Internet Wins - Dammit!

This has been a bad week for  using the internet.  Turn on your computer and some times it works and sometimes it doesn't.  I have a difficult time typing because of pain in my shoulder but I managed to complete telling  about when I fell from the ship into a boat.  At that moment internet went off and destroyed my brilliant tale.

The internet finally returned and I re-wrote my story.  Again the internet ate it. This time we saved it on Word and when the internet lived again we (Jen) pasted it.

I'm reminded of that fall daily by the pain from  the injury which stays with me.  My roommates at LSU demanded I go to the dispensary for help.   I got it from a wise doctor.  He said I will hurt  all my life, only more and more. I see many people much  worse off than I and know I should be thankful and not complain.

How I earned my F.I.B.

Even though my memory is full of holes, I am convinced that during my time in the Navy, I was called on to serve on more than my share of working parties. Some times we worked long hours without food. That did not apply to the party I am remembering here.

I was dizzy and probably had fever as we gathered to descend into  the  LCVP that was to take us.  We were on the deck from which fully loaded Marines had descended to ride the boats to Iwo Jima. As I crawled over to clamber down I fell, either because I was dizzy or careless or both.  I hit the bottom of the boat on my back and right shoulder. The pain was great but worse was I was completely paralyzed.  I thought, "Here I am, not yet 19, and I'll be unable to move a finger all my  life."

The boys in the boat moved me to a more comfortable position and above deck they began rigging a stretcher.   Some feeling returned to my legs and with help I was able to walk the steps on the side of the ship.

I spent a week in sickbay where I had visitors,  two I remember.  The navigator said I survived because I was a good person. The exec promised me if I did not want to go on a working party he would get me off without me needing to fall.

I can't blame my fall on the pain in my back and shoulder but the fall  has part of the blame.

And that's  how I earned my F.I.B. (Fell Into Boat)

The battle that wasn't fought--Thank God

As the USS Pickens neared Frisco, we knew we would stay just  long enough to take on troops and prepare to attack Japan.   How much we were told about Downfall, the name given for the invasion of Japan, I do not remember.  Today the only memory I have is being told the navy expected 50 per cent casualties.

Now 70 years later as I study the war, I learn that military leaders knew casualties would be high, too high for America to accept.  Downfall was a combination of Olympic and Coronet, with Olympic being an attack  on Kyushu to seize airfields.  The joint chiefs of staff estimated that Olympic alone would cost 456,000
men, including 109,000 killed.  Personnel of the Navy department estimated that the total losses could be 4 million with 400,000 to 800,000 deaths.

Those of us who were at Okinawa are not surprised at those figures and often credit President Truman and the atom bomb for saving our  lives.

Serving in Tent of Nations

"I haven''t had a shower in six days."

Girls know what is important.  That was the first line in Jessica's report on her first week with the Tent of Nations.  Water is available, just scarce.  Jessica is serving with 20 other international volunteers working with Palestine youths living in Bethlehem.

Countries with volunteers taking part are from Spain, France, Germany, Finland, Switzerland, Palestine,  Denmark, UK,  Italy, and   USA.

A wild taxi ride

Recently George Bush, former president, was unrecognized by his uber driver, but the guy, who said he never voted, was going to vote for Hillary. I am the veteran of many taxi operators.  Some took me on a long drive to pad the fare; some talked my ears off, and some wouldn't speak at all.

I'll never forger a ride I had in Cincinnati  early one morning. The driver told me about all the famous people who had been his passenger.  "Oscar Robertson (NBA star) sat right where you are sitting."

 We were following a map to my early morning appointment --this was before GPS -- and the interstate was packed -- three  lanes each way.  I tried to get the driver's attention in time to take an exit but he passed the exit. I pointed this out and he stopped in the traffic lane and began to back up. I finally convinced him to go to the next exit.The driver wasn't shaken at all.










r

Excitement as Pickens nears San Francisco

Excitement was building  as the USS Pickens continued on to San Francisco.  After all, almost a year had passed since we were in the United States.  Now we were to have leaves and liberties.  So we thought.   We gave little thought to what was ahead.  As a member of the planned invasion designated Olympic we were to take on troops and invade  Japan.

Sweet Sixteen --that's enough

Ohio Gov.  John Kasich  aannounced today that he will be a candidate for president, adding his name to the long list of those seeking nomination as the Republican party nominee.  Of all the candidates Kasich is qualified if anyone can be qualified to serve in the land's highest office.

Kasich has been involved in politics since age 24 and he worked for Ronald Reagan.  He was elected governor of Ohio in 2011, giving him the  advantage of serving a bell weather state.