Place On November 11 example essay topic

Oral Report chose the easy route of interview my grandpa (Dean Randel) who served in World War II as flight deck operator that signaled the aircrafts and got them ready for flight. He was station in San Diego on the USS Wisconsin which was of course a aircraft carrier. As I grew up he always told me stories of the good times he had with buddies and just living the good life. This is a first for me to sit down one on one with him and hear about what went on.

Before I could even get a word in my grandpa ask me, "Do you know how Veterans Day was brought about?" I was so shock he was into doing this that I just shut my mouth and listened. He continued by saying in 1921, an American soldier -his name 'known but to God '-was buried on a Virginia hillside overlooking the Potomac River and the city of Washington, DC. The burial site of this unknown World War I soldier in Arlington National Cemetery symbolized dignity and pride for all American veterans. Similar ceremonies occurred earlier in England and France, where an 'unknown soldier" was buried in each nation's highest place of honor (I later researched and found out it was in England, Westminster Abbey; in France, the Arc de Triomphe). These memorial gestures all took place on November 11, giving universal recognition to the celebrated ending of World War I hostilities at 11 a. m., November 11, 1918 (the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). The day became known as 'Armistice Day".

Armistice Day officially received its name in America in 1926 through a Congressional resolution. It became a national holiday 12 years later by similar Congressional action. They hoped that this had been realized that World War I was 'the War to end all wars,' November 11 might still be called Armistice Day. But shortly after the holiday was official, we started World War II in Europe and eventually would shatter that dream. Of the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during World War II, more than 400,000 died. I was in ah from what he said that I didn't write much, it like hits you so hard that it gets drilled into your head for good.

I was amazed that he knew so much! Well after the initial shock I moved on with my questions. I used each segment listed as I went through them one by one. Dean Randel was not drafted, actually being on a aircraft carries is normal in my family as we have four who serve in the navy. He enlisted due to the job opportunity and traveling. Ha said he picked the navy because he loved the water and ships.

I doesn't remember much about his first year expect that he was roomed with all the "rookies" and felt like he was at home. The training was the fun part as they all learn new things like the signals and also major parts of the plane or helicopter. Well the only real action he saw was after Pearl Harbor was bombed, his fleet was shipped out to secure the island and await farther orders. Not long after that they were shipped back to main for a concern of attack. He for about ten minutes talked about how the captains would hype them up like they will contribute to the war but like he said all they did was float.

Time after time the high ranking officials would come over the loud speaker and preach propaganda but they went nowhere or did anything. I sensed a lot of tension in the room at that time so I was very uncomfortable and I was ready to end the whole interview. During his service he was always around my grandma who lived in San Diego her whole life. They met at a dance club and dated for over two and a half years till they got married in 1944. He actually did have a good luck charm; it was a picture of him and my grandma sitting on a bench sit on a cliff over looking the bay. It was beautiful and romantic to think that they were still living there life to the fullest while terrible things are happening around them.

My grandpa has always been a stubborn man but now I was able to see his pride to when he said he didn't join the veterans organization since I quoted him saying "Im not a veteran since I did nothing. I don't deserve to be awarded anything since I didn't do what 15 million others did and that was fight in the war". His passion and thought was serious and sincere at the same time. But he did remember his last day, "I was in the main naval office picking up my check and signing all my papers to be able to be a normal citizen.

I than walked out of the double doors to see my beautiful wife waiting for me on the sidewalk on august 12, 1946. It was by far the best feeling; I left like I was free. But after a one or so I missed the guys and the security of being with all these men that were ready to fight to the death". Around this time he started to tear up so I really tried to wrap up the interview.

I asked if he attended reunions and he said which I already knew that he goes to one every year in San Diego as the vets talk to the current men. But the sad part is every year less and less show up from obvious reasons. When I asked do you have anything else you would like to cover? He said "Hell, we aint got that much time to talk about what I have to say!" As we both start to laugh, we get up to stretch out and go outside to a gloomy day.