Memorial Day...

commando1

Old Man with a Hat
Joined
Mar 10, 2011
Messages
37,685
Reaction score
39,179
Location
Sebring, Florida
... is not a Holiday. It is a somber remembrance.

staffsgtmarkgraunkejr.jpg
 
I am happy to have served and came home in one piece. I can really appreciate the ones that have gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I hope that in between bbq's people stop to remember what the day is about.
 
image.jpeg
Francis F. Farney and his 4 brothers, Thomas,Otis, Dick and Oliver all signed up. Francis was my grandfather and served on the USS Washington BB56. All of the brothers were in the war from beginning to end and all made it home. I wish they were still here to thank again for their service. They truly were of the greatest generation!
image.jpeg

My Dads father, R.G. Somers Sr. Was a paratrooper with 101st during the Korean War. He was never deployed. I never got the full story on why. At a guess I'd say it had something to do with having two young sons. My Father, R.G.S. Jr. also joined the army in 1968 to serve in Vietnam and as luck would have was sent to Hawaii instead Nam for the length of his 4yr service. A great thanks to all that have served and all that have made the ultimate sacrifice!
 
Today it was my pleasure to drive Mr. Robert Knight in our city's 64th annual Memorial Day parade. I'm certain it's the largest in Michigan, and wouldn't be surprised if it was the largest in the US.

Mr. Knight joined the Navy at age 16 (with his parents permission). In 1945, he was on a destroyer escort, off the coast of Northen Hanchu Japan. He would have invaded Japan if not for Hiroshima/Nagasaki bombing (and would likely have been dead). 55 year St. Clair Shores resident, and incidentally a Chrysler retiree.

In prior years, in my capacity as a councilman-with-a-convertible, I was honored to drive Richard Heller who survived the torpedoing of the USS Indianapolis. (read the story).

2016052995135533.jpg
 
Down to the USS Hornet this morning at 9:00 am. First thing I see is a very nice 55 Olds out front. Talked to the owner who thought the ceremony was at 10:00 am and I told him it is always at 1:00 pm. A crowd of about 100+ for the actual ceremony followed by the tossing of flowers into the bay. Didn't get any shots of that as I was busy talking to one of our docents who was a Navy pilot in the 50's. He was commenting on not having seen me in some time around the ship. Wrong days is all. Anyway at the ceremony the band played each services song and veterans stood up for it. Actually a lot of Army vets on board today.

After the ceremony I went back to work. Before I left I ended up talking to a docent who while treasure of the local Tailhook, which has their luncheon on board. Has been a docent for 5 years. Retired Captain, now 80, who flew the F-9 Cougar and A-4 Skyhawk off straight deck carriers. He notices my name tag and comments about a doctor he knows. I go he must have the same name as me and is over at UCSF in neurology as one of the best neuro surgeons in the country.

He tells me that is the guy who did his brain surgery to remove a large meningioma that was benign from his frontal cortex. Showed me his scar. Very nice as it goes from one side over to the other side and then the two sides are pried apart. I once met this surgeon on the Hornet when everyone came up to me Sunday morning saying there is someone with your name. That was around 2005 but I had been getting his reports in my office all through the 80's. Obviously offices were using the phone book and sent letters to me based on seeing Dr. Michael........ and not checking. Anyway we talked for 30 minutes and he filled me in on the ins and outs of flying and F-9 and A-4. Now I know how to get an F-9 to reach Mach 1.

Olds_55.jpg


Memorial_2016_01.jpg


Memorial_2016_02.jpg


Memorial_2016_03.jpg


F11_Tiger_Cockpit.jpg
 
Back
Top