Published Tuesday, April 22, 2008 6:12 PM
Updated Tuesday, April 22, 2008 6:14 PM

 

Home schoolers meet with veterans

Saturday night when most kids were hanging out with friends, a group of home-schooled students and members of the Old Fort Baptist Church in Summerville were bridging the gap between what they called the “Youngest Generation” and “The Greatest Generation.”

Seven veterans from WWII and the Korean Conflict came together not for praise and a pat on the back, but to let our generations know of the sacrifices that were made for freedom so long ago.

These kids weren’t interested in facts from a textbook. They wanted real life accounts. And boy did they get them.

When asked about the time they were the most afraid, John W. Lawhon, of the U.S. Navy, answered immediately, “December 7, 1941.” Lawhon had just finished breakfast aboard the USS Phelps when he saw the first Japanese planes fly into Pearl Harbor.

“I saw the beginning and I saw the end.” He explained to the group that it was the noise that made it so much worse. “All of the explosions and the metal of the ships being hit made it so loud. You couldn’t hear any orders or commands being shouted out.”

Jerry Sweatman, Jr. who retired as a Chief Master Sergeant from the Air Force in 1974 spoke about fear.

“You find out a lot about yourself and others in a fox hole. You learn who you can trust…who has your back. Everyone handles fear differently. Some cry, some shake.”  He went on to say that it was his faith that pulled him through during the events in Berlin, Korea and Vietnam.

Among many of the questions asked, only one brought out the same answer from all of the Veterans.

When one student, a young boy asked what the most decisive action taken during their careers was, they all agreed that it was the dropping of the atomic bomb on Japan.  

Vic Acheson of the U.S. Navy explained that although their immediate reactions were “Great.  It’s over. We won.” it wasn’t long until the reality of it all hit them; the innocent lives that died so that our American soldiers could live. Reid Cayce, also Navy, went further to say that “The Japanese were never going to stop. They were prepared to fight to the end, no matter what.”

Another sailor, Russ Timm and Sweatman both agreed that everyone had mixed feelings. They felt relief. They were alive thanks to President Truman’s decision. A decision they’re not sure any other President would have made.

It wasn’t all serious talk among the Veterans, though. As they reminisced about how each began his military career.

“I started out in line for the Army and somehow ended up in the Air Force.” Sweatman joked. While Roy Dawson, also of the U.S. Air force, said he was sad to leave for training camp.

“I was leaving behind the sweetest and prettiest girl.” That girl is the woman he is still married to today.

By the end of the evening, it was clear that the veterans were uncomfortable with all of the attention and standing ovations.

“We don’t want a pat on the back. We just want you to know the price that was paid for our freedom today. There will always be a price. There will always be a fight. Freedom doesn’t come freely. And someday, like us, you might be called on to preserve that freedom,”

said Harold Wade, who had served with U.S. Air Force.