A couple of weekends ago my husband, Alan, and I went to San Diego to celebrate our anniversary. I took my camera, but I didn’t take very many pictures. I wanted to focus more on experiencing my time and not just seeing it all through the view-finder. I did, however, take a few shots of scenery while we were there. Here are three shots that I thought were fun. Enjoy!
I know Memorial Day was yesterday. I just didn’t get my act together until today. My dad, Fred Harlan Wheat (1912-1990) served in WWII and the Korean War. I have a really old photo album full of photos from peacetime, circa 1934. He was in the Navy at that time and these photos are from a trip aboard the U.S.S. Astoria.
I wish I could regale you with stories from this time in his life. I cannot. My dad died when I was only 26. I only have faint memories of him telling me “safe” tales (meant for a child) of his time in the service. In my teens and twenties, I did not ask much about that time in his life. Now that I am older, I would love to hear each and every story. I’m sure he had some hilarious tales as well as some gruesome ones. Speaking of gruesome…I guess he did tell me one yucky story…a story he used to tell me when I was little. One time, when he was in the VA hospital, he recalled seeing a man being wheeled by on a gurney. The guy’s arm was unattached and laying at the head of the gurney. I think the guy was laughing (they had either drugged him or he was in shock). I’m not sure why my dad told me that story, but it is one that I remember. Random, but memorable.
I am very proud of the fact that my dad did his part for our country to ensure our freedom. May he rest in peace.
Here are some pics from the U.S.S. Astoria photo album.
The back of this pic says, "Snyder & Fred & _______"
Proof that he landed in Sydney, Australia.
Anchored at bay.
This one says, “F.H. Wheat on the very top.” My dad is at the top of the mast.
My dad is not in this photo. I just think it is a really cool pic. Look at all those clean cut guys!
This last photo is his platoon in New Caledonia in 1943. My dad is in the middle row on the far left.
