Memorial Day 2025

I typically put up some kind of Memorial Day montage to honor the fallen, but this year I thought I might do something different.

Growing up in the late 70’s, early 80’s, I remember watching the movie Jaws on more than one occasion.

One time I remember watching it over at my Grandparents.

Now my paternal Grandfather served in the USMC in WW2 in the Pacific. He fought on Tinian, Saipan, Guam and Okinawa and was 4 times decorated. My Father served in the USMC in Vietnam and did 3 tours and is 3 times decorated.

Anyways, this particular evening me (I was around 8 years old) and my Grandpa aka “Pappy” were watching Jaws and this scene came up. I will never forget after the scene was over Pappy told me that everything Quint had said in that story about the U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35) was absolutely true.

Looking back 40+ years later, I can tell you now that this encounter had a VERY PROFOUND impact on me and planted a seed that made me want to be a Marine like my Pappy and Dad. Without them and their influence, I would not be the man I am today, nowhere close.

My Pappy passed away December 8, 1995  and my Dad January 8, 2024.

I think about them both all the time.

Semper Fi Pappy and Dad!

 

 

 

Survivor of U.S.S. Indianapolis, Edgar Harrell