A MIRACLE SHIP … THE PROMISE OF THE REPUBLIC
My observation this Memorial Day will be in honor of my father, a WWII Navy veteran, and classmates and neighbors who were killed in Vietnam or came home with mental and physical damage.
My dad’s tattered copy of an article about his “Miracle Ship”.
From Collier’s Weekly, February 26, 1944.
Harold Wayne Prelipp enlisted in the Navy on December 8, 1941. He was 20 years old and had never been more than 100 miles from Huron County, Ohio. He served aboard the cruiser New Orleans in the Pacific. In a battle near Guadalcanal, a Japanese torpedo blew off her bow. She limped into Sydney, Australia, where a temporary bow was attached, and she set off for Puget Sound Navy Yard for repairs and upgrades. Dad came home with shrapnel in his legs, damaged hearing, and stories about the “American” bar in Sydney. I had the opportunity to drive past the place when on a tour in Sydney. It brought a smile to my face, but unfortunately, I didn’t get to enjoy the liquid refreshments served there.😊
Dad didn’t talk much about his experiences, but when I expressed a desire to enlist, he was adamant that it was not a place for me. When I asked why, he just said I would not be happy there and that I should go to college instead. It was not until the Tailhook scandal broke that I understood what he meant.
College right after high school was not an option for me, nor was it for some of my classmates who were drafted to serve in Vietnam. One returned with malaria, another recently died from exposure to Agent Orange, and a neighbor has his name on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. I encourage anyone who can to visit it. The experience is truly worth the effort.
A trip to Washington, DC, always makes me stop and take a step back for a moment of reflection. This year, as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Republic, let’s all remember the sacrifices so many have made, in blood and treasure. We are again in troubled times, and much is required of us to ensure that our Republic exists for another 250 years. The promise of Freedom, Justice, and Opportunity spelled out in the Declaration of Independence is worth fighting for. Our families and friends fought for it, and I believe it is our duty to carry on the fight against those who seek to take that promise away from us. Join the fight, the fight for a just society for all.
Editor’s Note: The accompanying image is of a page from a 1944 edition of Collier’s Weekly magazine. This text contains historical language, including racial and ethnic slurs, that was common in that era. These terms have been redacted to meet modern standards, while preserving the surrounding historical context. The link leads to a copy of the original, unredacted content.
