I became friends with an old couple at church. Shut ins. Visiting them the first time and making small talk. I noticed that Harry had an anchor tattoo - and I asked,
Oh were you a sailor? Must have been World War II? My Dad was in the Navy in WWII
He answered Yes.
His wife piped in He drove a Higgins boat.
Oh, the landing craft - wow.
The guy seemed a bit surprised that I knew that and looked up and said Thats right.
His wife then said He was at D-Day.
I just sat there not knowing what to say. Shocked with the movie reels playing in my mind, awe at what this guy had done and what he must have seen, and could tell he hadnt wanted to talk about any of it. (But his wife was sure proud!) I just got up and walked over and shook his hand again and said Thanks for your service, and all the sacrifices that you made.
God Bless all of our troops - doing no less heroic and dangerous things today, and still making sacrifices for us.
Thanks to your Dad and your friend for their service to our country.
I worked with a landing craft cox’n. He caught a bellyful of lead from a Japanese 25 at Tarawa, yet survived.
That was an amazing generation....