John D. Braaksma Sr.

John and Ruth Braaksma, 1943

As the years have ticked away, much I write about my family is in memorial, having lost both my parents, my sister, a brother, and now on January 31, 2014, my nephew, Ronnie Braaksma senior. Not unlike many families, we were not spared love or heartache.
There were five of us and at times six: Mom, Dad, John Jr., Patricia, David, and my half-sister from Mom's first marriage, Jeanette Herrling. Jeanette was adopted by Dolly and Florence Bradford of Madison, Wis., and was in our lives for visits only — and those separations and reunions through the years were  monumental.
I'm writing in the present and so much of my family life is in the past, memories pictured in photo albums and tucked away in my mind. When I think of my parents, I recall the greatest gifts they gave me, love and approval. Since those are the elements that shaped my life and reside in my heart, I thought I would begin there.
My parents didn't own property or stock until later years, but growing up with their love and approval was priceless. It's really quite remarkable to be surrounded with love and acceptance.
Today, turn on the television for a nano second and you're hit in the face with the continual juxtaposition of one person against another in petty rivalry, second guessing, and finger pointing. We had none of that in our home or family tree. The air was clear.
I think that is the greatest legacy of my Braaksma heritage. Everyone was important to grandpa and grandma. I've heard family members try to lay claim to being the black sheep in the Braaksma family tree, but it usually falls on dim ears because there are no black sheep in our family. All anyone seems to care about is,  "How are you doing?" The well being of the individual trumps deeds done.
That theory hit home during a mother-daughter talk when I was in my 30s. Mom, thinking that I was thinking, I was special since I was such a good girl and a good daughter and therefore had earned some brownie points with her that in fact I had not.
To quote mom, "I know you think I should love you more than your brothers and sisters because you're so good  ... but, I don't." For some reason, Mom thought she needed to apologize to me because she did more for Butch, who had gone rogue, so to speak, than for me.
I was dumbfounded that she felt I was owed an apology for her unconditional love for her son. Fortunately, I learned the family secret years earlier, love trumps all. There are no "good" and "bad" columns within families.

As family goes, the sum of the parts is always greater than the whole, and that pretty much explains my family. I've included a few photos from our family album, simply to mark the years of the John and Ruth Braaksma family and to honor the family they loved.

My father, John, or as he liked to be called, "Big Bad John," and his family -  his mom, Minnie Braaksma, and his nine brothers and sisters. Pictured (back) Harold, Marvin, Ray, Peter Gene, and John Sr.; (middle) Dena (Toots), Ann, and Betty Jane; (front) Donald Wayne, Minnie, and Wally.

 

John D Braaksma Sr. was a PFC in the A Btry 40 2nd FA and served August 28, 1943 -  Jan. 14, 1946. He was deployed to Europe on Sept. 14, 1943. His Enlisted Records shows that he was in two battles/campaigns, Ardennes Rhineland and Central Europe. He was a Gun Crewman, Lt Artillery 344, and earned the Victory Medal American Theater Ribbon European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two bronze battle stars, one overseas service bar, and a good conduct medal. 
He didn't talk, at all, about his service to us children. If it were not for his service medals and photos in the family album, we would not have known he had ever been in the army. I never asked him about his service since it didn't seem to be anything he wanted to talk about. He also had relics from the war that were in storage for years, a German sword and helmet and a ruby ring. We moved many times in Wisconsin and in Illinois, but those items always got packed and were part of our journey. 

John and his brother Wally (Wallace) Braaksma served, evidently, at the same time period and possibly the same campaign(s). John and Wally met up in Tittmoning, Germany, in 1945 (pictured). His brother, Ray also served during WWII as I recall.
The Braaksma's have a long line of military service. Dad, his brothers Harold, Pete (US. Air Force), Ray and Wally served in the Army, followed by several children and grandchildren.

Along came the children ...
 

John Jr., David, and Patricia

Jeanette Herrling

Jean and her three children with Mom and Dad at Uncle Sam and Aunt Ann's farm in Randolph, Wis.

 

 My dad, John Dewey Braaksma Sr.; brother, John Dewey Braaksma Jr.; big sis, Jeannette; and me

Hubby, Darrell, remembers the wall paper on his nursery room: it was chickens and they gave him nightmares. He remembers his Teddy Bear and lots more. I remember nothing of my toddler years.

My earliest memory is grade school, which leaves me wishing I knew more about this family photo with Dad, baby brother John Jr. - always called "Butch" -  big sis, Jean, and me.

I don't think we ever left Wisconsin when I was a child, so I'm sure the photo was taken in the Dairy State. As far as when, there are no leaves anywhere and we were wearing sweaters and jackets, so I am thinking this photo was taken spring or fall 1947.

I love that Dad is sporting a tie and Jean's wearing riding britches. I'm looking like I have some attitude, and Butch has that toddler grin from his new-found skill of walking.

Since I look about three years old, I am thinking Mom was possibly behind the camera and no doubt soon to give birth to my brother David, who was born in December of 1947.

I wish I could hop in a Delorean and zoom back in time because it would be fun to hang out with my family again!