It's always interesting to talk with the WWII guys, what few of them are left...whenever I see a 70/80 something year old man wearing a WWII ball cap or U.S.S. whatever Navy Ship, I always try to make an effort to talk to them and ask them some things.

Kind of thinking my dad joined the Navy during WWII because he was tired of skeeters, snakes, etc...growing up on the farm and eating a lot of beans. Actually he joined because work was slim to none at the time, his own dad couldn't afford to feed him anymore, he'd been working full time after dropping out of school in the 6th grade so dad lied about his age to get in and his dad swore to it. His mom (my grandma) wasn't around, she'd done flew the coop back when he was 7 or 8, moved to the big city of Ohio or Virgina somewhere to find her a city fella.

But I sure do wish he were around so I could ask him why he chose the Navy...especially since he couldn't swim a lick before joining and believe it or not fella's he couldn't swim a lick after getting out either.

Yep...I sure do wish he was still around.