Lest We Forget…Honoring Our Veterans

I’m going to be completely honest here…for the most part, I have been guilty of thinking of Memorial Day as a day off from work and school, a weekend to travel, and a day to have pool parties and BBQs. I have been quick to wish people a “Happy Memorial Day” without really thinking about how that might feel to the person to whom I am speaking.

The reality is, Memorial Day is not always a “happy” memory for many people. To veterans who put their lives on the line for our freedom, Memorial Day may bring back memories of fighting and war, the loss of family and friends, and memories of actions performed to keep others safe. There may be anger, sadness, fear, and guilt.

For the family members who lost loved ones or are living with PTSD in those who returned home from service or war, Memorial Day may not be very “happy.” In fact, his day may be filled with reliving some very difficult memories and experiencing some heart-wrenching emotions.

What is Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is an American holiday that honors men and women who died while serving in any branch of the US military. The day was originally known as Decoration Day and originated during the years following the Civil War. In 1868, General John A. Logan called for a nationwide day of remembrance.

“The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village and hamlet churchyard in the land.”

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/memorial-day-history

Memorial Day did not become an official federal holiday until 1971.

Serving His Country

I have known since I was little that my daddy served in the United States Navy. He did not talk about it much but I do remember asking him about the ship on which he served. When I was in high school, I found an address where I could write to request a free printout of many of the ships’ blueprints for the Navy. This was before the internet and I actually had to handwrite a letter, address an envelope, and put a stamp on the letter (GASP). I waited several weeks to find out that his ship was not one that had a blueprint.  Phewy!!

Many of the blueprints are now online. In fact, in some cases you can download a PDF blueprint immediately. Here are some websites to help locate these blueprints.

Naval Heritage and History Command: https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/sources-of-ship-plans.html

San Francisco Maritime National Park Association: https://maritime.org/doc/plans/

Smithsonian National Museum of American History: https://americanhistory.si.edu/about/departments/work-and-industry/ship-plans

Prior Service Veteran Superstore: https://www.priorservice.com/shprbywicdri.html

National Archives: https://www.archives.gov/research/military/navy-ship

As I grew older, I wanted to understand more about my dad’s time in the Navy. I knew bits and pieces but I knew that there was more to learn. Sadly, I do not know the whole story, but this is what I have been able to piece together.

Time in the Navy

My dad joined the US Navy and was ordered to active duty on July 5, 1965. He served as a Dental Officer and Head of the Dental Department on the USS Cavalier (APA-37). The USS Cavalier was a Bayfield-class attack transport commissioned on January 16, 1944. My dad was stationed in San Diego and spent months at sea, as well as time in Vietnam, Japan, and Hawaii.

During his service, he was responsible for the dental care of the enlisted men and officers on his ship. He told me many times that the ship was so big that he never felt claustrophobic nor did he get seasick. I just think of the relief he gave to so many officers and sailors so that they could perform their duties pain free.

During one particular tour at sea, my precious daddy needed a root canal. Since he could not perform the procedure on himself, he needed to see a dentist on another ship. And this wasn’t a situation where his ship could dock and let him off. Nope!! A second ship was required to pull alongside his ship and he was expected to cross.

From one ship. To the other. While at sea. While moving!!!

Now keep in mind, he was in excruciating pain. He was loaded into a cage, or pipe frame chair, and sent across to the other ship. This is called a sea hi-line transfer. This may sound easy or fun but let’s remember, he was on a moving ship that needed to maintain a constant and equal speed to that of another ship with a man dangling between them over the ocean.

The root canal was performed and he was sent back the same way. I asked him about this once as it sounded truly terrifying. He said his biggest fear was that the ships would not maintain the same speed and they would get sucked together and he would be squashed in the middle. Yeah…I think I’ll just drive to my dentist’s office!!

After leaving active duty, my dad was transferred to the Naval Reserve. During his time in service he earned the National Defense Vietnam Service Metal with a bronze star.

THANK YOU Lt. Frank H. Farrington…we salute and honor you.

I will never see Memorial Day as just another day. I admire and thank EVERY person who has ever served.

May we never forget!!