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Sugar Lump Studios

Art by Nancy Maxwell James

{Brother’s Serving the U.S.A.}

August 6, 2007

This is an album I have been working on since April. It has the history of my Dad, and his two brothers during the years serving in World War II. I made pockets in the album to hold documents from that time (discharge papers, draft letters etc.) My hope was to record the history of 3 brother’s that served the U.S.A.

Love in the time of war is not fair. Waiting and watching your son’s
leave for war is heartbreaking. Sometimes all you can do is put a knot in your faith and hang on. This was my Grandmother’s life during 1941-1944. Her three son’s James, Jack and Stewart would serve in the United States Army and were stationed in various parts of the world.

World War II affected the entire Maxwell family. My grandfather Peter Maxwell and my Great Uncle Bob Murray would work in the defense plants. My Grandma Jeanie Maxwell worked at the bomber plant.
My grandparents were immigrants from Scotland who had become U.S. citizens, yet they felt their duty to support their new country.
Even their relatives back in the old country (Scotland) were not facing their son’s going off to war. They felt terrible for my Grandparents.

I am fortunate that my Dad kept a box containing photographs and memorabilia from his days in the service. Dad had shared some of what the box contained years prior with me. Dad was stationed on Saipan during the Japanese surrender. He had taken photos of that historical event and kept them in his little box for years. We had documented basic facts about his days in the Army as well as his older brothers Jack and Jim. But while I milled through his box one day after his death, I found a multitude of family treasures.Uncle Jim’s Bronze Star medal and his original draft letter (in envelope) dating back to September 2, 1941, Various Army roosters, discharge papers and a treasure trove of personal items.

I decided that a album needed to be made of all 3 brothers, their
photographs, memorabilia and historical information. Not only was I blessed to have my Dad’s war mementos, but his two brothers also.
Dad was the youngest of the three musketeers and the last to leave this earth – but I had the basic information on their lives during the war from previous interviews. Within the album I made pocket pages to contain scans of documents for future generations to view.

I am an Army Mom myself, and I am awaiting my son Andrew’s deployment to Iraq. I am dreading this day beyond what words could ever express. Yet, I am proud of my son and try each day to respect his wishes to serve his county. I must remind myself of my own Grandmother saying good-bye and letting go of three son’s during World War II and all the other mother’s who have faced this before me. I wonder how my Grandmother survived all three of her son’s being sent off to war in different parts of the world? How blessed she was to keep the knot in her faith and have all three of her soldier boy’s return home safely after the war was over! Godspeed!

Filed in: Publications • by Sugar Lump Studios • 39 Comments

About Sugar Lump Studios

I am a dabbler. I love to create using all sorts of mediums...pattern papers, stamping, fabric, assemblage, collage, altered art, a never ending smattering of whatever strikes my fancy in whimsical moments. I find creating allows my soul to be fulfilled and love to spend hours in the studio.

Comments

  1. Laurie and Chris

    August 6, 2007 at 4:54 pm

    I love the album. It looks and sounds like a lot of love went into this album. Great job.

    Reply
  2. Louise (KardKrazy)

    August 6, 2007 at 6:27 pm

    Nancy, this album is just amazing. What a treasure to have. I love the way you intertwined the memorabilia with the pictures. The keepsake box is a wonderful touch.

    Reply
  3. Lisa Renéa

    August 6, 2007 at 6:43 pm

    Nancy, What a beautiful book of family history! It's amazing, and truly looks like it was made with love and devotion! TFS

    Reply
  4. Wife2TJ

    August 6, 2007 at 6:53 pm

    WOW! this is absolutely AMAZING!!! I can't even begin to imagine the amount of work you put into this. It will definitely be something to be treasured forever.

    Reply
  5. reflections:0)

    August 6, 2007 at 7:30 pm

    This is just awesome…:0)

    reflections:0)

    Reply
  6. Mary-Beth

    August 6, 2007 at 9:06 pm

    Nancy, this is absolutely amazing and such a treasure.

    Thank you for sharing all the wonderful memories, thoughts and fears. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as one of your son's is awaiting deployment. I pray an end will come soon to the war, all wars!

    God bless!!!!!

    Reply
  7. Sandy

    August 6, 2007 at 9:29 pm

    Oh, this makes me get teary just looking at it…I love all you have done with this.

    Reply
  8. Sylvie :)

    August 6, 2007 at 11:19 pm

    FAntastic project Nancy !!! each page is great !

    Reply
  9. Aud

    August 7, 2007 at 1:05 am

    Oh, Nancy, this is just beautiful!The album is a real trasure in a box!

    I got tears in my eyes when I read what you wrote, about your grandmother having to see her sons go off to th war… I'm a mother of 3 boys too, and can't even begin to imagine how she must have been feeling all those years.

    I hope your son's stay in Iraq will go fast and without any 'bad events' – he will just have to keep up the family tradition, and come back home safely!

    Reply
  10. Jamie

    August 7, 2007 at 1:59 am

    Nancy this is just a fabulous Treasure. What an incredible testament to your family's dedication to this country. Past and Present. I see that Andrew is one of a long line of brave men. I am keeping him and you in my thoughts daily. Love, Jamie

    Reply
  11. Chris

    August 7, 2007 at 2:23 am

    Nancy this is amazing… I just love your stories behind your pictures… they really paint a picture for us!!
    It must have been so very difficult for your grandmother… as it is for you with your son. I hope that the time he is away flies quickly and that he returns to you safe, well and happy :)

    Reply
  12. Rein

    August 7, 2007 at 2:34 am

    Gorgeous work Nancy,
    love your album in a box!

    Reply
  13. Hermine

    August 7, 2007 at 2:42 am

    I am speechless, so beautiful

    Reply
  14. Cora

    August 7, 2007 at 3:31 am

    Nancy,
    Amazing! The photos are wonderful and all the information.

    Reply
  15. Paula

    August 7, 2007 at 5:28 am

    Nancy, this is beautiful! What a wonderful tribute to your Dad and uncles!

    Reply
  16. Tracy

    August 7, 2007 at 6:45 am

    nancy – i just saw this album on 2peas and wanted to read more about it so i headed on over here. its just a gorgeous book. i can't get over the beautiful photos of your dad and uncles – they're just wonderful pics – such handsome sweet faces. You must feel so fortunate to have all these treasures and i'm sure they'd be proud of what you have done to remember them and their service. thanks so much for sharing it. you always do such amazing work.

    Reply
  17. Godelieve

    August 7, 2007 at 7:30 am

    You made something very special again Nancy! It is just gorgeous, heartfelt, beautiful!
    Sending good thoughts to you and your family!! The past and the future must be on your mind a lot…

    Reply
  18. Tami B.

    August 7, 2007 at 7:35 am

    What a heartfelt record of your family's journey. I am touched by your tender stories and your amazing courage.

    Reply
  19. Sue McGettigan

    August 7, 2007 at 8:24 am

    Nancy this is just so fabulous – what an amazing heritage project! I love the whole thing – photos, documents, background information, it's really a treasure.

    As for you and your army son, I keep you in my prayers at all times.

    Reply
  20. Anonymous

    August 7, 2007 at 9:08 am

    Nancy, what a Masterpiece! This is truly a treasure that will be cherished for many years to come. No one can do these things quite the way you do. Hugs. Glinda

    Reply
  21. DymphieM

    August 7, 2007 at 1:23 pm

    Your work is always so special. Thanks for sharing all your family stories.

    Reply
  22. Dawn

    August 7, 2007 at 3:42 pm

    Oh my goodness Nancy this is AMAZING!! What a gift you have (in all senses of the word!) Your story was very moving to read.

    take care,
    Dawn

    Reply
  23. mum-on-the-run

    August 7, 2007 at 4:53 pm

    This is just fantastic. Amazing! Truly a labour of love. I loved reading all your journalling.

    Reply
  24. joanne wardle

    August 7, 2007 at 5:49 pm

    what an amazing album. so much work!!

    Reply
  25. Debbi (no 'e' on the end)

    August 7, 2007 at 7:06 pm

    Nancy….you did an awesome job on this. What a labour of love this is….it will definately be in the family for years & years to come. Thank you so much for sharing this with all of us.

    Reply
  26. Susan Tuttle

    August 7, 2007 at 8:54 pm

    Hi Nancy,
    Your book is so beautiful and touching–I really enjoyed looking at the photos. I can only imagine how you feel as you await your son's deployment. I promise to keep you and your family in my thoughts.

    Susan
    xo

    Reply
  27. Jennifer

    August 8, 2007 at 3:31 am

    Nancy this is such a treasure. Absolutely a wonderful treasure!

    I have a son serving his 2nd tour in Iraq right now and I know and feel your thoughts and emotions daily.

    Reply
  28. Greensleeves

    August 8, 2007 at 9:05 am

    What a gorgeous album, so elegant and truly special. A fab family treasure.

    Reply
  29. Deborah March

    August 8, 2007 at 8:22 pm

    Outstanding, astounding, simply and heartfully perfect. You ARE your family's historian.

    Reply
  30. audrey h.

    August 8, 2007 at 9:51 pm

    Wow, you always amaze me. This is so stunning. I keep looking at it and finding little details that I missed before.

    Reply
  31. Viola

    August 9, 2007 at 8:09 am

    WOW, Nancy, this is so fantastic! Love, love, love it!!!!!

    Reply
  32. kathywas

    August 9, 2007 at 1:09 pm

    What a beautiful album and such a powerful post! You are so blessed to have collected all of this information prior to your Dad's passing. I only regret that I did not do the same. My Dad so often wanted to talk about the war, but as my sons were so young at the time, I had no interest in listening. They soon grew up and my father no longer remembered, or brought up, those old stories anymore.

    This album will serve as a beautiful tribute to pass on to your son. What a wonderful way for him to share memories of his grandfather and brothers since they all share this common bond of protecting our country and its independence. I couldn't think of a better honor.

    Reply
  33. Emilia

    August 9, 2007 at 9:46 pm

    I am very touched with this post. I admire how brave your Grandmom was and appreciate you & Andrew too!
    Love this post! and love this albumn!! You are just so great!

    Reply
  34. Kathi

    August 10, 2007 at 9:19 pm

    That's an amazing album. Wonderful job. What a treasure for your family!

    Reply
  35. Petra

    August 13, 2007 at 4:37 am

    This is a great album with so much memories! You made each page really wonderful!
    I´m a sister-in-law from 2 british soldiers. I know the care about it. But you are the mother…it´s harder than anything!

    Reply
  36. Mélanie

    August 13, 2007 at 4:54 am

    I love this album . And this post reminds me that thank to our american friends and brothers we are still french .
    They help us so much.
    Mélanie xx

    Reply
  37. Sarah

    August 13, 2007 at 1:12 pm

    wow absolutely stunning!!!

    Reply
  38. Lana

    August 15, 2007 at 1:26 am

    Wow! Just catching up with blogs and this is amazing! What a fitting tribute! I am inspired!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. {A Soldier’s Sacrifice} says:
    May 30, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    […] This post was originally made here: http://sugarlumpstudios.com/?p=181 […]

    Reply

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