War Stories II
I originally posted this in Feb of 2005. Thought this day was an appropriate one to retell it.
With never a dream of that terrible dawn when the Longest Day
had begun, So that all through the morning and afternoon, the world could
play in the sun.
Photo taken by M. Clements
My grandfather Charles Nichols served in the Navy during WWII and is a true American hero. He quietly served in the Pacific on the USS Springfield (CL-66) and the USS Thorn (DD 647). During WWII his ships fought in the Battle of Leyte Gulf and Luzon Philippines, Okinawa, Iwo Jima and Honshu Japan and in the Admiralties. They were also involved in Palau, Eniwetok and Ulithi, as well as escorting ship convoys in the Atlantic. He was there with President Roosevelt as he headed for his last conference with the Allies. My grandfather even escorted Japanese dignitaries to the Missouri for the signing of the surrender in Tokyo Bay. Ironically enough the first ship I was on was in Tokyo Bay the same time Pap Pap was. Not only did he fight but he loved. My mother said he saw her twice during his time at war. I don’t remember my grandfather ever complaining and he never questioned the war nor his involvement in it. It was while I was growing up that he inspired my brothers and I to serve in the Navy by regaling us with sea stories. There were times when I was away from my family that I would get to feeling sorry for myself and I would remember his sacrifice and his dedication to seeing the job done. I would think if he could do that for me and my country than I can sacrifice too. Pap Pap has never asked for a parade or medals and never demanded that he be recognized for his service. We should honor him and men like him because they deserve it.
When we talk I get to hear the same sea stories over and over again. (and I love it). His health prevented him from coming to my retirement ceremony. He wanted so bad to attend that instead he wanted to honor me with a picture or a story in the paper, but it’s not my story that’s worth telling, it’s his
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That's a great story EB. Your grandpa sounds like a heck of a guy. Four out of five of my uncles served in combat in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. I come from a family of lifers. When I ask my dad about his time in the Korean War, he only wants to tell me about his drunken fight in Fez, Morrocco. Those older guys are a funny lot.
Morgan
Comment by Morgan Orlins— 2006/05/29 @ 01:23 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/05/29 @ 01:51 PM — (Reply)
Loved reading this! Reminded me of the stories my uncle, who served in the Army in WWII, used to tell me. He passed away a few years ago and I still miss him a lot.
Comment by esther— 2006/05/29 @ 02:04 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/05/29 @ 03:42 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Susan— 2006/05/29 @ 05:06 PM — (Reply)
Thanks for your kindness and to your grandfather for his service.
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/05/29 @ 05:11 PM — (Reply)
thank you for sharing, elbro - we need to be reminded daily why we are free.
i listen to a great christian station here on the military holidays and yesterday morning i got so choked up i had to go inside the cabin and cry. my husband sat there by the radio and cried. there were veterans from the last 60 years telling their stories. nanc could not make words for a very long time after that.
Comment by nanc— 2006/05/30 @ 06:00 AM — (Reply)
I stand in awe of those who served in WWII; they gave us so much with no expectation of any return. We cannot honor them enough; we must NEVER forget them.
Semper Fi . . .
Comment by Mustang— 2006/05/30 @ 06:48 AM — (Reply)
Nanc - I was the same way yesterday.
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/05/30 @ 08:55 AM — (Reply)
He sound like a mountain of a man!
At church Sunday, there was one WWII vet in attendance out of all of the vets and servicemen.
It's pretty scary that the Greatest Generation is almost gone.
Comment by Brooke— 2006/05/30 @ 01:25 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Cate— 2006/05/30 @ 04:47 PM — (Reply)
EB,
Nice story, been out of town for a few days, a little late to chime in, but I believe as long as we're at war, every day should recognized, or partly, as Memorial Day to honor the military serviceman of our country.
My Dad was a WWII Navy vet, my grandpa from WWI. My grandpa was somwhere in France during WWI when he and his fellow soldiers came across some fallen French soldiers, one of them had a guitar with names of soldiers engraved on it, since they were all dead, my grandpa took the guitar and signed it with a few of his fellow soldiers. He ended up giving to my father who in turn gave it to my oldest brother. Evertime we get together with my brother and we see that guitar, it gives us such a feeling of pride.
Comment by Joe Gringo— 2006/05/31 @ 10:49 AM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/05/31 @ 12:22 PM — (Reply)
Yes it is. My brother Ron has it and he lives right here in Phoenix (32nd St. & Shea area), gonna have to show it to you one day!
Comment by Joe Gringo— 2006/05/31 @ 12:41 PM — (Reply)
Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/05/31 @ 01:26 PM — (Reply)