Our Great Inheritance: Comes into the Present as a Child of Europe (Part 1)

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In a speech at the Munich Conference, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed America's ties to Europe, describing the U.S. as a "child of Europe." The author then delves into their own family history, tracing their lineage back to the early 1700s in Virginia and Tennessee, and uncovering details about their grandfather's work during World War II. The article also explores the complexities and challenges of genealogical research, noting the difficulties in verifying information and distinguishing between individuals with similar names.

Why it matters

The article explores the deep historical and cultural connections between the United States and Europe, highlighting the shared heritage and the importance of understanding one's roots. It also sheds light on the complexities of genealogical research and the challenges in accurately tracing one's family history.

The details

The author discusses their research into their family history, including their mother's marriage, their biological father's background, and their grandfather's work as a contractor for Hardaway (Creighton) Construction, which helped build Camp Forrest in Tennessee during World War II. The article also explores the author's maternal grandfather's service in World War II and their grandmother's Koepl family lineage, tracing back to Alsace, France.

• In 1940, the author's grandfather, George Lee Powers, was 31 years old, just before the start of World War II.
• The author's grandfather, William Clark Jr., landed on Okinawa during World War II.
• The author's great-grandmother, Anna Lovell Parkhurst, died in 1918, just two days before Christmas, at the age of 43.