A Veteran Who Gladly Served and Then Created a Flag Garden in His Community
Posted: Wednesday, November 11, 2009
by Fran Larson
http://www.franniesquotes.com/
John always has a smile on his face but wears a "special" smile of pride when he remembers serving in the United States Navy for 5 years.
In 1945, when John volunteered to serve, it was right after he graduated from High School. "All the boys were doing that in 1945. World War 11 was still going. Germany had surrendered, but Japan had not yet surrendered. It was the right thing to do. It was patriotic."
It was during this time that he met his wife, Virginia on a blind date. On that date, John and Virginia found out that they had both gone to the same elementary school and the same high school (for 4 years). They were both born in Norwich, Connecticut.
They married April 3, 1947 and had three children.
World War 11 ended in August of 1945, while John was still serving. He said it was such a great day. "Everyone was so happy and proud of their country."
Because John joined the Navel Reserve in 1948, he was called back to duty during the Korean War. He served from 1950 until 1952. While John was busy unloading patients from the aircraft and taking care of them, Lou Thrasher, a resident in the Highlands, also was loading patients into the aircraft in a different location. "We both probably handled the same patients, yet we were thousands of miles away from each other," John lamented.
Navy Experiences: A Bridge to Patriotism and Responsibility
John said serving in the military helped him with the role of fatherhood by teaching him responsibility. I am certain that his now adult children also possess the same patriotic pride that John reflects. "Looking back, if I had to do it again, I would because of the discipline and training that I learned."
The experience that John remembers foremost, while serving was when he was 19 years old and assisting with a hand surgery. The surgeon asked him to "finish sewing him up", because he wanted to go to lunch. John did finish "sewing him up" and wasn't nervous since he had assisted many times.. Everything turned out fine.
John has always been patriotic. He is very involved in the activities of the community where he resides. He began to think that the community had not yet done anything to show their respect for the Veterans. He then had an idea to create a "Flag Garden" for our community, The Highlands of Scotland Yards. John and other community volunteers worked feverishly in the hot sun to create the garden.The "Flag Garden" began with 8 flags that represent the Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, US Air Force. Shortly after that, the Police, Fire and Missing in Action Flags were added. This "Flag Garden" is where the community gathers during certain times of the year to remember those who are serving our nation.
John is in the midst of planning our community Veteran's Day Event. There will be an all-American feast of Hot Dogs and Apple Pie. Five Veterans' will represent their branch of service and will give a short talk of its history.
John will be there among us. still proud, still patriotic and still smiling.
*Note: This is a true story but I purposely left the last name out for personal reasons.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)John sounds like a great patriot. We can use as many of those great people we can get. Enjoyed your story.Linda D
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