My Great Great Grandparents,
Mary and Luman Walker LeMaster, Jr
My Great Great Grandpa Luman was shot right
through the left breast while fighting the Civil War in
Tennessee in 1863 as a volunteer
when he was 21 years old.
The bullet went through his first and second ribs on
his left side and lodged within the thorax.
He spent months in 2 hospitals before being
discharged with 1/2 disability.
He then met and married Mary Keziah Chew who was
the daughter of Dr. Ezekiel Cooper Chew.
Some of us have wondered through the years if Dr.
Chew was helping treat Luman's wounds, and that is
how he met Dr. Chew's daughter Mary.
We can only guess.
What I do know, is if Luman had not survived that
gunshot wound so close to his heart,
my grandmother and my mother
would never have been born.
I would not be here.
My children would not be here.
Neither would my grandchildren.
And all of my loved daughters in law
would not be in our family.
My nieces and nephews and their children
would not be here.
The list goes on and on.
I just don't believe we are all here by chance of one
bullet, and which way it landed.
I know our Father in Heaven is in charge.
The older I get the less I believe in
chance and coincidences.
Someday I will get to thank my Great Great Grandpa
Luman LeMaster for his service. I will also thank him
for fighting to stay alive.
We owe our lives and happiness
in many ways to our Veterans.