"There are three deaths: The first when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time."
On this day, I think of my father in law who was a Navy pilot in WWII. He flew PBYs (surveillance/ sea planes) which flew primarily at night to identify enemy formations. They carried 4 (yes only 4) rounds of ammunition in case of emergency. He never drank or smoked so his squadron called him grandpa. In fact, he never even took aspirin until a serious injury at age 76. Upon returning after the war, his former employer asked if he’d like his accounting job back. He said “no, that would make me way too nervous”
Every Memorial Day I think of my father, a high school graduate who enlisted in the Navy, went to Torpedo School in Newport, RI, took a train across the country to Washington State and was initially assigned as a torpedo man on the USS Spence.
Turns out they had too many torpedo men on the Spence so they “ drew straws” to determine who left- my father “ lost” and was reassigned to the USS Cushing in the USS Missouri’s fleet.
Thereafter, Admiral Halsey took his part of the fleet through a typhoon and the Hull, the Spence and the Monahan, all destroyers were swamped and sunk. So “losing “ the “ short straw” event saved his life.
He ultimately ended up on the USS Missouri for medical treatment and was present on the superstructure when Hirohito surrendered to General MacArthur in Toyko.
He rarely talked about the war and only shared stories in his later life and while I inherited many things and assets when he passed away the most precious thing he left me was his diary from being on the ship in the middle of the conflict.
He was a loyal American, proud of his service, loved his country and taught his three children to cherish liberty and to be kind to your neighbors.
My husband's cousin was killed in Iraq on August 3, 2005. In 2 days the 3/25 Marines based in Brookpark, Ohio lost 21 men. The dogs had swept the roadway just hours before the Humvee went over and exploded, killing all 14 men. They were in a caravan of 3. The other 2 vehicles were not harmed, other than from debris thrown by the one Augie was in. Lance Corporal Edward A Schroeder II died that day at the age of 23. My son plays his trumpet. His parents did not support the war and are still so angry. Augie was an amazing young man, who thought maybe one day he would be a police officer like my husband.
My dad was on the USS Cape Esperance that was escorted by destroyers The Spence, Monaghan and The Hull, lost in Typhoon Cobra! My dad rarely talked about it and I researched it only to have him verify facts. Admiral Halsey was almost court martialed over his decision to sail thru the typhoon. 790 men lost as a result. God rest their souls. Thanks dad!
"There are three deaths: The first when the body ceases to function. The second is when the body is consigned to the grave. The third is that moment, sometime in the future, when your name is spoken for the last time."
David Eagleman
Thank you Bill for speaking Jake's name.
On this day, I think of my father in law who was a Navy pilot in WWII. He flew PBYs (surveillance/ sea planes) which flew primarily at night to identify enemy formations. They carried 4 (yes only 4) rounds of ammunition in case of emergency. He never drank or smoked so his squadron called him grandpa. In fact, he never even took aspirin until a serious injury at age 76. Upon returning after the war, his former employer asked if he’d like his accounting job back. He said “no, that would make me way too nervous”
Ps. He went on to become a very successful salesman and relationship builder
Every Memorial Day I think of my father, a high school graduate who enlisted in the Navy, went to Torpedo School in Newport, RI, took a train across the country to Washington State and was initially assigned as a torpedo man on the USS Spence.
Turns out they had too many torpedo men on the Spence so they “ drew straws” to determine who left- my father “ lost” and was reassigned to the USS Cushing in the USS Missouri’s fleet.
Thereafter, Admiral Halsey took his part of the fleet through a typhoon and the Hull, the Spence and the Monahan, all destroyers were swamped and sunk. So “losing “ the “ short straw” event saved his life.
He ultimately ended up on the USS Missouri for medical treatment and was present on the superstructure when Hirohito surrendered to General MacArthur in Toyko.
He rarely talked about the war and only shared stories in his later life and while I inherited many things and assets when he passed away the most precious thing he left me was his diary from being on the ship in the middle of the conflict.
He was a loyal American, proud of his service, loved his country and taught his three children to cherish liberty and to be kind to your neighbors.
Scott Duesterdick
My husband's cousin was killed in Iraq on August 3, 2005. In 2 days the 3/25 Marines based in Brookpark, Ohio lost 21 men. The dogs had swept the roadway just hours before the Humvee went over and exploded, killing all 14 men. They were in a caravan of 3. The other 2 vehicles were not harmed, other than from debris thrown by the one Augie was in. Lance Corporal Edward A Schroeder II died that day at the age of 23. My son plays his trumpet. His parents did not support the war and are still so angry. Augie was an amazing young man, who thought maybe one day he would be a police officer like my husband.
Laura Troyer
My dad was on the USS Cape Esperance that was escorted by destroyers The Spence, Monaghan and The Hull, lost in Typhoon Cobra! My dad rarely talked about it and I researched it only to have him verify facts. Admiral Halsey was almost court martialed over his decision to sail thru the typhoon. 790 men lost as a result. God rest their souls. Thanks dad!