GEORGE AND IWO JIMA

George, a big guy with shockingly white hair, was the type of man who'd fill up the room the minute he walked in the door. George and Dean, in their early 70's, were newlyweds of a few years when I met them almost 20 years ago. At the hospital where I worked, we made a concerted effort to include senior citizens in our plans for a Senior Health Center and a rehabilitation unit. They were very active in the community and a perfect fit for our advisory committee. George was the more vocal one, but Dean never let him get too far out there and would calmly express her opinion even if it differed from his. It was easy to fall in love with them. They were instrumental in organizing the first Senior Prom in our city. Our hospital hosted it in the conference center, a perfect setting for a Big Band and dancing, eating, and drinking. Our local firefighters volunteered to attend and dance with the many elderly single ladies. It was a memorable event. A few years later, I hosted a similar event for my father's 80th birthday, which many friends and family attended. Those times are such sweet memories.

George and Dean lived nearby, so we frequently socialized. One evening, George casually mentioned that he had served in the Marines during WWII. Although it was apparent that he didn't want to talk about it, he revealed that he had fought in Iwo Jima. Many of his fellow soldiers were killed right before his eyes. His fear for his own life was secondary to winning this battle and the war. The Japanese were hidden in lava caves and tunnels near the shore and throughout the island. It took five weeks to retake the island, but not before 7000 of our men and 21,000 Japanese were killed. 

When I saw George a few days later, he told me about having nightmares, as he had never talked about the war until that night. Iwo Jima survivors reunited once a year, and I was honored to attend them as their "daughter." Brig. General Paul Tibbets was the keynote speaker. He talked about having a clear conscience, even though the Atomic Bomb that he dropped killed thousands of Japanese citizens. Tibbets felt it needed to be done to prevent more casualties on our side. It made him angry when he heard the backlash in the years following the war. There were five hundred people at this event, but few survivors left.

Following the last Iwo Jima reunion, I spent almost a year in South Africa. I had only returned home a few days when Dean frantically called me one morning and asked for my help. George was ill and refused to go to the doctor. I found him in their bedroom, ashen and covered with fever blisters on his face. He refused to go, but I told him I would not leave his room until he agreed. He went, but that was the last time he would see his home. After six weeks of chemo and the progression of the disease, he died. I visited him daily and was with him when he took his last breath. It was tough saying goodbye to such a dear friend.

On this Veterans Day, I am honoring George by telling his story. There are millions of similar stories about our veterans. The mere fact that they agree to serve potentially places them in harm's way, yet they do it because they love their country. We are deeply grateful for their service. 

Rest In Peace, George.