Took a road trip Sunday for turkey scouting up around Polo and went into the Cafe at I 35 and 116. Saw an older fella walkin in with a WWII veterans hat--Iwo Jima. Long story short, I asked him bout the hat and told him I was a history teacher. Listened to the gentleman talk for the next 30 minutes. Signed up at 17 with his parents permission. Navy corps medic went in with the marines on the initial landing on Iwo. Purple heart and bronze star. I'm terrible with names, but I believe he said his name was Carl. Some of you folks up that way may know him.
I never got to know my own grandfather who was an island hopper, but I enjoyed visiting with him. Don't know if he realizes the impression he made or not. When I left, I thanked him for his service. There's still a few of em left