Jim left for the Army on July 29 1943. He took his basic training at Fort Oglethorpe Ga.
He was then shipped to the Pacific Theater of War.
I was then 10 years old and understood what was going on and where he was going. One day in school the teacher had us to write a letter to a serviceman. Naturally I chose my brother. We used the Victory letters...some of you might remember them. In the letter I asked him if he would bring me a Japanese rifle home for me when the war was over.
Jim would bring the cow in for our Grandmother to milk, he would get in the water to drink, to bathe and for all of our conviences he would get it. He worked hard for a little 11and 1/3 years old that year. I was 12 and 1/2 as we were 13 months apart.
On one occasion he and I walked the five miles all the way to Duff up where our grandfather was helping build 3 new houses. They are still standing today some 71 years ago this year of 2007 and they look lovely and in good shape.
One of the things that Jim and I did that year will forever as long as I live, live in my memories. We went blackberries picking all alone just the two of us. We liked to be alone just the two of us together. We always had, when we lived with one another with our grandparents in their home. If he wasn't where I could see him, I'd go and hunt for him and he would do the same if he missed me. We were picking away and he had probably filled his bucket and I know mine wasn't quite as full as his was as this was new to me. I am sure that I ate more than I picked.
We made a promise to one another, something that we would for the rest of our lives; remember this day of July 4 of 1936. I've always remembered this day even unto the years that we would be old and white haired. I always did and Jim said that he did too some of the time I am sure, but not all the times because he at age 18 had a war to fight. Fight he did, and he was decorated along with many others. That old Soldier fought bravely for his Country and all that he held dear. But I am sure that I never had a fourth that I didn't think of that 4th of July, 1936 when my little playmate brother and I picked black berries and had once again, each the other, and in that we rejoiced. This is the first 4th of July that I won’t have my brother, Jim, but dear brother, Jim, here I am, Will, and I am going to remember you tomorrow again for those years that have gone by and you became old, gray, bald and sweeter and I became older than you, silver hair, and love you more as the years go by. Like the old soldier you just went on walking towards HOME. Love you Jim, my dearest brother of yesteryear, today and forever live in my heart. Love, Will.
Jims Family
How I wish I could write and put paper to pen.
What could I say? How would I begin?
He was a man, a man of his own.
Even as a child, he acted full grown.
He was brought up by grandparents who were growing old.
He learned early in life to do as he was told.
He helped them dutifully doing the best he could.
He carried in the water, he split the stove wood.
He labored in the garden using a hand hoe.
He planted the seeds and watched them grow.
Many of the chores he did were meant for a man.
But he worked at them with love, said "I'll do all I can."
He fed the milk cow and when she would stray,
He went after her and found her at the end of a long day.
He roamed the beautiful mountains in sweet Tennessee.
He loved the place of his birth and the call to be free.
He loved the outdoors and the feel of fresh soil.
He didn't mind spending many long hours of toil.
He helped anyone when they asked him to.
He knew in his big heart, it was the thing to do.
His education was limited as he worked tirelessly,
One day when he was old enough, he joined the three C (CCC)
He earned more schooling and some money too,
He used the education but what else did he do?
He sent the money home said 'granddad and Maw, this is for you!
In his life up to then he didn't have too much fun,
He joined the Army when WW Two had begun!
Left the mountains he loved and his sweetheart too.
He sailed away on the Pacific so blue.
He fought a good fight and when he came home,
He declared to all again he'd never roam.
He married his only love (Jeanette) and they settled down,
Away up North in Detroit MI Town.
The years slipped away and the children came along,
Jim adored his family and life was a song.
The Brady Family grew Jim Jr. came,
A little brother for Jim Jr, Charley was his name.
Now two little boys were busy at play,
When their only sister arrived one glad day.
They thought that was the end of their happy family,
But there was another brother with darling Bobbie!
Life was good and became better each day,
When Jim Sr. gave his life to His Savior, and began to pray.
What a wonderful life for these parents with children four,
Everyone so happy who could ask for more?
But life has it's good times and sometimes it's bad,
There are circumstances in life that makes us all sad.
With the loss of dear Bobbie seemed so hard to bear,
But the Brady Family stood brave and the Lord did care.
The years passed on and then came that day,
When we all had to surrender to God and lay Jim Sr. away.
One year ago the 12 day of December,
It was a day that we all will remember,
An old warrior who marched onward, his feet were shod.
With the Gospel of Salvation and his faith in God!!!
Written with love and memories and in memory and respect to that Old Soldier who is my brother, Jim. Dedicated to his lovely wife, Jeanette, and her and Jim's children, Jim jr. Charley, Susie, and Bobbie too. To all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
At 7:11 PM on December 8, 2007 almost one year after we lost the Old Soldier but we'll never forget him. No, Never!
Written by his sister
SADIE WILLINE REDNOUR-LOVE
LOVE TO YOU ALL!!!
Well, the war ended and I had never gotten an answer from Jim (he was fighting a war) so I kinda forgot about it. Finally the day came when Big brother came home. Needless to say he didn’t have the Japanese rifle with him. I asked him about it and here is what he told me.
