The holidays are a time for family; not just the family you’ve met but everyone who’s had a hand in shaping the lovely faces gathered around your dinner table. I’ve always heard stories about my great-grandfather (whom my father had never met). So with the help of the internet and countless online archives and digital databases, I was able to track down and compile my great-grandfather’s complete history.

I spent about two months putting together a timeline of his life. It turned out my great-grandfather was a decorated WWII paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. On Christmas, my dad not only received a long lost photo of his grandfather, but also a map of Europe that mapped out his travels during the war. He probably wouldn’t like me telling you this but he cried the moment he unwrapped the frame. That’s right, my gift was so good my own dad cried. I’m pretty sure that makes me like an expert gift giver.

Now, every holiday as we gather to make merry, I always feel good knowing that I bridged a forgotten gap in our family tree and that a member of the “Greatest Generation” just happens to be a member of my family.

Thank you for your service, PFC-Dwight Lucine Spotswood, 82nd Airborne-504 PIR

Learn more about Charming Liars and listen to the song Kiliyan chose for our Chimneyside Chats playlist!

"Please Come Home for Christmas" by Eagles