I don't know how many '58s have served in the armed forces. Maybe a hundred or more.Pete Kobes has the longest tenure as an officer, followed by professionals like Bill Ice, Allan Stephens, Bob Shewmaker, Bob Wicks, and Bob Willis. Taavo Saviste was a Green Beret. Charley Harmony spent two years in Alaska. C. E. Welch, Steve Kwedar, and Dave Dodge served in Vietnam. Bo Overaker died on duty in Europe.
Doubtless, I have skipped many names—please, supply them in comments, and did any women in our class serve?
On this Memorial Day, the veteran I remember is Mike Nation. We were friends, and the only picture I have of him is the one above, from our yearbook. On our Memorial page, Mike is the second casualty. He died on Sunday, July 25, 1965. He was flying a Navy patrol plane and it crashed in the sea. He was 24 years old.
The yearbook is right: he was sharp, fun-loving, and in college he studied psychology. In the summer of 1960 we both worked on a state parking survey. Every morning, Mike arrived at my house to give me a ride. On the survey, he liked to ask people where they had been or were going. I said he would make a great shrink. He was dating Patty Lock, said he would marry her, and he did.
After that summer I lost track of Mike until 1965. His death made me ask why him and not me, or any of his other friends. All these years later, I still don't know, and the wars go on. Bill Golladay has a son flying in Iraq. I have a nephew on duty in Afghanistan. We all have connections to veterans, and to many who died in service. Today is a day to remember them.
4 comments:
How nice to remember Mike and the other classmates who served in our Armed Forces in defense of our nation on our national day of rememberance.
I believe Steve Kwedar also served in Vietnam.
Ann
Ann,
Thanks for the comment. I added Steve Kwedar and C. E. Welch to the list of men who served in Vietnam. Still wondering if any women from '58 served in Vietnam.
Will
Will,
Thanks once more for your faithfulness in publishing this great Blog and for giving us all a chance to participate.
Those who live every day with fresh anticipation of good things have eyes to see the love and blessings of God through dedicated servants like you who give up time and effort so the rest of us may benefit.
Wisdom simply is knowing we do not know and in seeking we surely find.
Memorial Day we took three of our grandchildren to GoldenGate National Cemetary and were awed by the 138,000 Graves...decorated by the BoyScouts and Girl Scouts with small American flags. The ceremony included several GOLD STAR Mom's reading a letter or a poem from their recently deceased heros...
But the most impressive part was listening to several OLD VETS who had survived Pearl Harbour...way back when you and I were babes in arms. Tears flowed as they saluted our flag and Taps were played.
GOD BLESSED with this ceremony and we hope impressed our little guys with a memory of a holiday that should be more than hotdogs and ballgames and trips to theme parks.
Again heartfelt thanks for your posts.
Bob's Wife
As always, Will, job well done our good and faithful servant. Thanks for keeping the importance of this Memorial Day holiday in our forefront. Although I never served, I am humbled and honored each year to recognize and remember this important holiday, especially with the pride of a father of an Army career man.
God bless those who served and especially those like our own Mike Nation who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Belated happy holiday.
Tom Downs
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