Diver Dave, what an excellent experience, sharing your service stories with one from the Greatest Generation..
This gives me the opportunity... can't resist it ... to say that last year, the day after D-Day, I was shopping at Trader Joe's and saw a man come in pushing the shopping cart wearing his WWII hat. SORRY I can't remember the name of the ship, but he was there at Pearl Harbor. I also dropped my inhibition (which I have less and less of) and approached him with a "Thank you."
This launched into his story of how he was there, indeed, and then immediately went to medical school upon discharge. He still practices medicine and must be in his 80s. He was shopping for Christmas gifts for his office staff.
Dearest Dolly......I just keep reading and rereading. Thank you SO MUCH for the graphics and for creating this site! LOVE YOU!!! Bev