Missing Dad this first Veterans Day Without our WWII, Korean War Sailor

​In my head, I understand our 92-year old dad led a good life and passed peacefully from this earth in February of this year.  But my heart still misses this amazing man, who loved his family and his country, even more on this Veteran’s Day. 

Photo: American Warrior Initiative

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Our Sailor Dad ~ Photo: Norwalk Hour

​Dad was beyond proud of his military service that began at 18 when he entered the Navy in 1942.

He achieved the rank of Quartermaster 1st class. He served on the USS Elmore – APA42, an attack troop transport - and received the Asian-Pacific Medal, the Philippine Liberation Medal, American Theater Medal, and Victory Medal. 

​But it was during a stop in Washington that his life changed when he met our mom, who was Queen of the local USO. ​​And that was the start of our family saga.

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The Navy called Dad back to serve in the Korean Conflict in the early 1950s, so he had to leave mom and his two young children (my sister and me) and go to war again. 

​Dad recalled that moment in a 2015 interview in The Norwalk Hour:
"That was quite an experience. I had started school and was called to reenlist. I had to leave everything, say goodbye and out the door I went," he told the reporter.
​

Dad's Flight of Honor, Wash., DC

Dad was consummately proud of his military service and loved his country with a passion.  Aside from family, one of the proudest moments for our veteran came in 2015 with a one-day VIP Day of Honor monument tour of Washington, D.C. through the American Warrior initiative. 

​Accompanied by my brother, the trip was the chance of a lifetime for dad to revisit Washington landmarks and spend time with 70 other vets on the Flight who shared his wartime experiences.

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Image: NavSource

​For as long as he was able after retiring from teaching, Dad visited schools on Veterans Day to share stories of his military service.  He made history come alive for students and offered positive messages. 

Dad's letter below to his granddaughter and her classmates on Veteran’s Day 2002 for their family history project encapsulates his beliefs.

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On behalf of myself and many veteran friends -- Thank you for your welcome letter.  It is an honor to be remembered by you and you classmates on this Veteran's Day  --  Nov. 11, 2002.

People have a way of forgetting the sacrifices made when one has to leave loved ones and go off to fight an enemy, who, for some reason HATES us and our way of life - Democracy - and thinks our way of living is all wrong.  (Hitler, WW II, Sadam Hussein, Gulf War, to name a few). Many never returned home - killed in battle. Some, wounded and disabled for life.  Many adjusting to a new life. I was called upon to protect our rights, under our Constitution, during World War II, when Hitler wanted to rule the world.

At the age of l8, having just graduated from high school, I joined the US Navy, serving 3 years as a First Class Petty Officer, Quartermaster (Steering the Ship) aboard an attack Troop Transport, APA 42 [USS Elmore] in the Pacific theater of the war.  We engaged in 8 major landings, and the liberation of the Philippines, and ending WWII with the surrender and occupation of Japan, August l945. 
9,000,000 men took part in the War. 

​Many never returned home. Veteran's Day is for them and for you, so that you can continue to belong to the greatest country on the planet -- can continue  to enjoy your freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution of the U. S. A.   

God Bless America.  Peace forever.


PS 
After being discharged from the Service in l945, I married a girl (USO Queen), whom I met in the service in Seattle, Washington.  I continued my Education, obtaining a B. S. & M.A. in Education, and becoming a science teacher in the Middle Schools in Norwalk, Ct., for 31 years.  I am now approaching 78 years of age, and enjoying my family  -  4  children, their spouses, and 8 wonderful grandchildren.

​Every day is exciting! 

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Thanks, Dad! 
<a bit teary-eyed here as I feel his words in my heart> 

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And many thanks and blessings ...
​
....  to all vets who served then

​,,,,  and to those still serving today. 

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Your Turn
What do you do on Veterans Day?  What memories, stories do you have about your veterans?  Please share in the comment section.

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