Harry Tomsky

When one is asked the question, if you could be one person for a day what person would it be, and why? Most would say a famous athlete or celebrity, not me. My answer is my grandfather Harry Tomsky. He is a World War II veteran, a Yale student and a family man.

In my grandfathers four years of high school all he wanted to do was work hard enough to get accepted to Yale University. Not only would he be the first person in his family to go to Yale by he would be the first person to go to collage. His acceptance letter came and in 1935 he found himself as a Yale University student. A year later my grandfather’s father died suddenly. My grandfather had no choice but to drop out of school take care of his mother and take over the family business. Most people would feel discouraged after having to drop out of Yale, but my grandfather looked at it as a positive experience. He feels that at least he was able to reach his dream and loved the experience. He is still a Yalie at heart he goes to all of the games; he says "He has not missed a home game since 1951." I ask him "Poppy, how come you did not go to the games until 1951?" He said "Matt, it’s because I was in the war."

In 1943 he was drafted into the United States army. He was assigned as a medic. He was very happy to give back to his country that has given him so much. 1944 was the first time he saw the battle field; he was part of General Patton’s army staff, he ran the aid station. He went all over the Europe; he was in France, Germany and Belgium. In 1945 while in Belgium he finally met the Russians at the Ender River. Unfortunately for my grandfather while in Belgium a bomb exploded near where he was and a piece of scrap metal hit him in the leg. He was sent home after that and given the Purple Heart. Last year at my cousin Holly wedding he wore the medal and others that he received on his jacket. There he told me what each meant and the he followed up by saying "Matt one day theses medals will be yours."

Not only is my grandfather a hard worker and a WWII veteran he is also a family man. He is the father of three and the grandfather of eight. To me my grandfather is the core of the family. He sits at the head of the table at holiday dinners and he is what really holds are family together. Whenever I have a question I ask my can always count on my grandfather to answer it. He does not have the knowledge that comes from a text book but the kind that comes form living and experiencing. He is also a very caring man he is always the first person to call me after a big game to find out how I did, this makes me try extra hard so I can tell him that I did well. My family and close friends tell me that I have my grandfather humor and personality. There is no compliment greater then that and I am honored when people say it.

My grandfather accomplishments have taught me the greatest lesson. Work hard and you can achieve your goals whatever they may be. He has and always will be an inspiration to me.