Memories of My Uncle Bill

I ran to answer the telephone when it rang. It sat on a shelf I could barely reach in the hallway. It was one of those old-fashioned long-neck telephones; the receiver hung to the side of the long neck, the mouthpiece was at the top and the dial was on the base. "Western Union calling," the voice at the end of line said as I lifted the receiver. I handed Grandpa the phone and held my breath as the operator read the wire. The only thing I remember hearing my grandpa say was, "Send the body home." He was in shock. I knew something had happened to my Uncle Bill, my mother's 19 year old brother.

When World War II started, Uncle Bill tried to enlist in the Army, the Navy and the Marines but he was turned down each time because of his eyesight. Not giving up, he enlisted in the Coast Guard and was accepted. You see, by this time, he'd memorized the eye chart.

So off he went Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for his basic training. He was so excited. He had been there a while when he and several of his mates were chosen to go to Green Bay for a few weeks. They were to leave for Green Bay that evening. Before they could leave they were required to go swimming. These young men were all good swimmers. However on that fateful day they ignored one safety rule, "Don't go swimming for an hour after eating."

Immediately following the evening meal they jumped in the cold waters of Lake Michigan Canal. As Uncle Bill started swimming, he was overcome with a cramp and went down. Despite desperate rescue attempts they were unable to find him in time in the murky waters. His body was recovered the next day.

My friend held me as I wept. She stayed with me all day and comforted me. You see, no one else could comfort a little girl because they were all heartbroken. My grandpa put the "Closed" sign on his store; my beloved family was inconsolable.

The memories of that day will be burned into my memory for ever; the way December 7, 1941 and September 11, 2001 will forever be burned into my memory.