The Omaha guide., 1945-05-19
Hot, tired, and some
what a little frightened, |
like the MANY who were

in the same shipment, stepped pre-
cariously, n by one, on the ship
We could not see much of the
ship while boarding, yet l knew for
the first time in my life, the power
and greatness of such a mass of
steel. We were instructed to take
our places, which meant. staying in
our hunks until we left port. That
we did most eagerly. With no
thought of danger, come what may.
we only wanted to lake off our
packs, and rest. 1 regretted at thai
moment, and many times after all
the unnecessary articles and nick
nacks which I so cautiously slipped
in my bag. Every man had to car
ry all of his own equipment. and be-
lieve me the American Army gives
you plenty.
Some of the Observation-Disclosures
told me that we would not leave
port until after darkness. What a
story that turned out to be. A few
hours after we were on board. the
ship slowly moved out of the har-
Dor. This ship did not wait for
darkness. 1t was at thai moment
l fully realized how great a Country
1 was fortunate enough to live in.
Had l not so many times read a.
bout the sinking of our ships; had
l not read daily, the great destruc-
ton caused by the German submar-
inc. l knew that America did not
unnecessarily risk the lives of her
soldiers. I ceased being afraid.
Looking back at the shores for a
long. last look, l felt a little sad
yet ] was proud of the fact hat l
was. one Of the millions Of soldiers
who was deemed fit enough to help
defend the freedom of America,
and tn freedom of the oppressed
nations which were then enslaved
by a group of killers. L thought
of the wives and children that liv-
ed in Poland, France. China, Aus
tria, Belgium, Ethiopia. and all the
countries which at l4at time were
under the power of the Axis. |
could only thank God hat the en-
envy was not pouring their shells
into the outskirts of Omaha. We
can say now that it can't happen,
but had not our great leaders had
the foresight to see what was to
come. we cannot say what could
have happened and what could not
have happened, because we do NOT
know. We must thank God that it
did not happen.
Unless one has had the opportun-
ity to sail on a large body of water,
they will find it so hard to visualize
how immense and powerful a large
body of water can be. AS far as
you al see to the right, there is
water; as far as you car see to the
left, there is water; All you al see
is water. White foamy water: deep
..--dreary---and cold water. When
thought of Columbus sailing to
the Americas in a hundred and fiji
ty foot vessel. / know now why the
sailors on his ship wanted to turn
back towards home.
We were served two meals a day,
which was plenty, and some Of the
DeSl nlGdlS L nave ever ldSltu were
given to US on thai ship. 1t was
one time in my life l didn't make a
pig of myself. Not because | didn't I
want too. but because | was sea-
sick most Of the way over. That
rolling. rumbling water kept me
sick In the final stages of our
trip across, the wind was nigh, and
the sea was rough. Waves OF
salty. cold water dashed over the
deck. 1 was so sick 1 just layed
in my bunk and prayed Strange
how a great many men turn to God
when the going gets a little rough
Time and many miles somehow
drifted by. Music, a show. bingo
games given by the Red Cross. read
ing, and a hand of cards once-in-a-
while. helped to pass the days away
All the way 1 felt restless. tired and
sick AS for the sailors, they look
ed to be in the best of health. Il
guess one must get used to it, but
that is the trouble---getting used
to it's
I thought of every good and bad
thing l have yer done in my life.
One thinks of ones family n low
ed ones he has left behind You
feel kuilty because there is no way
you can let them know you are
safe. You feel sorry for them. but
what can you do? 1t is much hard
er on the one you left behind than
it is on the one who is making the
trip America, and its great Navy
has made the Crossing one of al
most certain safety now, but not
without the cost of those brave
mems lives which made the safety
Of today possible. l can only say,
thanks fellows, and l only hope
that 1 too can do something worth
while.
One bright morning. early after