Post Script...

My Cousin Dave, who served with the Army in Afghanistan last year, brought up a good point in the comments section:

Obviously Grandpa Dotson was a Vet... but which war did he fight in? And which branch of the military was he in? I have a soft spot in my heart for the old boys who went and fought in WW II. I'd love to hear about were he served and what he did while in the service.


So, from Grandpa's Obituary:

"Simon entered the Army at Fort Lewis, WA on Jan. 18, 1944 and was discharged May 13, 1946 [my mom-in-law was born in June 1947]. He served as a radio operator in the Philippines ending his career as a Tech 4. He was also Chief of Section anti-aircraft weapons, supervising 14 men and supplying 40mm anti--aircraft weapons. He received the Philippines Liberation Medal with one bronze star, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, American Theatre Service Medal, Victory Medal, and of course, the Good Conduct Medal."

Then he came back to podunk Montana and raised three fabulous children and 10 grandkids, operating a Cargill Grain Elevator, fishing, and boating--- my in-laws have great memories of him, even my dad-in-law. They are a really close family, thanks in part, no doubt, to the good man Grandpa Dotson was.