Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Served

My father, Barry Kellner, shared a beautiful and touching story about my Grandfather, William F. Kellner. William, or "Bill" as people called him, served in WW II and was stationed in the South Pacific.

I am proud of his service and how he helped save people's lives as a Technician in 3rd Grade in the United States Army. {I miss you, Grandpa.}

Estimated reading time: 3 minutes

Memorial Day: Remembering Those Who Served

The following story was written by my father, Barry Kellner:

In the early 1980s, I was living with my wife and daughters at 60 Park Ave in Stoneham. One day I met one of my neighbors, Dave Carney. When I told Dave my name, he asked if I was related to Bill Kellner.
"Yes," I said. "He's my Father."

"Your father saved my life. I wouldn't be standing here if it weren't for him. In the War, I got shot up pretty bad. Your Dad was the first one to find me. He patched me up and got me back to the doctors."

A few days later, I mentioned this to my Father. He just bowed his head, closed his eyes, and said, " Yeah, Dave Carney was a good kid."

I wonder how many "good kids" my Father saved as a medical corpsman during those war years in the South Pacific. I wonder how many he tried to save but couldn't. He once told me, "When a guy was too far gone, all you could do was give him a shot of morphine, if you had it, and comfort him, and pray with him."

My Father rests now with my Mother and Brother in Saint Patrick's Cemetery in Stoneham. I thank him for his selfless service to this country, and I admire and thank him for the courage, kindness, and nobility he displayed during those terrible battles in the South Pacific.

We must never forget them.

-Barry Kellner

Barry Kellner originally shared this story on Facebook on 5/29/2016 and with his permission, I have republished it here on Life's Little Sweets.

Special Thanks to my Father (Thank you Dad!) for allowing me to republish his story of remembrance about my Grandfather, it means a lot to me to read it and I hope it means something to others as well.

How do you remember those who served on Memorial Day?

Do you have a story you would like to share?

What did you do to celebrate Memorial Day?

Please know in the comments below!

• Author
• Recent Posts

Follow me

Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Life’s Little Sweets is a seasonal cooking and local food blog featuring farm-to-table recipes, CSA inspiration, and creative ways to enjoy what’s fresh and in season.

Follow me

Latest posts by Sara Maniez (see all)

• Fall Soup Recipes - October 4, 2025
• Pumpkin Spice Bread - October 2, 2025
• Blueberry Syrup - July 5, 2025