Another of the Greatest Generation leaving us

[ETriggs]

As some of you have seen in some of my past posts, I have referenced my grandfather and namesake. It is inevitable that he will pass tonight after a long problem with his heart after a heart attack 14 years ago. I just ask that if you pray, pray that he has a safe trip to meet his wife and fellow shipmates that have passed already. If you don't pray, then just keep him in your thoughts and know that we are losing the best man I have ever known. I share the same name as him, but could never in a million years fill his shoes. When my time comes, if I have been half as good of a man as he has been, I will feel successful.

Chief Petty Officer, UNSR 1942-1946. WIA 21 February 1945, USS Saratoga, Iwo Jima.

[chevman57]

Eldon we`ll keep you and your family in our prayers here.
Terry

[mr 265]

Will Do ------

[trifive]

Chief Petty Officer, UNSR 1942-1946. WIA 21 February 1945, USS Saratoga, Iwo Jima.

Eldon, Julie and I will be praying for your grandfathers safe passage into a better life, and I am sure that all the real hero’s that have past before him will welcome their fellow shipmate.

I find today that people seem to use the word Hero for everything, but I have only ever used the word to describe someone who proved to be a real hero in battle, to me that is the only way to earn the word Hero.

So tonight a fallen Hero will pass on to greater glory, and a deserved rest in heaven, Tonight he will be in the Loving arms of God.


http://www.11thcavnam.com/KIAs/kia%20info%20pg/flag_halfmast.gifhttp://www.11thcavnam.com/nyc/doved1.gif

Your friend

otis

[Hafrod]

Hang tough Eldon. We're here for ya!

[trifive]

Iwo Jima — "On 21 February, Saratoga was detached with an escort of three destroyers [USS McGowan (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/678.htm) (DD-678), USS McNair (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/679.htm) (DD-679) and USS Melvin (http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/680.htm) (DD-680)] to join the amphibious forces and carry out night patrols over Iwo Jima and night heckler missions over nearby Chi-chi Jima. However, as she approached her operating area at 1700 on the 21st, an air attack developed, and taking advantage of low cloud cover and Saratoga's insufficient escort, six Japanese planes scored five hits on the carrier in three minutes. Saratoga's flight deck forward was wrecked, her starboard side was holed twice and large fires were started in her hangar deck, while she lost 123 of her crew dead or missing. Another attack at 1900 scored an additional bomb hit. By 2015, the fires were under control and the carrier was able to recover aircraft, but she was ordered to Eniwetok and then to the west coast for repairs, and arrived at Bremerton on 16 March". (DANFS, Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, Vol. 6, page 341).



http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/saratoga/05a.jpg

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/saratoga/04a.jpg

http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/saratoga/06a.jpg

[belairrudy]

Will be praying for you, your family and your Grandfather Eldon. If there is one thing I learned.. its not to try and fill my Dads shoes after he passed. Just to fill the shoes he left me to walk in the best I can.

[rwhit57]

I would have cherished the honor to shake your Grandpa's hand and look him in the eye and say " Thank you, Sir "

[56Mark]

Eldon,
I will be praying for you. I know how you feel. I lost my grandfather about four years ago that I felt exactly the same way about. He had fought in Japan, overcome alcoholism before I was even born, became a Baptist preacher, was a true gentleman, and was probably the best man I have ever known. He helped me and taught me how to rebuild a small block chevy when I was a teenager, 30 some years ago. I think of him often. There just doesn't seem to be many of those kind of guys around anymore. I know what you are going through and it's tough! Hang in there.

I guess it is up to us to try our best to be the kind of men they taught us to be and would be proud of.

I know you will miss him. God bless you.

[madtony56]

Eldon, I lost my Dad earlier this year. He was also a WW2 Navy
Veteran. They are gone but not forgotten. Their service is
the reason we are free today. God Bless your Grand Dad and
all the vets who serve and have served.
God Bless the USA.

[NickP]

Eldon my prayers are for you and your family tonight. I pray that the Peace of the Lord decends upon your Grandfather and he is lifted up to Heaven. May the Peace of the Lord be with you and yours.

[johnnybil57]

Eldon I will keep you and he in my prayers also. I once heard from my dad that the acorn does not fall far from the tree and it sounds like he was a Mighty Oak in your family. It also sounds like he has instilled some of those special "Big Shoes" of his goodness already, God speed to you and your's.

[Tuned55]

Sorry to hear about your grandfather Eldon. What an awesome tribute in his behalf you have posted for us all. Think of the woonderful reunion he is about to enter into. Our prayer are with you and your family Eldon. May God Bless you all in this time of need.

[cecil13]

Eldon, I will keep your Grandfather in my prayers and pray that God's Will be done.

[Lloyd's 55]

Eldon, so sorry to hear about your grandfather. Lost Mother and Mother-in-Law last year. Prayers are with you and yours. Lloyd and Pat.

[ETriggs]

Thanks everyone, he is at peace now.

The photo of the Sara on fire where you can see the 40mm gun mount just to the left of the burning aircraft on the front of the flight deck is where he was. 13 of 16 were killed instantly when the Zero with bomb hit the forward flight deck.

Here is a link to the damage at his gun station (first 2 photos, graphic images). http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/saratoga/saratoga3.htm

He can now visit his buddies that he hasn't seen in 65 years and his wife he has missed terribly for 18 years.

Thanks again all, I am sure he appreciates it just as much as I do.

[NickP]

Rest in Peace Sir, Rest in Peace.

[wraplock]

Eldon

Truly sorry for your loss and the passing of this great man, a true hero. Not many of these guys left. Lets all treasure the ones we still have!

Don

[SIDKELLY1]

Eldon, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family-he is at peace now. My late Father was on the USS Bataan CVL29, a sister ship of the Saratoga--fought in some of the same battles- and he left us in 1978 at the age of 50. Thank God that you had your Grandfather as long as you did!!

I lost my Grandmother (his mother) in 1987, at the age of 83 (I was 37) and I miss her every day--everything GOOD that I am, I owe to her (I take responsibility for all the bad things I've done in my life) and I know first hand what this loss is--God Bless YOu!!

[ETriggs]

By the way, my avatar photo shows him sitting in my 57 Chevy with me standing next to him. Only new car he ever bought was a 57 Chevy. Never bought another new one, just used cars.

[carls 56]

so sorry for your loss eldon. my heart goes out to you and your family.

[Gary Blake]

They were truly the greatest, AMAZING :)

[ETriggs]

Thanks all, here is a link to his obituary.

http://www.wyomingnews.com/articles/2010/10/15/obituaries/12obit_10-15-10.txt

On the 15th, I got word that my wife's grandmother passed away. Just got home from her funeral. That makes 2 in 48 hours. I pray that no more are needed for a VERY long time. Here is hers:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nwfdailynews/obituary.aspx?n=joyce-davis-nolin&pid=146010760

[axel breaker earl]

I'm sorry for your losses Eldon.... It appears you got the double whammy also.....back on Jan. 5th 2001 I lost my Father and my Wife's Grandmother on that same day.....I know what your going through. Celebrate their lives and the times you spent with them, and I hope you have better days ahead.
BTW, my Father was born in Phenix City, AL way back in Dec. 1920!
Take care Eldon.

[alexy]

Eldon,
Thanks for your and others recent prayers for my mom, she seems to be alright now
My grand dad, (moms dad), he was in WWII and he was a doctor there, for some time, I never met him, and that's tough, When I was born, he was living 1000 miles from us, We're cuban and he fought for the free world, to be free, making good money, and taking good care of his kids.
After the revolution in cuba, and an inhumane bearded guy came to power, he wasn't allowed a retirement, and he was so poor that my mom sent money to him every month without anyone, even him know about it, We were going to visit him and he died the week before we were there, my mom went there (rush trip) and said goodbye. I was 8 yrs old, He'd be 108 this year. he was 78 at the time.

But I didn't get tired of hearing the stories of him, and, even though I only have one picture of him, I remember him as If he had taught me so much and I feel like I know him.

So, feel confident that your lost was not in vane, because many years ago, he left a mark in all of us, and help saving the world, even left a mark in the ones that weren born at that time.

Good luck and cherish every minute you spent with him, and I'm sure you learnt so much that you will know, when you're not expecting it and remember him for some reason, and think: I learn that from him,

Good luck, and know, my prayers are with him.

Be happy, Alex

[Original Pete]

Eldon, our thoughts and prayers will be for you and your family. The generation of your grandfathers were all about gettin things done, and boy di they get it done. My Grandfather was a huge inspiration to me as well and I know what you mean about bieng only half the man he was it would completely satisfy you. I feel the same about my Grandfather. My Grandfather was a despatch rider for the Australian Army during WW2. He died on the day of his 80th birthday in 1995. He never got to see my 57. But he new I always wanted one and he encouraged me not to give that dream up.

[ETriggs]

Just an ironic and interesting side note. My father had driven my grandfather around to get ice cream and get out of the house for a while. The last place they stopped was at the park where they stumbled upon a freshly restored 57 Chevy. My father spoke to the owner, asking if he could get a picture. The owner was happy to oblige and mentioned that he had 3 miles on the car since restoration. It is ironic since he 57 Chevy my grandfather bought new had only 3 miles on it when bought.

My father took the picture of the car with my grandfather sitting in his car behind the 57. It is the last picture taken of my grandfather alive as he passed away less than 30 minutes later. I will upload the photo tomorrow as I need to get it off of my phone to upload.

There is a link to 57 Chevy's I just can't shake.

[dnsdoor]

sorry for your loss

[ca1955belair]

So does that mean you won't be getting rid of yours anytime soon ?

[ETriggs]

So does that mean you won't be getting rid of yours anytime soon ?

Apparently so. My father reminded me of how excited my grandfather was about that project. Not sure I have the heart to walk away from it.

[hddude]

after reading every post here, this forum, you guys are fenominal. Eldon,God Bless.:tu

[ETriggs]

Thanks hddude.

Here is the promised photo. This photo was taken no more than 30 minutes before he had his final heart attack and passed away. He is sitting in the Kia in the passenger seat just behind the 57. This is at Frontier Park in Cheyenne, Wyo. If any of our Cheyenne friends know who owns this car, please let me know.

Thanks!

http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i77/ETriggs/Family/1011001458.jpg