They had been married only a few years when he died at 33, of a cancer we easily cure today – leaving her with two small girls, one two, one four. The day was December 5, 1941. Life is strange. Without warning, she stepped up, learned to drive, became a teacher, and tried to look forward.
Two days later, on December 7, 1941, the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, killing 2400 Americans, launching a war that would kill 450,000 Americans and 85 million worldwide. He did not live to see it.
We live to see some things, other things we do not. Maybe it is just as well. A cheerful soul, he worked to finish Cornell in 1930, landed a job during the mid-market crash, and enjoyed writing columns.
By all reports, he thought himself lucky, married the love of his life, and adored his two girls. Those girls would grow up to become parents – and teachers, like their mother. They adored children, too.
Two years before he died, they were in New York. He likely heard Lou Gehrig’s famous speech on the radio on July 4, 1939. Gehrig, afflicted with ALS, the disease that bears his name, was just 35.
The “Iron Man” had played 2,130 consecutive games. Like his generation, he was tough, stoic. That day, he confessed to a “bad break,” but said: “Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth… have an awful lot to live for.” He died in June 1941, also missing Pearl Harbor.
Decades later, just a few years ago, one of the girls stumbled on a military commission, her father’s. Had he lived, he would have fought in WWII and might not have come home. He had volunteered ahead, been commissioned a reservist, then fallen ill and missed the war. Life is strange.
Pulling the “bottom line” forward, the older of these girls was my mother, and the young widow was my grandmother. Like the grandfather I never knew, I, too, like writing, revered my grandmother.
One day long ago, my grandmother asked me to get a shoebox from her closet. It was wrapped in faded ribbon, filled with letters. She took out one, asked me to read it aloud. I did. She took out another, asked me to read it. I did. Then, she asked I put the box away, never asked for it again.
Life is strange. The letters were from my grandfather to my grandmother, love letters talking about the future they had planned, one that did not come to pass. How many others of that generation had shoeboxes with letters, dreams they put aside – or lost – helping us get ahead.
We often think our world is THE world, our pain, loss, anxiety, opportunity, obligations, and lives are unique, but we are on a continuum, informed by the past, indebted to it, obligated to the future.
The shoulders on which we stand are broad; the WWII generation’s shoulders are very broad. They lived hard, taught us to step up, rarely complained, and loved deeply. We honor them by doing the same. This seems a good time to do that, remember, and step up.
Robert Charles is a former Assistant Secretary of State under Colin Powell, former Reagan and Bush 41 White House staffer, Maine attorney, ten-year naval intelligence officer (USNR), and 25-year businessman. He wrote “Narcotics and Terrorism” (2003), “Eagles and Evergreens” (North Country Press, 2018), and “Cherish America: Stories of Courage, Character, and Kindness” (Tower Publishing, 2024). He is the National Spokesman for AMAC. Today, he is running to be Maine’s next Governor (please visit BobbyforMaine.com to learn more)!
RBC, thank you for your loving family history.
A sweet memory of your family’s history, Mr. Charles. I have read letters from my great uncles from that era and while all six of them were either on the ground, in the air or on the sea their letters were full of love for their mother, my great grandmother and their younger sister waiting at home for their return. Thanks for jogging my memory this morning, have a blessed day.
Thank you for sharing your story. I had 2 uncles that fought in WWII and I loved looking at their photos taken while in uniform, so handsome, so brave. I was born in 1944 so I was too young to be in the group of folks who actually lived through those times. What I do remember is how patriotic this country was the years following the war. Those people and the ones who were born just after the war have such fond memories living in that time of love for our country and brave young people who were responsible, law abiding and respectful of others. America does not have that component of patriotism and love of country now except for about half of the population. It is sad and heart-breaking and if we do not get things turned around soon, I fear our great country will become another Communist hell-hole like China.
What a fine memory to share with us. My Dad was in his 30’s when our country was attacked at pearl harbor. As an auto mechanic, he figured they could use mechanics, and went to sign up for the military. Dad was rejected as 4F because of arthritis throughout his back. They missed a strong, brave, man who definitely would have given his life to save others, and I would not exist.
A very lovely story, but not unique, many families at that time ,of that social standing were in similar circumstances and did only one thing available, stepped up , coped and not in America only. That was before the flower revolution, dope and welfare.
My two older brothers were both in WWII, one an airplane mechanic, the other a regular soldier. Both made it home. My husband served a tour in Viet Nam winding up with a Bronze Star; he passed away from emphysema 19 years ago.
Patriotism was very strong then, and still is among those our age; but not so much the younger generation these days. When life is ‘easier’, we tend to become more loving of self and not others and country. Not good.
So sad that many of today’s youth have no desire to learn of their forebears and discover that all wasn’t perfume and roses! They think that they are the only ones who have problems!
Stories like this show how Americans were to build this wonderful country we live in. we need to get back to these stories to show how hard work pays off and handouts such as welfare, are the roots of a failing country. Look at Russia, China, Venezula, Cuba and now Europe is failing. We need to get rid of liberal politicians who only steal our money thru corruption and try to appease us with trivial handouts.
Maybe we need a Real honest TV show about real true memories of the amazing generation from the 40’s and 50’s. The Real America that the under 35 age folks never knew. What America really was before they got brain washed. At 79 it’s hard to see young people so easily bought off by the government. They get them on welfare, government handout (not benefits), dumb them down. When they depend on government free stuff; the government owns you. God bless America.
I was living a normal life with my family when, at 52, I began experiencing muscle stiffness and twitching. After seeing a neurologist, I was diagnosed with ALS. It was a tough reality, and as the disease progressed, I eventually lost the ability to walk and relied on a wheelchair. A friend recommended Limitless Herb Center (www. Limitlesshealthcenter .com), where I began their ALS/MND protocol. After about three months, I noticed significant improvements, less stiffness, fewer symptoms, and I was able to walk distances again.