"Damn the torpedoes! Give me the range on the ship ahead!"

An inside joke enjoyed by the radarmen.  We were traveling to Okinawa in a convoy of attack transports and were constantly asked for the range and bearing on the lead ship of our column.  It was March 31, 1945, the day before Easter.

Did we have an idea of what awaited us?  I don't remember, but I recollect Tokyo Rose  saying it would be a fierce battle because if Okinawa was defeated, victory for Japan would be impossible although the nation would continue fighting.

Air conditioning now? NO

After  seeing hours of rain over two days, the beautiful sunshine this morning was especially welcome. Maybe, it will be possible to plant flowers and vegetables after all.  Spring could be here with all the pleasure and comfort it brings.

But guess what?  Someone decided March 30 was the time to turn on air conditioning.  Last summer the church was so cold I had to resort to wearing a coat and I want to do without a coat and tie during the summer.  If we are going to keep the church cold, we must have some fiery sermons to stir our blood.

March 27, 1945, Pickens heads for Okinawa

Victory over Iwo Jima was complete March 26 and the next  day the Pickens left Saipan, loaded with troops and headed toward Okinawa, some 1400 miles away.  We were one ship among 300 war ships and 1139 other ships.  This was the largest armada ever known.

We traveled with other attack transports, all together carrying  187,000 troops. General Quarters was called every morning before dawn because the Japanese  launched their planes out of the morning sun.  They flew just over the  sea, avoiding detection by radar as long as possible.

Female jurists offer stupid idea on Obamacare

Of all the stupid remaarks in support of Obamacare, the suggestion by Supreme Court justices Sotomayor and Kagan that Hobby Lobby discontinue health insurance for its employees and pay the penalty instead takes the cake.

Hobby Lobby opposes on religious grounds including abortion and some  contraceptives in their health plan.  The female jurists show they are unfit for their positions by their suggestion.  More and more we are finding how terrible Obamacare is.

Victory in Iwo Jima 69 years ago

Sixty-nine years ago today victory in Iwo Jima was achieved, bringing to a close some of the fiercest fighting of World War II. For the first time, American Marines suffered more casualties than did  the enemy.  The flag raising picture by Joe Rosenthal will help future generations understand the heroism  shown and sacrifice paid on that little island.

Tell me about Okinawa

The battle for  Iwo Jima began February 19, 1945, and ended March 26, 1945.  Less than a week later the bloody battle for Okinawa began in a blaze of fury from suicide attacks.  I have written my memories of that time and I would love to hear the experiences of others, especially from shipmates on the Pickens. Maybe your father or uncle has told you what he remembers of that time.  Let me hear from you.

Back home from North Carolina

We are back from our visit to North Carolina, arriving around  11 Sunday night. It goes without saying that we enjoyed the time we had to spend with Lily and Oliver, Julie and Mark, and Jessica. Highlight was seeing Jessica dance and sing in the Broadway Revue presented by the Duke Divinity School.

The weather was delightful.  The sun was shining and it was a warm 68 or so degrees except when a cool wind struck.

We attended services at Apex United Methodist Church Sunday morning.  The church had ten services, both traditional and contemporary, over the weekend.  Jessica has been employed to work with youth and will return to those duties next fall after spending the summer serving in a hospital.

I was interested in the history of the church, which serves  four communities with three campuses. This is an interesting repeat of  a minister serving those communities beginning in 1870.