On December 7, 1941 my father was out enjoying his 15th birthday by playing football in the streets with his friends when his mother called him in. He was irritated that she interrupted when, after all, it was HIS birthday, and he should be able to play the way he wanted to. But you didn’t say no to his mother when she gave an order.
She had the radio on, and she sat the kids down and said, “We need to hear this.” Strange for his mother, because she usually only allowed music or plays on the radio.
There he sat when FDR announced that our country had been attacked by the Japanese at Pearl Harbor.
My father was stunned, as I’m certain the rest of our country was at that moment.
The next day he tried to sign on to the military, but they wouldn’t allow him in, as he had to admit he’d just turned 15.
He spent two years frustrated, wanting so much to be part of the cause. Finally, at 17, they took him in. I’m still not sure if he lied about his age or not, but they took him. He was so determined to fight for his country.
He joined the Navy, and spent two years on one of those BIG ships. Destroyer, maybe?
He and his fellow vets still alive get together every year to remember. This might not seem like it has anything to do with Independence Day, but actually, it does.
My father, my siblings and I are direct descendants of two Mayflower travelers. Miles Standish and John Alden, both. They obviously weren’t involved in American Independence themselves, but their descendants were. And the descendants of those were, like my dad who fought to keep America strong in WWII.
I have a very proud heritage of men and women who cherish this country and its independence. Happy 4th, everyone!
Trish Jensen
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