[GreenKeys] re: veterans memorial info request on Vets day, 2007

[KC0NNC at aol.com]

My father Harry Eugene Smith was stationed on the Ralph Talbot destroyer, in 
Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941, a day that will live in infamy.
 
His present ham call sign (and only ham sign since he was a ham from shortly 
after the war ended to the present day)  is W0WUR, his wife, now deceased, (my 
mother Margery Louise Moylan carried the call sign of W0GQO). 
 
Best rate he carried was Machinist's Mate First class,  date of joining the 
Navy was 1939.  date of discharge due to a heavy build up of lead in the ass 
(while dodging a .25 cal jap strafing run while on deck on General Quarters, 
when  in the Guadal Canal offensive) as he now comments after participating in 17 
major sea engagements in the south pacific theater,   "the only good thing 
about zigging when you should have zagged, and getting your ass shot off,  was 
that the very pretty nurses on the hospital ship working on your buttocks while 
you laid on your tummy, was that they would give you all the vanilla ice 
cream you asked for"
 
Oh well, perhaps this was "off subject and requested point" but I am proud to 
say that I did accompany my dad to his 65th anniversary of getting jap bombs 
dropped on or near the Ralph Talbot  (this reunion was almost a year ago now)  
in Pearl Harbor, to attend what was probably his last Dec. 7th reunion.
 
Any one reading this would do well to visit the USS Arizona and Missouri (as 
we did) and thereby develop an appreciation for the true freedom we enjoy.
 
 
I hope to return there several times in the balance of my life.  I feel I owe 
it to those who did not return home. By the way; if you ever have the 
opportunity to visit Pearl Harbor, be sure and visit the Punch Bowl, MIA cemetery 
just a few blocks from downtown Honolulu, it will alter your perspective on life. 
 Just as seeing the movie "Saving Private Ryan" did as well.
 
God Bless America.
 
and best regards to all reading this note

Harvey E. Smith
2020 Baculite Mesa Road
Pueblo, CO., 81001-2456
719 406 9735

fka WA0BBG
nka KC0NNC

HarveyEsmith at aol.com

KC0NNC at aol.com


73's



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