| |
| Townsville, Australia
today |
On August 13, 1943, struggling with two barracks
bags of clothing and equipment, we climbed aboard the Liberty ship S. S. Sea
Snipe. We sailed under the Golden Gate bridge, nearly all of us leaving the
United States for the first time, and departing for an unknown destination.
After nearly a month following a zigzag course, we reached Townsville Australia
and thus began a tour of the South West Pacific Islands lasting two years and
four months. Our mission was to persuade the fanatical Japanese to leave the
areas they had recently invaded and return to their homeland.
This was
obviously a treacherous undertaking, but just as treacherous were the tropical
heat, torrential rains and rare and unknown diseases. Those diseases leaving a
lot of us with permanent problems. Having accomplished our mission, not all but
most of us returned to our homes carrying scars, both mental and physical from
our experiences.
Since 1984, we have held annual reunions, traveling
these United States and meeting in friendship. We tell tales, recounting
events, remembering funny things that happened and finding humor in some of the
tragic times we lived through. Now we find comfort in one another's company and
recall with sadness those of our group no longer with us. Each year our group
of remnants dwindles even though many of the widows continue to attend alone.
It has been a long full life filled with mostly good times. How
fortunate we are to be AMERICANS!!
|
|