Everett (Smitty) Smith
Everett Smith was born Dec. 12, 1914 and grew up with the gentle waves of Jamaica Bay on an island one mile long and barely four blocks wide. This was the tight-knit community of Broad Channel, New York. He resided with his mother, Anna at peaceful 207 East 9th Road and spent his days between school, working and helping to care for his grandmother.
Everett’s nickname had always been “Smitty” and so, the name of his fishing station came to be. In 1939, at 24 years of age, he married a woman named Catherine and she joined the Smith household.
News of Hitler and his rise to power filtered into the newspapers and radio, but Anna still had the memories of WWI and their financial struggles in what would be become known as the Great Depression made the problems of Europe so far away.
The majority of the U.S. population held the ideal of isolationism in high regard and the Smith household agreed wholeheartedly. Everett was baffled by FDR’s election as his past political and personal records indicated both amoral and often criminal behavior. The president began to stretch his powers to the limit to assist his friend, Winston Churchill, while U.S. citizens were straining to survive.
On Oct. 30, 1940, Roosevelt spouted in Boston, “I give you one more assurance. I have said it before, but I shall say it again and again and again: Your boys are not going to be sent to any foreign wars.” My father did not believe FDR then and as we look back — he was right.
Everett received his draft notice in Sept. 1942. He would be sent to Fort Dix, New Jersey where he volunteered for the paratroopers. He would immediately then be sent to Camp MacKall, North Carolina for the start of his vigorous training. Smitty became part of one of the most unique army units of its day, the HQ Co./187th/ 11th Airborne Division.
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Chris Andreadakis – Youngstown, OH; US Army, WWII, ETO
Paul Brown (100) – Saginaw, MI; US navy, WWII
Thomas ‘Millar’ Bryce (101) – Saskatchewan, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, navigator
Robert “Cookie” Cook (100) – Rochester, NY; US Army, WWII
Aaron M. Fish – USA; US Navy, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 5, Petty Officer 3rd Class
Dick Hall (100) – Murray, NE; US Army, WWII, ETO, 94th Chemical Mortars/3rd Army Tank Battalion, Lt.
E. Allan Logel (100) – Mapelwood, NJ; US Army, WWII, PTO, Captain, Strategic planning
Donald Myers – Cambria, IA; US Navy, WWII, PTO & Korea
Ken P. Smith – USA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 2/187/11th Airborne Division
Martha Watts – Charleston, NC; US Army WAC, WWII
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Posted on March 8, 2021, in ABOUT, Broad Channel, WWII and tagged 11th airborne, 1940's, Airborne, Army, Everett Smith, family history, History, Military, Military History, Pacific War, WW2, WWII. Bookmark the permalink. 169 Comments.
Hey friend you are top of the world i like your post
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Thank you.
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Great tribute to your father, GP. Through his story we learn history.
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You and me both!! My interest in WWII started when I was a kid and found my father’s scrapbook.
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You are lucky you have your father’s scrapbook and all these photos.
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Some people have more than I and some have less, but I feel every piece to the puzzle of the past is valuable.
Thank you for being so loyal here, Dolly. You’re a treasure.
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Definitely, every piece is precious, and you are blessed to have them, dear friend.
When I was expelled from the USSR as “the enemy of the people,” I was not allowed to take anything with me, other than my son, of course, and the clothes on my back. Between my son and I, we have collected and sorted out old photos that my parents and grandparents were able to bring here, which is not much, unfortunately. That’s why I consider you very lucky, GP!
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I can relate to how you feel. In 1978, I had my house burn down. Luckily Dad had not yet given me anything of his, but so much was lost.
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I can understand what it feels like to lose everything, GP!
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I aurge everyone to get on my link https://linktr.ee/culgrin to visit my blog and listen to my songs ,my EP is live on all PLATFORMS, everyone should help me share with friends and family
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Everyone has different interests and saying that everyone should help you is no way to get new readers. Try going on the Reader page and type in Tags for interests you have, such as Music, Song Writing, Musical instruments…..
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Yeah ,we need to keep more history visit my blog
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The veil is lifted. How naive we were!
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Politicians are gifted con-men & women, in my opinion.
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Thank you
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👍😊
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Very nice, a personal story about how our lives pan out.. A good one GP! 💜💜💜
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Thank you for visiting and all that good food!!
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
THANK YOU FOR REMEMBERING THE PROUD SERVICE INCLUDING YOURSELF–OF MEN AND WOMEN FOR THIS COUNTRY!
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I thank you, Jonathan!!
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YOU ARE WELCOME SIR!
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I am struck by the draft card photo GP. What a feeling it must have been for families to receive one in the mail box.
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I can not imagine.
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Hallelujah and Amen GOD Bless All our Veterans and their Families and Friendds!!
Love Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
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Thank you, Kristi Ann.
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It’s so great reading of your dad and gives me such a warm feeling.I have a lot of problems with internet on this time
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Ik ben zo blij dat je nog steeds geniet van de berichten, Marylou. Ik heb zelf problemen gehad om online te gaan, maar ik weet niet of het internet, de oude bedrading van mijn gemeenschap of mijn computer de problemen veroorzaakt. Ik wou dat ik meer begreep van computers.
Blijf veilig, mijn vriend!
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Great story
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Thank you for coming by to read it, Sarge!
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I hadn’t realized that FDR had such a bad background, since we rarely hear about it these days. But it just goes to show that “the more things change, the more they remain the same.” Politicians sure haven’t changed much, have they?
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Not as far as I can see.
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It’s great to see the reintroduction of your father on your blog. Bet he’d be floored by the amount of interest his story has generated!
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I used to ask him to let me try and get his letters, etc. published and he would just smile and say “Who would ever be interested in what I said so long ago? Don’t bother.” He would be floored by all this!!
Talking about Dad also means I’ll be back talking about the 5th A.F.! If you happen to find more info on the 11th Airborne than I have – please post it on your site and I will reblog it.
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We’ll keep an eye out for that info!
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Most people today just don’t know the personal sacrifice that so many made to bring WW II to a conclusion. Lives were interrupted and often lost and whole families torn apart. Today for most kids it’s not even a footnote on their smart phone. History is a great teacher if only people would listen.
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Exactly! I’ve been preaching that for years, but it seems to fall on deaf ears.
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I’m so glad you’ve gone back and provided some background; I hope there will be more. I remember you talking about fishing and the water, but I somehow assumed you were Florida-born. Not so! It’s doubly interesting to me because I’ve always tended to think of New York as wholly urban. It’s only been in the past years that I’ve gotten a grasp on a quite different world there!
FDR’s “Your boys are not going to be sent to any foreign wars” brought to mind “Read my lips — no new taxes.” Politicians’ ability to read the room and tell people what they want to hear is quite something.
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Broad Channel is considered Queens County, a borough of NYC, but it is totally unique! I used to love to travel to upstate NY as well, like New England – they also had more rootin’ tootin’ cowboys than GA ever had!! I am so happy you are interested, you would have loved Dad!!
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I think I would have. I’ll bet he would have been willing to sit on a porch and tell stories!
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Yes he would! But he would never tell you anything too gory. He preferred the humorous stories.
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Like father, like son, I suspect.
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I’ve tried to keep this site as he would approve. But I have to admit, my own attitude sometimes pokes through in the comments. 😬
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And no one minds a bit!
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🧐
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This was wonderful! I so enjoyed the early years of your dad and his family, and also the perspective of Americans at that time. Roosevelt was not the beloved character I was taught about in school. My grandmother reminded me of that many times.
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How he managed to be re-elected for 4 terms amazes me!
Thanks for dropping by to read about Dad. You would have liked him.
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I know! It amazes me, too. You’re welcome, GP. I know I would have liked your dad.
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Wonderful to know your father, GP. Looking forward for more since I was not here from the start. I agree about FDR. “Your boys are not going to be sent to any foreign wars.” What a joke! He got a pass on his scandals, just like what is happening today with someone at the WH.
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It has happened more than once, Rose. The bigger the myth – the more scandals there are to try and hide.
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GP, I love this post — the descriptions, the photos. Heartfelt thanks for sharing it with us. Hugs on the wing!
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Thank you, Teagan.
I also need to thank you for considering making us clockwork figures in your story at some time. Pat and I can travel aboard the Pearl forever that way!
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Such bright eyes in that first photograph
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Thanks for coming by, Derrick!
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Thanks for sharing about you father’s life before he joined
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It’s the whole reason behind this website!
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I noticed!!
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Thank God that Roosevelt helped us during the early years of the war. What would have happened otherwise? All of Europe and the Soviet Union under Hitler’s heel and all of the western Pacific and Asia under the Japanese. And they wouldn’t have stopped there!
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There are always other sides to a story. The problem was, he did not have Congressional approval for most of what he sent you, and the citizens were in such bad shape they wanted no part of helping Europe when they were starving. Then we have your side, where you were being bombed!
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I am SO honored to be meeting your father through you, GP. I look forward to getting to know more about him. Even if I learned nothing about him…I would be grateful to him for two things….
1. for serving our country.
2. for raising a son like you.
Thank you, Smitty!
I’m sitting here with joy-tears in my eyes.
(((HUGS))) 🙂
PS…the boot camp humor made me snort-laugh. So, that proves I’ve never been to boot camp. If I had I might not find that funny. 🙂 My only connection to it is stories I’ve heard from men and women who have served, having met a few Drill sergeants/instructors, Sergeant Carter on Gomer Pyle USMC, and Marine Gunnery Sergeant Tom Highway (Clint Eastwood) in the movie Heartbreak Ridge. 🙂 Ha. 🙂
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You always have such outstanding comments! I can’t thank you enough.
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Reblogged this on depolreablesunite.
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Thank you, Rick.
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I always meant to go back and read the posts about your father- I’m looking forward to more installments! (It’s funny, I just read a WWII nurse’s memoirs and she had some choice things to say about FDR, too.)
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If you were to Google the FDR Scandal Page, the articles pop up that will knock your sock off!
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Thank you for this personal story. Are we going to learn more about Smitty in an upcoming post?
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Or do you think I should give a preview of what led up to the war? And then back to Dad?
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Good idea, and of course, that gives you more posts. I didn’t realize that Smitty was your Dad. I need to go reread the story. Thanks GP.
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Thanks for your in-put, Tim.
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You are welcome. Always enjoy your stories.
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Thank you very much.
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I’m thinking how sad your mother and grandmother must have been the day he received his draft card. Keep the story flowing!
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My mom lived basically around the corner from him, but they weren’t dating until after the war. I know my grandmother, a strong woman in her own right, was as lost without Dad as were other mothers.
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Glad to learn more about Smitty, G. He was born at about the same time as my mother. Speaking of our entry into WWII, I wonder what the world might look like had we not? Any ideas? I looked up Jamaica Bay so I could get a better grasp on your roots. 🙂 I always think Florida when I think of you. –Curt
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Well, I have been here in FL for over 50 years, so that is logical, but for some reason Broad Channel and East Meadow are still ‘Home’ to me.
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50 years qualifies, G. 🙂 But I think most people regard where they grew up as their home towns. I still think of Diamond that way. –Curt
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Home is where the ❤ is.
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This is a great story, and it is great to read about it. Nice honor to your father.
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To me, he helps to represent a generation we will never be able to duplicate. It was unique in so many ways.
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Oh it was.
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I got this response from Teagan when I asked her if she might give us a bit part in the Delta Pearl Serial
OMG! I would be honored. Tell GP that you both night be clockworks. Any preface as to what? If you are in contact with him, please ask for me.
So what type of Clockwork would you like to be? I think I would like to be a bookworm or a butterfly.
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Oh, I have got to think about this. I gave her Sir Reggie and Cal, but one for me …..I’ll get back to you.
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Maybe a clockwork dog and I’ll be a clockwork cat? I didn’t know you gave her Cal. Interesting.
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Believe it or not, I saw Cal in a dream. I’ve been leaning toward a snow leopard for me. Ya think?
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I think that would much more dramatic and original than a dog. Do you want to email her or would you like me to do that?
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When you decide, let her know. Hopefully the end won’t be too soon coming though.
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Amen to that.
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My response to Teagan
You sure surprised the two of us with your rapid response. I’ve asked GP what he wanted in the comments section of his most recent post on his Dad (if you want to see the correspondence). He would like to be a snow leopard and I would like to be a library dog or cat. Now work your magic. Since you are so busy and the story is very advanced, a sentence about either of us would probably check the box. Neither of us wants the voyage to end and I am now also caught up in the Journeys (mostly because of the Society.)
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Thanks for handling it all. Just think, we’ll be forever immortalized as clockwork animations!!
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My pleasure. I know we are both huge fans.
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👍
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Hi GP and Pat. This request really does mean a lot to me. How could I refuse you two? I’ve read your exchange of comments.
GP, I can already see what I will do with a leopard. (I’ll use just “leopard” because he can have the gemstone leopard jasper. I love that stone.)
Pat, I might go with the dog (with apatite eyes… a*pat*atite), but I like the bookwork idea. I won’t know until I start writing it. I have an 8AM video appointment, so got to run. Hugs on the wing.
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Leopard jasper – now that is unique. Thanks!!
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Count me in. I know you will do us proud. Huge thanks from some appreciative fans.
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Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
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Thank you, John.
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You are welcome.
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My father was a few months older, born Feb. 1915. At an old farmhouse we rented from 1958-63, us nosy kids found a Wendell Willkie for President 1940, campaign button. Like so many things from childhood, don’t know what happened to it.
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There are so many things missing from mine – where do these treasures disappear to? I think it’s the same Black Hole that steals socks out of the drier!
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It’s great to meet your dad! I look forward to getting to know him better.
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I’ll lay odds he has many similarities to your own father, Liz.
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I’m betting the same!
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Greetings…that sticks in my mind as well…the fotos are also captivating to me GP…I also know little of WWI…thanks for your teachings ~ smiles hedy 🤓☺️
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I always appreciate your visits, Hedy!!
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My father was a little older than yours. I agree, it is wonderful you still have that draft card, GP!
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❤❤👍
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Good biography and great humor.
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With mentioning Smitty having boot camp, I HAD to have some boot camp humor to include!! Glad you liked it!
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Yeah, you did. In fact, I counted on it!
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👍😊
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Great post, GP. Good to read the story of Smitty.
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Thank you, John.
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You have a real treasure of old photographs of your dad you shared with us today. Your love for him shows through all the posts you have published since I began to follow your blog, GP.
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I’m glad to hear it is obvious how I feel, Peter. There was nothing I could NOT go to him with.
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Had to look up the Executive Order and totally agree on the illegality of the order. Ironically they never felt the need to do the same to the Italian or German emigrants.
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They did intern the Germans and Italians, but not to the extent of the Japanese and not for as long.
A post I did that mentions them. There are others, but I don’t wish to bore you on the subject.
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Great post. I learn so much from reading your blog. Thanks.
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Loved the intro to Smitty. Was interested to read about his wife, Anna. I guess I didn’t realize that he was already married at this time. Was she your grandmother or will that be revealed in a future blog post? Keep up the good work. This may become as addicting as Teagan’s serials.
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Dad’s first wife was Catherine. Anna was his mother, my grandmother.
I don’t think my writing is comparable to that of Teagan. I’m onboard the Delta Pearl and I don’t think I’m going to get off, even when she does finish it!
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Sorry I got confused. The Delta Pearl is a voyage I will hate to see end.
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Can you just imagine all the trouble we could get into on that boat? That’s a story that could continue indefinitely!!
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We might be requested to disembark at the next opportunity. We wouldn’t be the fist passengers to do so. Wonder if Teagan could make us an incidental plot inclusion.
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Doesn’t hurt to ask.
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I’m going to ask her.
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I just sent this email to Teagan.
Teagan,
I would include GP in this email but he only responds to comments in his blog. We are both devoted fans of the Delta Pearl and neither of us wants this trip to ever end.
Would be possible to include us as some type of minor character before the end of the Pearl?
You would make us both extremely happy if this were a possibility–no matter how small the role or incident.
Hopeful hugs trying to find a way to bribe and/or entice.
GP and Pat
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I can’t believe you did it!! You are a character, Pat! Though, I am thrilled you did! What do you think our chances are?
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I know she likes us and I figured at worst she’d say, thanks for asking and the story is already too developed.
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I knew she’d be nice about turning us down. I didn’t think she’d agree so quickly!!
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For those of us who discovered your blog late, viz., me, and missed the beginning of your chronicle of the war in the Pacific, this re-introduction to your father is most helpful. Now I can really start getting to know him, like reading a great story from the beginning. On an historical note, I am reminded that the revered FDR was like all other politicians — not to be believed. Looking forward to the next installment.
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Exactly, though for some, FDR is still thought to be God’s gift to the USA. (Some people just drink the Kool-aid)
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FDR — oh, yes, the man who ordered the U.S. concentration camps for Japanese Americans, German and Italian too — a hideous legacy yet seldom if ever referred to, swept under the rug as the saying goes. I bet the people who religiously visit the FDR Museum in Hyde Park, NY, not too far from where I live don’t even know about it.
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There’s a FDR Scandal page online that would knock their socks off!!
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I just read about FDR scandals, I didn’t know half this — talk about hoodwink the public. And now current voters have made a similar, blind mistake by electing a senile hack who doesn’t know the meaning of the word truth At least there are 74 million or so voters still out there who can tell reality from bullsh.
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As much as I dislike using the word ‘never’, you now see why I never trust politicians!! But people tend to want to believe the myths, FDR< JFK and MLK. They prefer to make idols out of them.
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I’m with you on that, but if I even make mention of my way of political thinking to the few members remaining in my extended family they talk of disowning me, so I try to keep my own counsel, except on my blog, which they don’t read anyway. Rightist politics can be a lonely place.
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I try to stay away from politics, but I can’t help it sometimes. I might know of a few blogs you can talk to as well.
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Sure. If and when you have the time email the links to the address on my Contact widget in the Menu.
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Will do.
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Looking forward to following Smitty’s progress. Interesting how FDR was regarded…so off to research!
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You’ll be hearing more about FDR and not just my father’s quotes.
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Great!
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How wonderful that you still have the draft card. Thanks for the backstory, GP!
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You know – it is MY pleasure!
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FDR’s criminal behavior???
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There are many sites online that describe his scandals, but the first one that always comes to mind is his Executive Order 9066. Totally illegal.
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“Online” and correct and truthful do not go together. “Illegal” and Executive Order 9066 do not go together, either — though, in retrospect (always 100%), it was ill conceived and wrong.
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Great remembrance, GP! I also love the way one got invited on the draft card “Will you kindly …” 😉 The friendliness on the other side was probably only up to the first roll call. Thank you, and have a beautiful week! Michael
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The joke about the draft cards used to always be, “Greetings…” and everyone knew you received your card!!
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Thank you for the great information, GP!
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👍😊
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👍😊
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It’s good to know a little about Smitty’s early days. I’m glad you started with this, GP.
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Thank you, Dan. I figured i should refresh why I do this blog in the first place.
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❤️
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Yes, we needed a refresher!
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Ken P. Smith – USA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 2/187/11th Airborne Division
Ken never jumped in combat, but he landed on Leyte and Luzon. He humped over the mountain pass from Burauen to Mohonag to Ormoc with Smitty’s 2d Battalion. Ken did a tandem jump on his birthday every year up until his 95th birthday. Ken really looked forward to skydiving every year and he was trying to get someone to take him to the airport on his last birthday at the age of 97!
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Thank you for including a story of your father. This is a loss for the entire world. We will never be able to duplicate that generation!
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Thanks for your blog keeping these memories alive. Ken was not on the internet, so I printed out some of your blogs. He remembered some of the incidents, and he was glad to know that people were documenting what these paratroopers did on Leyte. Your efforts were much appreciated.
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You may wish to look into the books by Gen. E.M. Flanagan. especially, “The Angels: A History of the 11th Airborne Division” and “Rakkasans” about the 187th.
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Great history, GP. Wonderful to still have that draft card.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I agree, I was shocked when I saw it!
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Thank you!!
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Thank you.
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