<p style="text-align: center;"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-194" title="My Grandfather, Dale Crank" src="http://giveyoursole.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/grandpa-300x246.jpg" alt="My Grandfather, Dale Crank" width="300" height="246" />Growing up in central Illinois I have numerous fond memories, many include my Grandfather Dale Crank.  Here he is in his Military Police (MP) uniform when he served during WWII.  Larger than life, he always welcomed me and my brother with open arms and usually put us to work when we visited his farm house in Dunlap, Illinois.  The smell of a burning brush pile, a damp basement and his zippo lighter will always be engrained in my memory and take me back to those times together.  My haircut could never be short enough for his military liking and I was always happy to oblige.  </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">I remember the day my mom got the call that he passed.  Grandpa Dale liked his cigarettes and they eventually were the cause of his death. His funeral was something I won't soon forget even though it took place when I was a kid.  Many old veterans standing at attention saluting one of their own.  I can still see one of the men as he raised his shaking hand due to Parkinsons.  Bang! Bang! Bang!..21 times the guns fired and each time my brother and I jumped out of our skin.  The feeling of our loss overtook each of us and as they handed my mother the flag we wept.  </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Many years have passed since that day but the happy memories from our time together are always close by.  Mom volunteers at the local VFW which I think helps her stay connected to Grandpa. Sometimes it is hard to let go, but then again someone so admired should never be far from our hearts.  </p>
<p style="text-align: center;">Happy Memorial Day.  Thank you to those that have served and continue to serve. God Bless.</p>