SEASON GREETINGS WORLD WAR II POSTCARD U.S.S. SNAPPERPainting by l. R. Lloyd (PASSED BY NAVAL CENSOR psa)

CHRISTMAS BELOW THE SEA

Housed in small quarters
shut off from the outside world.
Deep, deep below the sea,
thoughts of survival keeping watch.
The cook roast a chicken or turkey,
to celebrate this special season.
Fifteen minutes time out to eat
back to the work station

keeping watch deep below
or above the unpredictable seas.
No time to remember Christmas.
A moment of weak emotions
makes a difference of life or death.
Christmas as other holidays are hidden
deep inside each man who choose to serve
 aboard a World War II submarine.
© By Mary Nida Smith

December 7, 2008 is Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor was 67 years ago in 1941. There are about 5,000 members living today that survived that attack. To learn more of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Project click on http://www.pearlharborstories.org/ . Ervin o. Schmidt RM1/C (SS) USN-RET who lives in Washington State was aboard the USS California at that time. Ninety-eight crew members were lost and sixty-one wounded. A motorized launch pulled Mr. Schmidt from the sea. In the confusion he was listed as missing in action. Before his family learned differently, they held a funeral in his honor. Later he joined the USS Submarine Service where he served on the USS Saury and the USS Torsk. He is a member of the USS Submarine Veterans WWII. Mr. Schmidt allowed his story to be in my book, Submarine Stories of World War II. I am most grateful to all the men who shared their stories with me. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day December 7, 2008 Arkansas State Capital 3 p.m. Lite lunch served after the ceremony Please attend with your Legion cap on (USSVI vest/hats). There will be several Pearl Harbor survivors in attendance. Submitted by Frank and Suzan Kaye Commander Kirk Smith, USSVI Twin Lakes Base and I had a wonderful welcome as we spoke at the Baxter Country Library November 26th. I’ll be at Baxter County Library, Mountain Home, AR Sunday, December 7 from 2-4 p.m., during “Authors Day” book sale & signing.