The Battle for Okinawa was Fierce and very Dangerous

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There seems to be no let up in the turmoil we are facing right now.

The pandemic is having its way. The rioting is back, and people are on edge.

The pandemic is spreading very fast. In my home state of Oregon, we have over 1,000 virus cases each day. I am on complete lock down because of health issues, and that goes way back to last March. Nine long months of staring at the walls.

It alarms me that the people are rebelling against their governments, because they do not want to wear masks or go into shut down. They care only for themselves and no one else.

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President Trump is having more troops come home from deployment.

That is very good news for the families. What a great timing for the holidays.

President Trump is in a up hill battle for the presidency. The democrats are all over him to concede. Being President Trump, that is not an option. He is battling until the outcome is really known.

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I thought I would give you another excerpt from my upcoming book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life.

This is an excerpt about a WWII veteran that lives right in my hometown of Salem, Oregon. This young man (Age 100) has a story to remember. I will share part of it and you will have to read the rest in the book.(This is call a hook. )

I was doing some grocery shopping when I noticed a guy wearing a WWII hat. I said “Thank you for your service.” He acknowledged my greeting, and we went our separate ways. I continued shopping and I saw him again. I asked him were he was while in the service. He said Okinawa. That was one of the hottest fighting spots during the war. We did some more chit chat, and then we parted ways again.

As I left him I woke up and thought, “Why didn’t you ask him for an interview?? I was kicking myself all the way to the checkout. I came around a barrier at the check stand, and there he was!!! I felt then that this interview was meant to be.

I asked him if I could interview for my book. He said, “Of course,” and he gave me his card. His card said Bob’s Hamburgers. I knew exactly what that place was, because I ate at that restaurant every day when I walked home from school.

I asked him where he got that card. He said, “It is mine!” I looked at the card again, and it said Bob Corey. I was speechless! This guy sold me a hamburger every day, and I even remember talking to him a few times. That was over 60 years ago.

We set up an interview and we went on our ways. I met with him at his home, and sat down on the couch with him. He couldn’t hear very good, so I had to speak louder.

I asked him where in Okinawa he was stationed. He said at the ship yards. He went on to say that they unload all the ships when they came in. He was a Captain and was in charge of a group of men who help unload the ships.

I stated that there were lots of bombing going on in that area. He said, “Oh ya, we had to scurry many times, because some of the planes were Kamikaze pilots.”

I asked him. “What was you worst moment?” He said, “I fell off one of the ships between the ship I was on and a barge that was very close. They both were swaying back and forth. I had to swim fast so that I wasn’t crushed.”

I then asked him what was the worst thing about being there. He said, “The never ending bombing. “

He went to share much more, but you be able to read it in the book.

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How you are doing my brother/sister?

We are tumultuous times. It is hard, at best, to cope. ‘

Fear not.

There are over 10,100 veterans here who have your back.

However, if it just too overwhelming for you right now, GET HELP!!

Here is a toll free number for you to call 24/7 and it is free. There are highly qualified counselors there to help you. They will not hang up until they know you are OK.

1-800-273-8255 Option #1

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Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never, ever, give up!

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USS Aircraft Carrier Found in the South Pacific

I am going back to sharing some military stories. Many are very recent. Some are short and some are very informative.

USS Hornet Found in South Pacific

The wreckage of a U.S. aircraft carrier famous for launching a bombing raid on Japan four months after the Pearl Harbor attack was discovered in January.

B-52 bombers took off from the Hornet took off on April 18th, 1942 to attack the Japanese mainland. The attack was led by Lt Col James H. Doolittle.

Six months later the Hornet was put out of commission after being struck by multiple bombs and torpedoes.

While being towed by the USS Northampton the Hornet was attacked again by 11 Japanese bombers.

To prevent its capture, U.S. ships scuttled the Hornet with 16 torpedoes. When it finally sank It took the bodies of 140 sailors with it.

The estate of Paul Allen, Microsoft co-founder, funded the operation to find it.

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I have another interview to share with you from my upcoming book:

In my book, Signs of Hope for the Military: In and Out of the Trenches of Life,

I have many interviews. Here is part of one of many:

I had the honor of accidentally connecting with a WWII veteran while shopping at my local grocery store. I saw him as I walked down the first aisle. I walked past him and then thought, Why didn’t I say hello and thank him for his service.

Then when I came into the milk aisle I saw him again. I walked over to him and told him thank you for his service. He said he was in Okinawa during the war. That was one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

We said our goodbyes, and went on. Then I wondered why I didn’t ask him if I could interview him. I was very angry with myself.

I got all my groceries and was heading towards a register. They have those dividers between each register so you can’t see the head of the line until you get there.

I came around the divider and there was the WWII veteran right ahead of me. That did it. I quickly asked him if we could meet and let me interview him. He said he would be glad to do it.

He gave me a card with his phone number on it and we parted our ways.

The next day I arranged to meet him at his home.

Here is what happened during the interview

I sat on the couch close to him because his hearing wasn’t good. I found out he was 98 years old. He look great for that age.

I began to ask him questions

DB

What did you do while in Okinawa?

WWII VET

I was a Captain, and in charge of a company of shipping crews. We unloaded the ships as they came into the harbor.

DB

You actually unloaded the supplies, ammo, and equipment for those that were on the front not far from you? That was a pretty vital mission.

WWII VET

Yes it was, and we were being bombed by the Japanese constantly.

DB

What was your worst moment?

WWII Vet

I was on one of the ships and I fell overboard right between a barge and the ship. They were very close together. I had to struggle and swim to the end of the ship to get out.

I also had to keep our men safe from all the bombing.

There is much more to this interview, but you will have to buy the book to find out what else he said. (This is called a hook!)

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As a veteran, if you are struggling with the world as you know it, and having trouble mixing in the civilian world, you certainly are not alone. There thousands of your fellow brothers and sisters struggling along with you.

It is not showing you are weak by getting help. 22 veterans take their own lives every day. Many didn’t even try to seek help.

If you are struggling with PTSD, TBI, anxiety, depression, get help and do it now. There is a 24/7 connection for you to call at:

1-800-273-8255

Remember:

You are never alone.

You are never forsaken.

You are never unloved.

And above all…never ever, give up!