SURVIVING THE NIGHT

The night battle at Guadalcanal during WWII was fierce. Imagine fighting a sea battle in total darkness, not only not knowing where the enemy ships were, but also your own?!  Radar wasn't nearly as developed as today. In fact, many ships didn't even have it aboard! You almost didn't turn a searchlight on for fear that the enemy would start lobbing shells at you! But searchlights did come on and shells were lobbed in every direction. Sometimes the enemy hit you and sometimes, you're own ships hit you!

That's the way it was for my father aboard the USS Atlanta. The best weapon they had that night was their youth! As he told it, it was both terrifying and exhilarating at the same time! Before I was even a far-flung thought, my father was there, fighting that battle on that ship. 

Like so many other young men of that time, the Navy was a way to get three square meals, clothes, and a place to sleep. It was a way to escape the poverty of the times. It was also a way, of course, to serve your country.

Throughout the night as the battle raged, the Atlanta absorbed more and more damage. She was barely floating at the battle's end and had to be "scuttled" or purposely sunk to avoid falling into enemy hands.

The order was given to abandon ship! So those men who were able, jumped over the side to face even greater risks which included shark-infested waters, enemy gunfire, enemy sailors in the water, oil-soaked water engulfed in flames, and more.

I remember him telling me that concussion from exploding bombs was so great in the water, it felt like your insides were going to explode! After enduring about a day or so in the water, he and his shipmates were rescued and reassigned. My father was sent to the USS Nassau, a "baby flat-top" aircraft carrier.

From his telling of his experiences as a Navy veteran, I've came to realize how fragile is life. There he was, death all around him. His life (and subsequently mine and my children's) could have been snuffed out at any time. And that scenario was played out in every war before and since. And also just in daily life. It's truly a miracle that I'm sitting here writing this now! So many factors came into play that night that ensured my life. 

Sometimes we lose track of what our parents sacrificed for us, just to get us here! Many times suffering in silence so we wouldn't know their pain. Yes, sometimes they were caught up in events not of their own choosing. But, when challenged, they survived........and so then, did we all!

Thankful is too small a sentiment to express. For me, all I can do is pay it forward. And hope I live up to their example!