A family visit #1 Uncle Les.

One of my earliest memories is being in a playpen when I was about two. It was Thanksgiving and all of the family had gathered.  

I have clear and Vivid memories of family members coming to say hi to me or playing with me briefly while the dinner was prepared

That was the first time that I met my Uncle Les. My grandmother's younger brother. I vividly and very clearly remember him wearing his military dress blues.

He took off his jacket and laid it on a wooden chair and walked over to me in my play pen bent down and said "Hi I'm your Uncle Les. I havent had the chance to meet you yet" 

Uncle Les 

He played with me for a minute before saying good bye. I would see Uncle Les again at Christmas and other holidays. Each time he was dress sharply in his uniform and each time he would say hi to me. Although the interaction became inconsistent, smaller amounts of time.

My family moved from oregon when I was 11.  We didnt see the extended family for years and when we eventually did I was practically an adult. 

All of the middle aged family members I knew as a kid were now greying. The teenagers I remember are now adults with kids of their own.

Several years of family events came and went. We all reunited with family. But where was my Unlce Les?

I asked my parents. 

My dad said "you never met him. Hes dead."

My mom informed me he died in Viet Nam.

10 years before I was even born.

I had a dream this last year. In this dream my Uncle Les instructed me on how to take several film negatives I inherited from my grandma and using my cell phone, make them into photos.

I did. 

Having no idea what the negatives were.

Negative 1.

This is a photo ive never seen before of my Grandma, Great Grandma and Uncle Les.

All three have passed away.

Negative 2.

My Uncle Les's funeral. As far as I know no one has copies of either of these photos.

Negative 3.

His Tombstone.