[VOYAGER]

I was fifteen years old and in school assembly when we listened very respectfully to President Roosevelt very forcefully ask the Congress of the United States to declare "that a state of war has existed between the United States of America and the Empire of Japan" from that moment Dec.7th 1941!

I waited until I was seventeen got my Daddy to sign a release so I could join the Navy on Sept.7th 1943.Boarded a train(my first train ride)wound up in San Diego Cal. U.S.N.T.S.

I was born Aug.21,1926 and since no extra gasoline was available had to wait for the Navy recruiter to come to our little town to offer me opportunity to sign up.

I did try to join when I turned sixteen by writing a letter to the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox(as an English class project)but was courteously rejected after his letter thanked me for my patriotism.

That made me feel real good!

[texianyankee]

Enjoyed reading your personal story. Thanks for sharing it and thanks for your service.