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The picture you see below is one of the USS Palmer, en escort destoyer. It is at rest at the bottom of the Lingayen Gulf, sent there on January 7, 1945 by a twin engine Japanese "Betty" bomber who took the bow off the ship.
My Dad was on board.
In a story he only shared late in his life, Dad told me he was on that very bow talking with a group of guys when the attack broke out. He said he felt a sudden and inexplicable urge to move to the ship's stern- and he did.
Moments later the bomber came in and killed every single sailor he had been with just a few minutes earlier. and the Palmer sank very quickly.
Dad was haunted by that- at times feeling guilty because he got lucky and his buddies did not. I am certain there are Veteran's from all wars who have similar stories and questions like my Dadi- "why did I make it and my friend didn't?".
Today should be one of our most sacred Holidays, as we keep this thought in mind-
"All gave some, some gave all".
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