Lieutenant Colonel James John Derhaag was my grandfather. He was a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, a devoted husband and father, and one of the greatest people I have ever known. He fought for his country in Korea. I don’t really know all the specifics of everything he did. We talked a great deal about his service and his time in the military, but it was mostly just stories about raising his family and making his life in Virginia. He served in the military from 1946-1969. He served in Korea, Vietnam, Germany and various bases in the United States.
He raised four wonderful children. I know them pretty well and they’re all the kind of people I would hope to be at my age. There are four wonderful marriages with 9 grandchildren. All of my aunts and uncles are still together. The youngest grandchild will start college soon. All of us have grown up to be something anyone would be proud of. Because of the man he was, he helped to create a wonderful group of people I know my life’s success has been entirely dependent on.
James "Jim" Derhaag lost most of the use of his right arm in Korea. He always laughed about it because he was left-handed. I never asked whether he was left-handed before Korea. He was the strongest person I’ve ever seen. A month ago, when cancer was ravaging his body, he travelled to Virginia Tech with the family to celebrate my cousin’s wedding
It’s absolutely impossible to describe what this man meant to me. I grew up 5 miles from his house. I never had a babysitter that I can remember because I always went to Nana and Papa’s. He is my model for manhood. If I can grow up to be half the man he was, I will feel I’ve done a darn good job.
He’s with my Nana. They’re together again.