Thanks for this, Mac. Like my compatriot, Miss Sally Lee, it made me all misty-eyed and, except for the part about him talking about his battles, reminded me of my own dad. He was a WWII vet, Pacific Theater; we could hardly get him to say a thing about WWII, though.

Only a few times did he mention it to me on his own. One of those times was when he was much older, in his 70s. We were at a July 4th celebration, sitting on the grass and watching a huge fireworks display. Suddenly, right out of nowhere, he turned to me and said, "Some of those are pretty realistic." I perked right up and asked him what he meant and he said, "That one ... those just now. They really do sound very much like the big guns on a warship sound from a distance. That's what we heard standing off Leyte, waiting to go in." I wish he hadn't been so reticent to talk about it; but I guess that was just his way.

We lost him back in 1987. I'll always miss that soldier's quiet, steady, always strong & loving presence in my life. I cherish the flag that draped his casket.

Thanks for this, for him and all the ones like him and those of us who are grateful to them.

Just his daughter,
Penny