came out to my dad and told him to go back to the rear and get some hot coffee. It was during that watch that your grandfather was killed in action.

After dad returned from the war he tried to contact the Ianuzelli family but was unsuccessful. In his later years he told me he really regretted not making contact with your family.

Every Memorial Day dad would go to mass and pray for Frank. Dad passed away a few years ago. I have continued the Memorial Day tradition. Your grandfather has always been considered a hero in the O’Malley family. My sister and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your grandfather.

I now have a wife and three wonderful kids. As they grow up they will learn of their grandfather’s service and the ultimate sacrifice of your grandfather.

My larger extended family talks about Frank Ianuzelli as if he’s a member of our family. We can’t thank your family enough for his service.

A few months ago I was on the WWII Memorial website and sent an email to the customer service address in an effort to contact Frank’s family after seeing his name and photo listed on the memorial page. I didn’t hear anything back and was beginning to think I would not be able to contact any of Frank’s relatives. I received a call today from one of my cousins who was also looking for a contact.

She happened to see your message on the 100th Division website and called me.

I think dad would be pleased that I contacted you. Please feel free to give me a call if you wish.

Regards.
Mike O’Malley

Finally, today, after 5 years of occasional e-mails and almost phone conversations, I spoke with Mike O’Malley. Although we had just a brief conversation I could sense that;

• He is a good man because he cared enough to reach out in honor of my grandfather and his father.
• His family is one of honor because they still think about my grandfather every year.
• His Dad must have been special
• There is a family in this great country that grew in part due to my grandfather’s death and has thrived.

I am so happy today. I have no other explanation for things like this. I don’t believe in fate, chance or luck. I believe in an infinite, all powerful, all loving God who works out all things for good for those who believe. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I believe that despite the craziness of the world we live in that it all going to be OK in ways that I can’t even imagine. Lastly, I believe that my grandfather’s death served a greater purpose that I will not know on this side of Heaven but I got a glimpse of it in talking to Mike.

Thank you, O’Malley family, for giving me a gift all these years that I am finally starting to understand today. May God bless and be with you always. You will never know how much your concern means to me. Now I can relax with the idea that my life changed completely 19 years before I was born and that it will always be OK to miss someone that I never met.

Frank Ianuzelli, I love and miss you so much. Thank you.