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U.S.S. Menard
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
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September 24, 2006--A group of men and their wives relocated to Wichita all last week for a reunion. A reunion based on their wartime service on a ship.
Sometimes it’s nice to listen to visitors talk about their service, so I did.
Meet Homer Coker of Carrolton, Georgia, Jim Geralis of Temple Hills,
Maryland, Jesse Bailey of Bladewater, Texas and Rudy Rutherford from Fresno, California.
Their thoughts about the service, the bonds that developed, and how it
changed all of them.
“These are people I’ve known now for 68 years.”
“It’s so much closer than just friendship.”
“I can hardly wait another year just to visit each other.”
“It made a better person out of me…It just made me a better person.”
It was this ship, the USS Menard that brought these men together forever.
“When I went aboard the ship in October the first of 1944. We put it in commission in Astoria, Oregon.”
“On the Menard, we had 26 boats”
From all over the US, from every walk of life, men traveled to Wichita in the past week to relive and remember their military service. A time that changed them all forever.
“The war destroyed my plans for my life.” |
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The Menard no longer exists…the ship, a troop carrier, was decommissioned in
1955. It saw service in both World War II and Korea.
(Bell rings)
Now the only thing that is left…is this bell, and the memories.
“Every time I get near it, I want to touch it. That bell, I think is the nucleus that holds the crew together.”
Now, the men and their wives get together to relive their service….this
Auction taking place at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel helps to provide
money to keep this organization afloat.
“You are bidding against yourself ma'am.”
Time is passing for those who served on the Menard. They know every year, fewer will survive. But what does survive are lessons learned and moments lived in the minds of those who served.
“When I came home from service in 1946, no one said thank you. No one said you did a great job. But it didn’t bother me.”
“When we was on the ship we called it a rust bucket. Now we call it the most beautiful thing that ever was. (laugh).”
“Well, tears come in my eyes, because I really love the USA. Most people that do, something happens to their heart, that just makes them think….God Bless the USA.”
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