"We Had A Job To Do For This Country. . .And We Did It"

I miss the Greatest Generation tremendously every day. . .but when Veteran's Day rolls around, I miss them even more. . .Of course, they are not the only Vets we celebrate on this day. . .I know many from the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and many, many who served since. . .But a Veteran's Day mostly brings back memories of my Daddy and Uncle Lloyd, sitting around the dinner table, swapping WWII stories. . .I knew every one of them by heart. . .They rarely talked of the hardships. . .It was mostly funny stories. . .but I have been delving into their four years in the Navy and it wasn't easy on either of them. . .Yet. . .both said over and over that they never regreted it. . .

The special thing about these two men was their deep love of country, their patriotism, and their desire to serve for the greater good. . .Daddy never finished high school until after the service. . .He signed up in 1942. . .Uncle Lloyd wasn't far behind. . .Neither could wait to fight for this country, although Uncle Lloyd was only 15. . .as the story above tells. . .Of course there is more to the story. . .

Uncle Lloyd did stay in the Navy but he never saw his brother, my Dad who served in the Mediterranean and whose story I've told on other Veteran's Days. . .Lloyd was shipped off to Hawaii, where he trained for an electrician's mate third class. . .Hawaii was his base, but he was on the Pacific Ocean most of the time. . .repairing submarines. . .More than once, he was stuck on one as it had to leave the area quickly. . .He spoke of the Philippines and Guam and other islands that I longed to see. . . but not during a war. . .He saw some action when a couple of convoys he was in were attacked. . .Mind you, he was only 16 years old by then, but did he go sniffling back to his Mom? . .NO!. . .More than once I heard him agree with Daddy. . ."We had a job to do for this country, and we did it". . .

I tell this story because I think this year more than any others, we need to be reminded that all of our Veterans served with the same loyalty and love of country. . .We cannot forget them. . .We need to thank them and hold them in honor. . .Just like Uncle Lloyd and Daddy, they also have their story. . .but the bottom line is. . ."They each had a job to do for our country. . .and they did it." . . .We are a better country, a safer country, a free country because of them. . .Take a moment and reflect on this. . .and Honor Our Veteran's on this special day of remembrances. . .They are all heroes. . .

And. . .I would like to thank mine. . .

LOVE AND MISS YOU BOTH!

Telling Their Stories: A Tribute on Veteran's Day

It's Veteran's Day. . .a day to remember those who have kept our Nation free. . .those who sacrificed much in order to defend what we hold so dear. . .

On this day, I would like to honor the Veteran that I knew so well. . .and miss tremendously. . .My Dad. . .Curtis C. Duncan. . .who joined the U S Navy in 1942 and served in World War II as a Yeoman of the 8th Amphibious Command Headquarters in the Mediterranean Operation. He was also on board the flagship of Rear Admiral Frank J. Lowry. . .the USCGC Duane. . .for the Invasion of Southern France. . .one of the vast communications operation crew.  He always said he fought the War behind a typewriter. . .but I have found he did much more. . .

Daddy was always so good to write letters to me, wherever I was living.  Many of them were about the garden, his photography, Mom's cooking. . .So I had the idea to ask him to jot down some of his stories for me when he'd write. It didn't need to be long or formally written. . .Simply what he wanted to tell. . .He seemed thrilled and worked hard on the letters. Over a ten year period, he poured out his memories. . .little by little. . .never lengthy enough for details but he was able to remember the basics. . .There are two large notebooks full, but they don't begin to touch on the details of the life he lived. . .Yet, with much research, and reaching back into my memories of the stories I heard, I've begun to put his story together and have realized what an extraordinary man he was.

USSCGC DUANE CREW--Y2c/S1c C C DUNCAN 1st Row Left--DALE ROOKS PHOTO

"You have served in the greatest Navy in the world. No other Navy at any time has done so much. For your part in these achievements, you deserve to be proud as long as you live. The Nation which you serve at this time of crisis will remember you with gratitude. . ." James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy

 I noticed that a large group of landing craft was coming into the harbor at Naples, Italy. Since I was stationed on the USCGC Duane and Com 8th Amphibious operation ship, I did not think too much about it. The LST's, LCI's, destroyers and the landing craft were loaded with tanks, trucks, jeeps, plus the army personnel. We were gathering a landing force for Southern France. Two days before sailing, all liberties were canceled. I got up one morning and all you could see was ships--slow ships running at 5 to 15 knots. We were on our way. . .  from the C C Duncan Journal: The WWII Years by Dru Duncan 2017

Y/2C Curtis C. Duncan, Back Row Left

Daddy's story is not  a singular one. It's the story of thousands of others who served in World War II. They have been called "The Greatest Generation." For them, hard times were nothing new. They lived through both the Great Depression and World War II and survived to help build a new and prosperous America that has endured to this day. Through their stories, we can learn what it means to sacrifice for others. After the war, they came back home victorious but changed in many ways as they took on the task of rebuilding this nation. Their love for our country was obvious in everything they did. I consider it an honor to be the daughter of one of those great, but humble, men. . .and to tell his story. . .from the C C Duncan Journal: The WWII Years by Dru Duncan, 2017

 USCGC Duane decked out for the King in Naples Italy, July 1944. CC Duncan on board. DALE ROOKS PHOTO

Please do remember ALL VETERANS this day. . .for their SERVICE to our COUNTRY. . .

whether it was a time of war or peace. . .They each deserve our RECOGNITION.

    Shake a Veteran's hand and tell him

'THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE'

not just today. . .but each time you meet one. . .

Encourage them to tell their story. . .the story of their service to this Nation. . .

STORIES which never should be lost. . .

 And to my Dad. . .a SPECIAL THANKS from me. . .

for enriching my life with HIS STORY. . .