The age difference between the two patriots in this blog is seventy years. Grandpa is 91, a decorated veteran of WWII and the Korea War. During his 22 years of service, he was stationed from New Guinea to Greenland. He lost count of the times he crossed the equator. He went to the Philippines in the convoy with General MacArthur for the memorable..."I have returned!" moment caught on camera. Grandpa chuckles when he tells the story of how General Mac had to wade ashore saying "I have returned" twice to get the shot on camera the way the camera men wanted it. GP is not much for theatrics. He recounts how on returning to the Philippines, the convoy withstood 18 air-raids from the Japanese that first day, making it necessary for the men on his ship to man their guns for 24 hours straight. He also tells the story of how his ship and one other Coast Guard vessel were going out to sea from the islands and met two battleships coming into the port. The battleships had been hit hard by the Japanense to the point that one ship had mattresses covering holes in its' side, and one was damaged to the point that it was leaning sideways. He and his men said to each other they sure were glad they bad not been out there with those battleships, only to find out that they were acutally being sent out as the replacement ships so repairs could be made. While out there they did have some fly-bys from the Japanese but no action. And he willingly states "God was looking after us."
During this same period while he in the Pacific, his ship was guarding a tanker carrying fuel for the Navy, a Japanese plane dropped a torpedo aimed for the tanker. Grandpa saw the pilot's face, looked into the man's eyes. At that moment Grandpa thought "I'll never get to see my wife and two little boys again." But God intervened with a divinely placed wave to intercept the torpedo and changed its' course. There is never hate or boasting in his stories. He understood the human loss that is brought about by war. In all the years that I have listened to his stories about the war, I have never heard him brag or condemn or justify the deaths. Actually there is quite a solemn tone to his voice and sadness in his eyes.
When Levi announced he was joining the miliatary and wanted to go into the Marines, I had to face my worst fear. But God is still in the miracle business, and he is still guarding the one's He calls "son". I am very proud of my Grandfather and my son for their love of God and country. And seeing them together in their dress-blues really means a lot to me. We took these pictures last weekend at Grandpa's house. Hope you enjoy the pics.
4 comments:
Talk about being proud of someone!!
It is one of the coolest things ever to tell your friends and family that when my mama called to order Grandpa's ribbons and she told the lady all the places he had been, she went silent then asked if he was still alive! mama told her that he was and that he wanted to wear the Dress Blues to reunion and she didn't believe her. She told Mama that he should be dead and asked if he was injured only to learn that he hard of hearing b/c a torpedo grazed the back of his neck!! In other words, our grandpa in a walking miracle!!
They are such wonderful men!
Thank you for making this post.
I love the pictures of GP and Levi, they are really nice.
I love you,
Noel
Thanks for sharing your granddad's memories. I love the photos of them together.
Love,
Debbie
These are fantastic pictures! I am so very glad that you took them. Did you know that the bush they are standing in front of is from Uncle Henry?
What great men...they both had/have great Mamas, and serve a great God.
He really looked forward to "picture day" with your son.
Love you!
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