My mom was only 8 years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and her three older brothers went off to war. Two of my uncles, Jackson and Doug were in the army and fought in Europe. My other uncle, Phil, enlisted in the Navy and was a tail gunner in the Pacific, serving on the Hornet and the Intrepid. Uncle Phil is quite a history buff, has a remarkable memory, and is a gifted story teller, so I have had many a first-hand account of what it was like to be on a battleship in the Pacific fighting the Japanese.
I also grew up learning what it was like for the folks back at home, a young girl suddenly without her three brothers and a mother who bravely and without reservation sent all of her sons off to war knowing that she might never see them again. My grandmother saved all of the letters my uncles wrote back home to their parents and sister, and those provided yet another lesson in history.
My mother was very fortunate to have all three of her brothers return from the war (and they are still alive today). Several of their classmates did not, including Harold Spatz, who fought in Doolittle Raid, where he was captured and executed by the Japanese.
Yesterday, my Uncle Phil was honored by the city at the school’s Veteran’s Day celebration for carrying the flag every year since 1946 in the local Memorial Day services. The picture above is from the 4th of July parade this summer, where he also carries the flag (the last two years on horseback)!!!
