Hats Off to a World War II Vet
Yesterday was a wonderful day. While standing in line at the pharmacy the gentleman behind me smiled. Seriously, I don’t go to the CVS to make friends but somehow yesterday I did.
This older fellow’s smile, along with his Vet’s hat, was engaging. He looked too young to have been in WWII so I asked him.
“Yes, I was in the Navy, this was my ship. (He pointed to his hat.) Spent a good deal of time in New Guinea and the South Pacific.” He was tall, tan and handsome. I thought he must have been just a kid back then.
“You look too young to have been in World War II.” He smiled again, chuckled a little, and said he wasn’t young enough to play golf anymore. A small silence ensued then I told him my father was in World War II, a Marine, fought in Okinawa and Guam. Mentioned that he was in Guadalcanal, too, though he didn’t fight there. A young boy’s expression of surprise and wonder covered his face. It was one of those heart stopping moments that hangs in the air, sweet and delicate, like honeysuckle.
“Maybe we were on the same beaches!”
“Yes, maybe you were.” He glanced momentarily away. Then his WWII blue eyes looked straight into my I’m-the-proud-daughter-of-a-WWII-Marine-Vet blue eyes. He looked away for the second time but his glance quickly returned and locked onto my face. “My brother didn’t make it back,” he sighed, “he was killed in Europe.”
Now I felt like crying. “I’m sorry for you,” I said “and for your poor mother and father.” That’s when he said in a voice ever so low, “That was a long time ago.”
I responded, “Well, yes, but thank you for all that you did for our country.” Now I think he was ready to cry. I gently touched his arm - sometimes encounters of importance go this fast on life’s spiritual highway. He looked at me then, shook his head up and down and said, “It was an important time.”
“Yes it was,” I responded with reverence in my voice. “Semper Fi, Sir.”
“Anchors Aweigh, sweet lady.”
Tags: Anchors Aweigh, Grief, hope, loss, Semper Fidelis, World War II
January 25th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
bereavement…
Keep working ,great job!…
March 7th, 2010 at 4:30 am
I would not have found this article if it were not for a blog who linked to it.
March 7th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
lol many of the remarks bloggers post really are a bit spacey, once in awhile i ponder whether these people realistically scan through the pieces of content and threads before putting a comment or whether they simply skim the post title and write the first idea that pops into their brain. anyway, it is actually useful to browse realistic commentary every once in awhile in contrast to the same, old opinion which i quite often notice online.
March 10th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Aw, this was a really great post. In theory I’d like to write like this too - taking time and real effort to make a good article… but what can I say… I procrastinate alot and never seem to get anything done.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Dale,
Well you just need to remind yourself that you are a writer and what you write will feed your spirit as well as your readers!
Please let me know when you finish your next article! I look forward to reading it.
Kind regards,
MJ
April 13th, 2010 at 11:57 am
This seems to be a very friendly place unlike some of the other blogs I visit.
April 17th, 2010 at 6:32 am
Hey…thanks for your cool post about WWII. I’ll be checking back when I can for more. Great.
Sean
April 19th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
I am brand-new to blogging and actually loved your site. I am going to bookmark your web site and keep checking you out. Thanks for sharing your site.
April 20th, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Hi Colleague!
I love your blog, it’s so interesting! I think it’s pretty popular, too, isn’t it? I believe you can earn a lot with your blog if you wanted.
April 20th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Hi back, Colleague,
Well, thanks for the compliment but I would just rather enjoy writing and connecting with other people. See, you found me!
April 24th, 2010 at 11:27 am
It is nice to locate a web site where the blogger is sensible. Thanks for creating your web site.
April 24th, 2010 at 4:01 pm
Panameno,
Thank you. Sensible information is something that people can understand so I’ll always write in a way that others can “through the senses” be able to identify. I’ll also write only things that connect to my spirit, sensitivities and my soul, love those s words.
Good luck getting your site up and running soon.
MJ
April 28th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
I need some advice for my blog….I like your layout. Can you help me?
April 29th, 2010 at 5:48 am
Valera,
Word Press is what I use. It isn’t too difficult just take your time and you can do it, too!
May 17th, 2010 at 1:18 am
The blog was absolutely fantastic! Lots of great information and inspiration, both of which we all need!
May 17th, 2010 at 1:51 am
Thanks, Vicens, I appreciate that. Stop by again.
May 28th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
This post is beyond awesome. I am always wondering what to do and what not to do so I will follow some of these tips.
June 6th, 2010 at 11:53 pm
Hey, MJ, This is my very first comment on your site. I have been reading your blog for a while and thought I would completely pop in and drop a friendly note. . It is great stuff indeed.
I also wanted to ask..is there a way to subscribe to your site via email?
June 7th, 2010 at 12:48 am
Yes, Jon, you may e-mail me at maryjanebrant@gmail.com
If you go onto http://www.MJHB.net you can see contact information. It’s my other website.
Thank you so much for stopping by today. I really appreciate your compliment.
August 1st, 2010 at 11:23 pm
Wow this takes me back, MJHB. Like your blog design too.
August 4th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
As a World War 2 Veteran i feel that this is a great article. It really touched my heart. Keep up the good work
August 5th, 2010 at 12:41 am
I cannot tell you how much I loved hearing from you, Trance Music. To know that a WWII vet would tell me he was touched was an embrace. Thank you. I hope you will come again. Maybe you could tell us something that would help others.
I salute you tonight and say thank you for serving.
August 13th, 2010 at 5:40 am
Thanks for sharing that beautiful encounter, not only did I so appreciate the message and pride those who served our country have but that you took the time to honor that. Bless you, your Dad would be so proud of what a caring heart you have.