Intermission Story (9) – A Special Woman
Last December the world lost a very special person, Florence Ebersole Smith Finch, (101).
Florence Ebersole Smith Finch, USCGR
Coast Guard SPAR decorated for combat operations during World War II
By William H. Thiesen, Ph.D.
U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area Historian
Of the thousands of women who have served with honor in the United States Coast Guard, one stands out for her bravery and devotion to duty. Florence Smith Finch, the daughter of a U.S. Army veteran and Filipino mother, was born on the island of Luzon, north of Manila, in Santiago City. She married navy PT boat crewman Charles E. Smith while working for an army intelligence unit located in Manila. In 1942, after the Japanese invaded the Philippines, her young husband died trying to re-supply American and Filipino troops trapped by the enemy on Corregidor Island and the Bataan Peninsula.
After the Japanese occupied Manila, Finch avoided internment by claiming her Philippine citizenship. She received a note from her imprisoned army intelligence boss regarding shortages of food and medicine in the POW camps. Finch began assisting with locating and providing smuggled supplies to American POWs and helping provide fuel to Filipino guerrillas. In October 1944, the Japanese arrested Finch, beating, torturing and interrogating her during her initial confinement. Through it all, she never revealed information regarding her underground operations or fellow resisters.
When American forces liberated her prison camp in February 1945, Finch weighed only eighty pounds. She boarded a Coast Guard-manned transport returning to the United States and moved to her late father’s hometown of Buffalo, New York. In July 1945, she enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, eager to continue the struggle against an enemy that had killed her husband. Finch served through the end of the war and was among the first Pacific-Island American women to don a Coast Guard uniform.
After the war, she met U.S. Army veteran Robert Finch. They married and moved to Ithaca, New York, where she lived the remainder of her life. Of the thousands of SPARs serving in World War II, she was the first to be honored with the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Ribbon. In November 1947, she received the U.S. Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian medal awarded to Americans who aided in the war effort. In 1995, the Coast Guard honored her service by naming a facility for her at Coast Guard Base Honolulu.
Ms. Finch crossed the bar on 8 December 2016.
- Read her written answers to questions submitted to her regarding her remarkable life and career, first as a resistance fighter in the Philippines and then as a SPAR
Click on images to enlarge.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Peter Aczel – brn: HUN/ Quakertown, NY; US Army Air Corps
Alfred Biegert Jr. – San Antonio, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, Photo Lab technician
Arthur Gosselin Jr. – Springfield, MA; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Douglas Hardy – New Plymouth, NZ; RNZ Army # 64450, Sgt.
Stanley Krumholz – Far Rockaway, NY; US Navy, WWII, PTO, PT-190 Jack’O’Diamonds
Gerald Larson – Red Oak, AR; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Robert Murray Jr. – Pittsburgh, PA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, Sgt., 11th Airborne Division
Donald Perdue – Vancouver, CAN; RC Army, Korea, Queen’s Own Rifles
Hank von der Heyde Jr. – Jacksonville, FL; USMC, WWII (Ret.)
Baxter Webb – Hapeville, GA; US Army, Lt., Tank Platoon/4th Division
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Posted on July 24, 2017, in First-hand Accounts, WWII and tagged History, Japan, Military History, Pacific War, Philippines, Tributes, US Coast Guard, veterans, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 146 Comments.
Fascinating story of heroic woman!
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Thank you for coming by to read about her, Peter. I greatly appreciate your attention to this site.
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An incredibly strong woman, by the sound of it, particularly to have suffered so much by the Japanese at the time and survived.
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Not only survived, but kept going!! That to me is very strong woman!! Thanks for the visit, Val.
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Tough broad and genuine hero.
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They don’t come much stronger!! Thanks, Lloyd.
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What a story! I have great admiration for the Philippine people like her who, in spite of the danger they put themselves in, did all they could to help win the war.
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She is another that went a long time before receiving merit for her actions. But hopefully her story will live on as a role model for others.
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Well Honored.
Well deserved.
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Indeed. Thank you!!
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Florence is remarkable and her humble and brave heart shines through. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. X
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Stories like these are such a pleasure. Ms. Finch was a strong person. Even with all the physical and emotional pain she held true!
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Yes, a fortitude that shines through.
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There’s never enough recognition given to the many women of WWII, who served with so much distinction whether in the services or in the factories keeping the front line troops well supplied.
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In and out of the service – the women pitched in everywhere they could find. I’ve done a number of posts for the women, but this is my favorite….
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Reblogged this on Hinges of History and commented:
What an inspiration.
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So many have stopped in to read James Stewart and Ms. Finch’s story – two people I feel should be outstanding role models for this generation. Thank you.
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What an amazing woman, thank you for sharing.
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You are more than welcome! Stories like this are a pleasure.
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Reblogged this on When Women Inspire and commented:
An inspirational woman, indeed! Thank you GP Cox for sharing this tribute to Florence Ebersole Smith Finch. Reblog!
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I thank you for helping to share this wonderful person’s life.
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What an amazing story- thank you for sharing! (Also, the submariner jokes are fantastic 🙂 )
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I thank you for coming by and saying so, Anne. And, I’m always trying to give people a smile or two!!
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At the end of the day… what can we do without them? And this woman is very extraordinary to say the least, thank you for sharing this piece of history.
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We are supposed to take up the torch they leave behind – but how many actually bother to do anything? I know you served, but look around at others and what do you see?
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What I see at age 34, or they call it the “milleniums” there in th U.S, I see a bunch of spoiled brats that go to Harvard and protest for things like equal pay, screw equal pay I’m more than glad to have a job as a freaking gardener when my so called boss calls me, so what I see is ” generation of a bunch of pussification”.
And these idiots protes what? They are lucky to live in the U.S, your feelings got hurt? So sorry we all must cry, get a real job and tough it up. Although most probably these kids, that I don’t know why I’m suppose to be a “millenium” generations, it seems it’s up to the age of 35. So I’m me and they, or most of them, are spoiled brats that has given to them everything and then they protest against the “system”. As you can see you got me started here, I better shut up and keep on writing until my cool boss calls me to do this garden or the other. At 34 degrees celcious that we are here in Spain, tell that to those rich bastards that protest against the so called “opressive system”, I actually got to the conclusion that they really don’t study, they get bored,so why not invent something to protest? Life is not fair, deal with it. That is what I see at least through Fox news and other channels I like to see the different points of view, I do realize Fox is to the right, and the others ABC, CBS, CNN, e.t.c are to the left.
Point being….what a comment I’m saying here, I think this is a book, the point is that this generation by enlarge is a softy one.
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Thank you for speaking up.
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Wow! Thank you. Michael
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You’re a good man, Michael.
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thank you very much. Her story has been very well received by my readers.
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Thank you very much! The story is very informative and very great. Have a nice day. 😉 Michael
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Reblogged this on Ancien Hippie and commented:
A GREAT Story!!!
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Thank you very much. She really is special, isn’t she?!!
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…and what an amazing woman. I should compile a giant, fat book of stories like this and pass it out to my friends. You could just randomly turn to a page and get your inspiration for the day. All your personal troubles and difficulties are easier when you hear of other people’s diligent work and triumphs during their lives. Their stories keep you company on your own journey…makes you stand up taller…puts a little steel in your spine…
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You should do just that, Doc!! No joke! I’ll buy it, that’s for sure!!
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Fantastic post. I always learn so much from you!
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I’m very glad you found it interesting, Lynn. I appreciate you stopping in today.
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You are right…it is not only the people on the front line who win wars…
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I’ve said it many times – it takes an army to keep one man on the front lines! Thank you for coming by Helen!
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This would be my choice for a guest post on 19 August,1942.
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And it lands on a Saturday – perfect!
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I will update that story in the comment section after because there is more behind that story.
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Certainly. It will also give you info to talk about with the readers – I get so boring in my replies!
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A brave woman who, for me, is crying out for a statue somewhere. Are there any bases in the Philippines which could have a statue in front of the entrance?
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There are many places a statue for Ms. Finch would seem appropriate, but I think these are best
http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/manila-memorials.htm
and if not possible, then the manila American Cemetery.
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Great story. There must have been a lot of unsung heroes in those times. I like her last comment telling the questioners that they hadn’t mentioned the WIMSA.
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Well, you have to admit she’s right! I appreciate you following the link to read her life in her own words.
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You sort of have to don’t you. You went to a lot of trouble to write the story – least I could do was read it. And I was the one rewarded.
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What a wonderful comment – thank you so much for feeling that way!!
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thank you, John. She has a story worth retelling over and over again!!
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You are very graciously welcome.
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Inspirational
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Yes, she is!
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A good reminder of the role that women have played, and continue to play in the Coast Guard, G. –Curt
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So many concentrate on the ‘man on the front’ type stories for the dramatic affect, so stories like these go by the wayside. I feel it takes a combination of support from everyone to succeed like that generation did!!
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It’s a changed world out there now, GP. Tony’s commander at the Coast Guard Academy is a woman. –Curt
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As long as she does her job – she had the glass ceiling broken by women like Ms. Finch. Where are they stationed?
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A lot of respect for this great lady who lost her husband so young in war.She did you much to help the in dangerous moments.Good they never forgot all the good things she did
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And hopefully they never will, Mary Lou. Women like this deserve the recognition.
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Thanks so much for sharing the story of this remarkable woman.
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You are very welcome, Penny. I appreciate you taking the the time to read her story.
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Super story. Thanks GP
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I wish i could thank every one of those who worked so hard to finish that war!!
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I think through your blog you are.
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That’s very nice of you to say.
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They call me truth man (except when I’m writing fiction)
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Thank you so much for the post! An amazing lady.
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My pleasure. She was very special!
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What a brave woman! Another very inspiring story 🙂
After losing her young husband and I enduring torture, I pray that she had a blessed life from that point on. She deserved it!
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She went peacefully, with her loving family by her side.
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An amazing and inspiring Lady.
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Another one we knew so little about all these years.
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Thank you for presenting the merits of this brave and interesting person to a wider audience, GP Cox. We say well done, Florence Ebersole Smith Finch and well done, GP Cox!
Greetings from rainy Norfolk,
The Fab Four of Cley
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Klausbernd,
I appreciate you taking the time to read about this incredible woman. We all feel it was wonderful that she should not only live a long life, but a happy one!
May the fab Four of Cley have the best weekend ever!
GP Cox
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For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
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Simon, you, Rich and I all figure Tennyson is the proper tribute for Ms. Finch. Thank you.
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I feel honoured to be in such company and feel enormous admiration for Ms Finch.
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Agreed!!
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She was an extraordinary person. Her story definitely needs to be in front of a wider audience.
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Most certainly!! People like Ms. Finch don’t come along every day.
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Lol!! The cartoons are really good- the naval officer locked out of the submarine is hilarious! Intense submarine race….not to my naked eye haha😂 Oh and for the serious part…the woman is indeed special! Thanks for laughs and historical info😊
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My pleasure. It’s the least I can do for the bloggers who give me so much information, education and laughs everyday!!
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Hey GP, I came across this wartime reminiscence by Freeman Dyson of his work for Bomber Command. For those who do not know who Prof. Dyson is, think of him as the Einstein of our age. The article is very readable and reveals an interesting view on strategic bombing.
https://www.technologyreview.com/s/406789/a-failure-of-intelligence/
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That is quite the article. He had many a story to tell his grandchildren, eh? Smeed certainly knew his stuff, quite the analytical mind.
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What an inspiration.
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Quite a role model, eh?! She started what women like your daughter now pick up the torch to continue.
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She lived to 101 years old?
After the War, her remaining life was happy?(I hope ,she was Happy):D
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Yes, she was very happy. That is nice to hear once in a while, isn’t it?!!
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Hehehe XD!!
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Quite the woman! I particularly enjoy stories about the women who served in the military. It’s often talked about as if it’s a new thing, but they’ve been finding ways to serve for a good long time. Maybe not as heroically as this woman, though.
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I agree, Dan. The woman did a great job in WWII, whether in the military or not, but this one [IMO] really takes the cake!!
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Wow! Another story of an incredible woman, caught in extremely difficult circumstances not of her own making, who simply put her shoulder to the plow and carried on.
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I thought you might enjoy her story, especially being as she worked intelligence in the P.I. Thank you for continuing to read here, Patricia.
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Special and incredible, GP! So glad to see that she lived a long and happy life with her family after enduring what she did.
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THAT is great to hear for a change, isn’t it?!! She deserved whatever happiness came her way!
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I really enjoy these posts. Thank you for sharing these stories!
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I’m glad to hear that you find them interesting. There are so many for us to thank – just wish I could post them all!!
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What an incredible Lady.
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Isn’t she?!! You don’t hear about that very often, especially back in the day when the men were the only people supposedly on the front lines.
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You are so right, which makes her memory even more important doesn’t it, and thanks to you, you have made us all aware of her and all she achieved. You do such a wonderful job.
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Thank you.
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Wonderful person and her written answers are very interesting.
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Thank you for following through to the link, Ann. You’ve done quite a bit of reading today!! A woman like this doesn’t come along every day!!
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Thank you for sharing this story. We know so little in general about the people who served, especially the women who served and who lost so much.
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I think Ms. Finch went above and beyond what was expected of her too!!
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An amazing and honorable life! Love the cartoons today 🙂
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So glad you found Ms. Finch’s story interesting, Hollie. And I’m always willing to try and give some one a smile with the humor.
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What an incredible story GP, and what an extraordinary lady Florence Finch was. If I may, I would like to honor her with the words of Alfred, Lord Tennyson;
Sunset and evening star,
And one clear call for me!
And may there be no moaning of the bar,
When I put out to sea,
But such a tide as moving seems asleep,
Too full for sound and foam,
When that which drew from out the boundless deep
Turns again home.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho’ from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.
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You honor her very well,Rich. Thank you very much!
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The honor is all hers GP. Thank you so much for posting her story.
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I wish I could post them all!
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Some woman – I’m pleased she had such a long life
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It is great that one of the brave ones lived to enjoy the freedom they worked for, eh? Thank you for reading this morning, Derrick.
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Thank you for sharing the story.
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Thank you for sharing this story on your list.
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Thank you for helping me to honor this woman, Andrew.
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