The Day That Changed The Ilg's Lives Forever-100 years later

     The day is the 20th of December. It's almost Christmas time. What are you doing? Are you wrapping presents? Are you working? Are you finishing up some last minute shopping? Are you volunteering? Whatever you are doing, you are anticipating the Christmas holiday that is approaching. It's a time of celebration... for most everyone. But to my 2nd great grandma, this would be one of the worst days of her life.
     This year marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, also known as the Great War. The end of the war came with an Armistice that occurred on November 11, 1918. Soon, the boys would be coming home to their families. It was also a time of celebration. This would be the first Christmas after the war. I can imagine my Great Great Grandma Pauline Ilg waiting with great anticipation for news about when her son, William Ilg, would be coming home. Unfortunately, the news she received was not what she was expecting.
     On this day, 100 years ago, Great Great Grandma Pauline learned that her son, Willie, would not be coming home. She would learn that he had been killed in action just three days before the end of the war. How devastating. She would not be able to hug her son again. She would not be able to celebrate Christmas with him. All her dreams of seeing him again were just dashed. Her life would never be the same again. Here is one of the newspaper announcements about his death:

     We all get so caught up in how things don't always go the way we had hoped or planned. Well, maybe this Christmas, we remember that things aren't as bad as they could be. Maybe this Christmas we remember to pray for those who are hurting and are not able celebrate with family. Maybe we hug our family a little tighter this Christmas and be grateful for the time we do have with them. Maybe this Christmas we remember the sacrifices of our ancestors so we are able to celebrate Christmas.

     To my 2nd Great Uncle who gave his life for my freedom, I wish you a Merry Christmas and thank you for your sacrifice. To my 2nd Great Grandma who lost her son right before Christmas, I will never forget your sacrifice as well or the pain you went through.