Remembering Michael Kokoska
On 29 May 1921, my great grand uncle Michael Kokoska, was permanently buried in Bohemian National Cemetery here in Chicago. He was killed in World War I in France in June 1918 and temporarily buried there. You can view some of his military documents under WWI Record Examples at the WWII Research & Writing Center.
I wrote Michael’s story in my book, Stories of the Lost, in 2014. Many of you may have heard his story, in part, at one of my programs around the U.S. or Europe since 2013.
If you have not heard the emotive end to Michael’s story, told by his father, from my book “Stories of the Lost”, I invite you to watch and listen to the video below.
Listening to our ancestors and bearing witness to what they experienced helps not only them heal, but allows us to heal too. Michael showed up at a time in my life I really needed to heal and be able to move forward. Interestingly he has returned as this time, the shift I am moving through is more drastic and intense. He is here to heal, provide lessons, and love.
My Invitation to You
I invite you to sit and listen to your ancestors. What stories and lessons are they trying to pass on? How does this help you heal yourself and your ancestral lineage?