His Untold Story~
My grandfather was a US Marine during World War II. He fought in Tinian, Saipan, Tarawa, The Marianas, and more. He endured two harrowing weeks of malaria, and by the grace of God, survived. Being a woodworker since childhood, my grandfather was recruited while on R&R in Hawaii to assist the construction of a stage for Bob Hope. Eventually, he was sent back to the states because his dental work was not satisfactory.
This is the story that my grandfather told me a few years ago. I wrote a paper on his endeavors of World War II in my high school U.S History class. Some aspects may be foggy in my reverie, so I apologize if there are any inaccuracies with dates and such. Today, his story means much more to me than I ever thought it would, but this is the piece of the story I enjoy retelling the most. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
Kenneth Simons a enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942, during World War II. Although his enlistment was short, it was eventful. During a brief period in the states, the government arranged for him to spend the night in a modest hotel in Chicago, with nothing more than the uniform he was wearing, until his train departed the next morning. Upon arrival to the hotel, the woman at the front desk informed him that they were over booked and politely apologized for any inconveniences this news may have caused. He thanked the woman, and left the hotel in search of a vacant room.
After considerable searching through the bustling streets of Chicago with no promise of hotel vacancy, Kenneth finally approached a nearby Police Officer perched idly on the street corner. He asked the officer is he was aware of any vacant hotels. After a moment of thought, the officer reluctantly shook his head, and shrugged. Overhearing the conversation, a formally dressed gentleman with precise articulation assured Kenneth that he had a spare room in his suite at a nearby hotel. He graciously acquainted himself, explaining he would be pleased to assist a United States Marine. Obliged, Kenneth thanked him and accepted his offer.
Later that night, Kenneth and the gentleman conversed over a few drinks in the luxurious suites lounge. Having no cash to repay the gentleman for his hospitality, Kenneth gave him some of the foreign money he collected, as a relic, from the ruins of a bombed international exchange in Japan during the war. Soon, the men turned in for the evening, and the generous host provided sleepwear for Kenneth.
The next morning, Kenneth awoke to find the gentleman had arranged for his uniform to be neatly pressed and breakfast to be sent to his room. After dressing, he heard voices in the dining area, and found a small aggregation of conservatively dressed people discussing business-like issues over coffee. Kenneth politely asked where the gentleman that had benevolently offered his hospitality had gone. They responded by smiling, and telling him the man had left early for work. Before leaving, Kenneth inquisitively turned and asked, "What exactly does he do?" The people laughed and a woman replied, "You dont know who he is?" Kenneth, slightly embarrassed, shook his head. She chuckled and proudly responded, "Well, he is the Vice President of Budweiser Brewing Companies."
My grandfather was a US Marine during World War II. He fought in Tinian, Saipan, Tarawa, The Marianas, and more. He endured two harrowing weeks of malaria, and by the grace of God, survived. Being a woodworker since childhood, my grandfather was recruited while on R&R in Hawaii to assist the construction of a stage for Bob Hope. Eventually, he was sent back to the states because his dental work was not satisfactory.
This is the story that my grandfather told me a few years ago. I wrote a paper on his endeavors of World War II in my high school U.S History class. Some aspects may be foggy in my reverie, so I apologize if there are any inaccuracies with dates and such. Today, his story means much more to me than I ever thought it would, but this is the piece of the story I enjoy retelling the most. I hope you find it as interesting as I did.
Kenneth Simons a enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942, during World War II. Although his enlistment was short, it was eventful. During a brief period in the states, the government arranged for him to spend the night in a modest hotel in Chicago, with nothing more than the uniform he was wearing, until his train departed the next morning. Upon arrival to the hotel, the woman at the front desk informed him that they were over booked and politely apologized for any inconveniences this news may have caused. He thanked the woman, and left the hotel in search of a vacant room.
After considerable searching through the bustling streets of Chicago with no promise of hotel vacancy, Kenneth finally approached a nearby Police Officer perched idly on the street corner. He asked the officer is he was aware of any vacant hotels. After a moment of thought, the officer reluctantly shook his head, and shrugged. Overhearing the conversation, a formally dressed gentleman with precise articulation assured Kenneth that he had a spare room in his suite at a nearby hotel. He graciously acquainted himself, explaining he would be pleased to assist a United States Marine. Obliged, Kenneth thanked him and accepted his offer.
Later that night, Kenneth and the gentleman conversed over a few drinks in the luxurious suites lounge. Having no cash to repay the gentleman for his hospitality, Kenneth gave him some of the foreign money he collected, as a relic, from the ruins of a bombed international exchange in Japan during the war. Soon, the men turned in for the evening, and the generous host provided sleepwear for Kenneth.
The next morning, Kenneth awoke to find the gentleman had arranged for his uniform to be neatly pressed and breakfast to be sent to his room. After dressing, he heard voices in the dining area, and found a small aggregation of conservatively dressed people discussing business-like issues over coffee. Kenneth politely asked where the gentleman that had benevolently offered his hospitality had gone. They responded by smiling, and telling him the man had left early for work. Before leaving, Kenneth inquisitively turned and asked, "What exactly does he do?" The people laughed and a woman replied, "You dont know who he is?" Kenneth, slightly embarrassed, shook his head. She chuckled and proudly responded, "Well, he is the Vice President of Budweiser Brewing Companies."
posted by Kaiya Simons | 5:39 PM
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