Happy Memorial Day

Carl Gustav Nordstrom and his sister Karin, August 1942

Carl Gustav Nordstrom,my grandmother's younger brother, served as a Seabee during the Second World War. Like many veterans, Uncle Carl did not talk much about the war. Luckily, the reminiscences of another Seabee, Roger Casseday, were published earlier this month by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. A video interview and the published article are here. Reading about another Seabee's experiences in the war provided insight to my Uncle's.

One story I do remember Uncle Carl telling me is that everyone aboard ship wanted to be the first in line at breakfast. Apparently, when the milk canisters were opened all the cream had risen to the top and if you were there when that happened, then "score." Okay, I don't think "score" was his exact word, but I gathered that cream made breakfast better.

Thank you Uncle Carl. I hope you are served plenty of cream with breakfast in heaven!