For many generations our family has held fast to our beliefs, and strong moral values guide our decisions. This behavior continues a legacy set by our ancestors. Wherever they lived, whatever they did, they always stuck together and tried to do the right thing. Even if a decision was tough, they followed through.
William Donaldson, my 4th great grandfather, fought for his country and beliefs by serving as a captain in the Revolutionary War. He served well, and was discharged in 1783. He then walked home over 700 miles from New Jersey to his farm in Tennessee. No doubt he could have stayed in New Jersey while he got back on his feet, but family was most important, and he left for home right away. Later, he built a wonderful home for his family in Russellville, Tennessee. The house, as shown in the picture below, is still in good condition over 200 years after it was built, and can even be visited today. Even without written records of William Donaldson’s life, we can see that he loved and cared for his family through his acts of selflessness and service.
Two generations later, another William Donaldson lived in the Russellville house. During his residency, the Civil War swept across America. Living in Tennessee, my great-great grandfather would have been drafted for the Confederate Army. Adamantly opposed to slavery, William temporarily left Tennessee to live in neutral Kentucky to avoid the draft. William had already set free his slaves several years earlier, and must have felt that leaving his family behind for a while was better than supporting slavery.
My grandfather, Frank Donaldson, has greatly added to our family legacy in his own life. His experiences span nearly a century, and he has even published a book about his life titled Glimpses of an Abundant Life. Grandfather learned to fly before he learned to drive. He simply loved being in the air. After receiving his flight training, Grandfather was assigned to train other pilots for combat in WWII. He did not, however, greatly enjoy giving flight training to cadets, and therefore he volunteered as a fighter pilot. Nevertheless he received orders to continue flight training and never saw live combat. Although he may have found training unexciting, I am glad he never faced the dangers of live combat. In the picture below you can see Grandfather with his T6 airplane in Aloe Field, Texas. On August 14, 1945, the war was declared to be over, and Grandfather expressed his delight by doing several barrel rolls and loops over the Texas panhandle.
After the end of the war, Grandfather continued his life as a public servant. He served as a US attorney, an FBI agent, and currently a Sunday school teacher. His legacy is being carried on by his four children who are also devoted to serving the public as lawyers, teachers, therapists, and church volunteers. We are also devoted to building close family relationships. As we serve outwardly and grow relationally, the Donaldson legacy of close-knit family and fighting for our beliefs continues.
Works consulted
Donaldson, Frank. Glimpses of an Abundant Life. N.p.: n.p., 2011. Print.