We were watching The History Channel at
Grandma's casita. It was a story about the USS Enterprise being
attacked. It was 1945. They were describing acts of heroism that
occurred. Stories of men risking their lives, staying with wounded
comrades instead of swimming to safety. Stories that never made the
paper or were recognized but were remembered only by those brave souls
who dog-paddled in the waves next to a burning ship 3 miles above the
sea floor.
It was one of those moments
where my son and I were engrossed. I said, "Isn't it funny, the only
person in this house who really understands what we're watching, is
asleep in his chair." Grandpa Tommy. Kansas farm boy, Junior Petty
Officer on a rebuilt WWI destroyer, 3 years, 3 months, 21 days operating
as troop ship on the Pacific ocean, docking only twice in ports other
than atoll island landings.
Now asleep
in his chair, 89 years old. He has no scrapbook of his service, no
contact with those of his caliber who went through the cauldron of war,
no medals or pins commemorating his contribution. The only souvenir I'm
aware of is his "coconut knife" US Navy issue, which he gave to his
grandson. When the subject of war comes up his light-hearted response
is, "I saved the world."
It's his
joke. It comes and goes so quickly. The subject changes and the
opportunity to ponder his answer disappears. Which is unfortunate,
because he, and countless thousands of others did save the world. Anyone
who doubts that Germany and Japan had intentions of conquering us all,
is deluding themself. Seldom has freedom and slavery or good and evil
been so clearly defined. But at the time America reluctantly joined the
Allied Forces in 1942, it was not so clear; there were many doubters.
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