As Memorial Day approaches I find myself thinking of all who have died in service to our wonderful nation. With all it's faults and complexities, it still beats anywhere else in the world to call home.
In thinking this over, I began to reflect on my Mom and Dad, both World War Two veterans, a diminishing group around the world.
I want you to meet them, know them just a bit, so, please follow me below the fold. I think you'll enjoy the story.
In all honesty, I wasn't planning to write about my parents as Memorial Day comes upon us soon, but, on their way home from a visit to the cardiologist today, they attended Maritime Day here in Wilmington, NC, and the Merchant Marines were honored during the ceremony, including the placing of a wreath in the Cape Fear River by the Coast Guard. Dad and Mom walked behind the Honor Guard charged with placing the wreath in the river, and were so honored and grateful to have the service of so many recognized now, so very many years later. As we all do when we are moved, they were quietly tearful after the ceremony, and for them, it was a good day.
Let me take you back just a few years. Dad, now 84, left Harvard after one year out of frustration, it wasn't what he wanted to do in life at that point. He lied about his age and joined the Army. They found out and gave him the boot. Not to be denied, he joined the Merchant Marines. After two years at sea, he was recommended for Officer Candidate School and attended, graduating as a Merchant Marine Officer.
Meanwhile Mom, whose family was so poor they all remembered the one ice cream cone they had when she and her brother were children, went to nursing school. She graduated with honors and promptly joined the Navy as a Navy nurse, Ensign JG. I find myself wondering if I, or any of us, can imagine their world, way back then.
As Mom served at Saint Albans, in New York, Dad was all over the world. Russia, India, France, England, he was everywhere. Mom treated the survivors of the Japanese attack on Singapore, Dad's ship skeedaddled out right beforehand.
They met at a dance in New York City in 1943. He was on a few days shore leave, she had the night off. They danced, they talked and they really liked one another. He went back to sea, she went back to Saint Albans. They wrote, they occasionally talked, he came back, they dated. He left again. Finally, as Dad was in Russia, he wired Mom. His intent was to ask, "will you marry me?" The message Mom received was "will you worry me?" She burst into tears, not knowing what that meant or how to answer. Somehow, Dad found a phone and was able to call her. When that call came through, neighbors from all around were waiting to hear what the news could possibly be. Poor Mom, forced to have her clarification made public due to all who were interested, curious, and, just there. However, she said "yes".
Mom and Dad were married at Saint Albans in a military ceremony in 1946. She in her Navy uniform, he in his Merchant Marines dress. We are so grateful that today, and fairly recently, the Merchant Mariners have been awarded veteran status. Dad had three ships torpedoed out from under him, and, the Merchant Mariners suffered the heaviest losses of men in World War 2. Meanwhile Mom, ever vital at 86, is represented at the Memorial for Women in the Armed Services at Arlington, VA. My husband Stan and I attended the dedication ceremony with she and Dad, along with VP Al Gore and wife Tipper, Janet Reno, Connie Stevens and so many more. It was a magical day and Mom is forever remembered in the computer link with her picture and resume. She was a beautiful 20 something year old at the time, and she is still gorgeous at 86.
As I think about my folks and probably many of yours I wonder, would we be as resolute as they were? Would we handle the hardships as well? Could we imagine going years without word of our loved ones' fates?
No wonder Tom Brokaw calls them the "greatest generation". We wouldn't accept those limitations for a moment. They did and had no choice. And they did it so well, so strong, so selflessly.
They continue to inspire me... my folks and so many others of their age.