The One That Got Away

 He was kind of an unusual guy. From his youth, folks noticed he was not the typical inner-city Jersey Boy. He was spontaneous and quirky, but at the same time thoughtful and kind. 

Two days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, on Dec 9, 1941, he joined the marine corps. His country meant something to him – it deserved to be defended. He would have signed up sooner, but he had to convince his mom to sign the papers allowing him to enlist at age 17. 

The war years passed, and during battles in the pacific, he had seen much more than ever really wanted to. 

And now, as the transport shipped was pulled up to the pier - he was really home – the war was over – he survived. And now he had something he had not allowed himself to count on having - he had a future.