A Thanksgiving story.

 By D.C.

 I called my mother and step father to wish them a Happy Thanksgiving today. I consider my step dad to be my father. He is a WWII veteran and he told me this story about Thanksgiving.

 Sixty eight years ago today,1943,the USS Rich,a destroyer escort,tied up in Charlestown Navy Yard,Boston Massachusetts.We were returning from a training mission to Bermuda and glad to be in port for Thanksgiving.

 215 men,12 of which were officers,sat down in the chow hall of the ship to have a Thanksgiving dinner together as a crew.

 An old salt by our standards,an enlisted man of about 35,told us,"You dam boys better enjoy this Thanksgiving meal,it may be your last."

 At 17 years of age,that really struck me.

 Six European convoys later,on D-Day,after laying smoke screens on both Omaha and Utah beaches,our home,the USS Rich struck a mine.

 Of those 215 men who enjoyed their last Thanksgiving together. 68 were missing and never found. 92 were confirmed dead. One of those men was the old salt.

 I am very thankful to be here today.