What Lizzy Discovered Within Her Grandfather's WWII Love Letters

Last night, I dove headfirst into a treasure trove of history nestled within my Poppy's love letters to my YiaYia from the depths of World War II.

My Poppy's name is Jack Eastman.

Within the romantic letters, I uncovered an emotional discovery: a speech written by Poppy. The speech was prompted by his recognition with the prestigious "Service to Mankind Award," given by the Sertoma Club in Pennsylvania.

Imagine this. A man who didn't receive a full formal education beyond the 9th grade, yet his words flowed with such grace and depth, which to me is a testament to his relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Mommy told me that Poppy was a man that was armed with nothing but determination. For example, he would sit down and read the dictionary for hours on end to learn more.

So as I was reading this speech, I was awestruck by not only how he wrote, but also the magnitude of what he has achieved.

I knew that my grandfather was a singular man who did so many great things for people, but he was very humble because he did not share everything.

Poppy's endeavors reached realms of politics and community service, where he was invited to presidential inaugurations and talking with titans of leadership.

Each word revealed a bit of his legacy.

I posted a video of what I found on my personal Facebook page. I apologize for the robe, but it's what I wear when I'm home.

Here's the big revelation that dropped my heart. Poppy was in the world of broadcasting. I thought I was the only one in my family in this industry. I screamed, jumped up and down, and was filled with pride.

I also found a framed photograph from NBC's American broadcasting event. What I saw in that black and white photo was a youthful Poppy beaming with pride in his suit with his colleagues on stage.

In that moment, I realized that radio and broadcasting pulses through my Elizabeth veins.
Knowing your roots is important. Why? Because within that knowledge sits the blueprint of our identities and potential.

So by sharing Poppy's story, I not only honor his legacy, but also get to show you fragments of myself. Those fragments also show me my capabilities. I've always had a deep hunger for life and a fire within my belly, and I know more of where that comes from now.

Who knows? Maybe my son will be part of another generation that follows in these footsteps. Whatever he does, I know that Eastman blood is pulsing through his veins, giving him and all future descendants of our family a hunger for life as well.