"December 7, 1941, a date that will live in infamy..."
My dad was twenty-three years old on this fateful day eighty-four years ago. And his life - like many young men his age at the time - was immediately altered. I don't recall ever having a conversation with him about getting drafted. What would be on your mind if you were newly drafted at twenty-three as the country was entering a World War?
I've never faced a situation even remotely as frightening as this. If I try to imagine how I'd react by first recalling myself at twenty-three, it's difficult not to laugh. I was immature and self-absorbed. Serving my country was not a priority; I would have done almost anything to avoid getting drafted. Hero material? Not then, not now.
My dad was too unassuming to ever have thought himself a hero. If he thought about his situation at all after getting drafted, I can imagine him saying something like "It's just the way things go."
Wow. This is unreal to think about. 23.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous; Thanks for the comment.
DeleteOur parents were part of the "great generation" and as such their mind set was completely different from ours. Just compare your Dad's situation with the Vietnam war in our generation. Having said that, not everyone I know avoided the draft. A few did serve and one unfortunately was killed. Heroes? Probably not so much.....although they are honored to this day.
ReplyDeleteInes; Thanks for the comment. You're right, of course, about the difference in mindset in the country re WWII vs. Vietnam. That said, I'm still obliged to say my father was made of stronger stuff than me.
DeleteI have both friends who served and friends who did not and respect the choices they made. I remember a lot of conversations and soul searching as these decisions were made. My husband chose to serve in the National Guard.
ReplyDeleteCookie; Thanks for the comment. I wish I could say I did a lot of "soul searching" back in the days when my lottery # was close to being called. All I clearly remember was being terrified and knowing I was not military material. Fortunately for me, my Dad never shamed me about my terror or reluctance to despite his willingness to serve without question when he was drafted soon after Pearl Harbor.
DeleteThanks for sharing this, Pat. My Dad served in the Navy in WW II, in the Pacific. He was a radio guy, did not see active combat. But I wish I had asked him what went through his head before he started on that journey.
ReplyDeleteSorry Pat, that was me, Andy Swords.
ReplyDelete