Today is my dad’s birthday. He was born in 1928 and served in two wars: The Korean War and World War II. This is a story that he wrote about one of his memories in the military—”Bringing Brothers Home: A World War II Story.” Enjoy.

“Home was at the foot of the Smoky Mountains in Athens, Tennessee. There was a local effort in town to recruit more men to help bolster the war effort with much-needed manpower to give relief to our troops overseas.

Off to war at age 15

I was almost 16. I enlisted partly because I naively thought this might help bring one of my brothers home. All three had volunteered shortly after Pearl Harbor in the Navy, Marines and Seabees (United States Naval Construction Forces).

The other reason I enlisted, I had been riding the rails (hoboing) around the country. I had returned home, and this seemed like a good opportunity to see the world. I was looking forward to another adventure.

By month’s end, I found myself at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where I completed basic training. I was sent to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, where I was scheduled to immediately leave for Germany.

Unexpectant happening on departure day

The day of departure arrived. I was on the dock, standing in a very long line that was slowly working its way aboard a troop ship.

Before I reached the gangplank, I passed out.

I woke up in the hospital. I have no memory of how I got there, nor how long I was unconscious.

For two days, I was asked all kinds of questions by the doctor. He couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong with me.

The third day, I was out of my head with such excruciating pain, I knew I had to confide in someone.

During the doctor’s next visit, I asked if I could speak to him in private. Much to my relief, his nurse excused herself. The doctor was mortified when I showed him how swollen I was. I had the mumps, and they had gone south.

He said, “My God, son, why didn’t you say something before now?”

I told him I would have, but his nurse was always with him, and I was too embarrassed to say anything in front of her.

Bringing Brothers Home

It was almost a month before I was released from the hospital. By then, new orders had been issued that would send me to Panama. I remained there until the end of my tour of duty and was given an honorable discharge. I later served in Korea during the Korean War, but that’s another story.

Much to my family’s relief, my three brothers and I all returned home safely at the end of World War II.”

Misfortune turn blessing

My dad was not able to have children due to his medical emergency, so he adopted my four siblings and me. His misfortune was my blessing. He passed away on October 28, 2010, my birthday. The following were his life principles. I like to revisit them every year and thought maybe you would like to as well.

• Be honest.
• Work hard.
• Don’t cuss (unless you smash your thumb with a hammer, then it’s okay).
• Eat corn bread and beans.
• Drink buttermilk.
• Laugh.
• Respect your parents.
• There’s nothing good out there past midnight.
• If the shoe fits, wear it.
• If you lay with dogs, you’re gonna get fleas.
• Love your kids. Love your spouse. Love God.
• Serve your country.
• Vote.
• Never quit, unless you smoke, then you must.
• Go see the world. If you can’t see the world, at least visit Tennessee. You’ll be glad you did.
• Live simply.
• Simply live.