Don Graves - World War II Marine Survives Iwo Jima with Flamethrower, Grenades, and Pistol | SRS #69

ladies and gentlemen this episode is one. for the history books. we have a World War II Marine Corps. veteran on the show. he served in Iwo Jima as a flamethrower. flamethrowers in hirojima had a. four-minute life expectancy and this man. is the only surviving flamethrower that. served in Iwo Jima. his name is Don Graves. he's 98 years old grew up.

in the Great Depression his experienced. a lot. of America's times. and gives us great perspective of what. it was like growing up back then. in the greatest generation. known to America versus today. which is pretty eye-opening. Don gave me an artifact. many of you know the studio here is full.

of artifacts from all of our guests in. my personal service this. is a sword the Japanese commanders used. to carry. and they would use it to commit suicide. if they were going to be captured by an. enemy combatants. or if they knew they were going to be. killed this will be framed and on. display in the studio. for everyone to see. starting to turn into a museum here at. SRS ladies and gentlemen.

I see a lot of you out there pulling our. content making your own content we made. it super easy for you there's a link. below it's got hundreds of reels take. them monetize them make money off of. them put it on Tick Tock YouTube. Instagram Facebook wherever you want. make money off of it all we ask is that. you give credit to the Sean Ryan Show. and tag us or link or show in the. description head over to Apple and.

Spotify please leave us a review tell us. how we're doing that really helps the. show like comment and subscribe to the. YouTube channel if you haven't already. ladies and gentlemen I just want to say. thank you. for all of the support that you give us. and all the love. we here at SRS love you too without. further Ado please welcome. Don Graves. to the Sean Ryan Show.

and one last thing I want to give a huge. shout out to the air power Foundation. who made this interview possible with. Don Graves without them none of this. would have happened. thank you so much. [Music]. Don Graves welcome to the show thank you. it is. in honor to have a World War II veteran.

sitting in this studio across from me. today thank you so much for being here. thank you for that compliment so yeah. yeah it's a real it is it's a real honor. I want to give you a quick introduction. here so Corporal Don Graves you're a. husband you've been married for 70 you. were married for 72 years. 98 years old you're a father a pastor. Christian singer and you're a. flamethrower at the Battle of Iwo Jima.

World War II. in the United States Marine Corps. couple of facts for the audience. flamethrower was the most dangerous job. in the Marine Corps. life expectancy in battle was four. minutes 92 percent casualty rate during. Iwo Jima Graves you're the only. flamethrower from your unit to survive. and walk off of that Island your unit. began with 335 Marines and only 18.

left the island of Iwo Jima no officers. from your unit survived correct. that's amazing I'm um. just humbled to get your testimony on. what happened that day. but um but first everybody that comes on. gets a gift. I got you a couple gifts. [Applause]. well there you go all right.

that's me. oh oh that's right oh oh some good stuff. in there oh. a couple of covers for you. Vigilant Elite that's right. [Laughter]. oh I love these things what is it. that's all the same no there's another. one oh is there there you go that's the.

good stuff vigilance Elite gummy bears. Hoagy baked. those are big perfect perfect. another cap oh look at that yeah yep. there it is the sun no wonder he wanted. me to look through the bed like this. and another just a couple more gummy. bears oh my goodness that's all right. it's just a little something to remember.

our experience I know who would like to. get one of these bags yeah. I'll give you a couple more. [Laughter]. oh boy this is real nice. okay. that cap I'm going to really use good. black black you know why it's black why. is that. Sans of Iwo Jima black volcanic ash. really all black thank you this is.

really good you're welcome. [Applause]. and I got you one other thing just for. one Warrior to another I got you. well what a coin. thank you that's what I've got for you a. coin. man thank you. oh that's our power Foundation that's a.

nice one I don't have this. that is a naval special Warfare coin. from uh that represents all the SEAL. Teams and I thought you should have it. that's a beautiful one thank you this is. beautiful I'll put this we're about 350. all right thank you. [Laughter]. all right Don so I'd like to get into. the interview but. being 98 years old you have experienced. a lot in life and you have experiences.

that not many people uh have been. through like I know you grew up through. the Great Depression and so I'd like to. start with your childhood. what that was like growing up in their. Great Depression and then move into. World War II Iwo Jima and then they'll. move into what it was like coming home. after War at that time period uh and. we'll get into what you were doing. afterwards when you became a minister. and then maybe we'll talk a little uh.

where the country's headed. and then we'll end it all right sound. good very good all right so where did. you grow up. well I was born in Detroit Michigan 1925. I came up through the end of the big. crash and went into the Great Depression. and President Roosevelt was our. president and thanked the Lord he got in. be when we had that because he settled.

he got us out of it. nobody had anything gas was 10 cents a. gallon for your car. my my mother used to put 50 cents in and. we'd ride around a little bit. I us kids would chip in some money would. have an old car. and we'd chip in dimes nickels whatever. we had we'd pull up in front of a pump. they pump your gas for you they wipe. your windshield and everything you got.

everything for that dime oh wow and we. and we didn't want to say he said how. much gas do you need there young fellas. I said uh put 50 cents in and he'd look. at us yeah that's 50 cents that's five. gallons five gallons of gas we could. last all day on that so you know it was. hard but things were cheap how old were. you when the correct Depression hit the. Great Depression well. I think it ended in 31.

so it would have been I think it ended. around 19 years old so I was born in 25. so I was a just a little talk going. through that you know. I can remember a Christmas. I wanted a trach there were two boys and. two girls. not that early but we told her we're two. boys and two girls I had a brother who. was two year 18 months younger than me. and we had to share an old used trach.

that my mother got out of a trade shop. really he brought it home to us yeah and. we would fight over that bike every time. it was my mother took it away and hit it. on us and that stopped the fighting. but we lived in a cottage my grandma and. grandpa lived on a farm and they were on. commodity we were all on Commodities. welfare or whatever you want to call it. and uh that that kept them going on the.

farm and you know it was hard to sell. because nobody had any money. the money just wasn't there. and so we lived in the cottage all year. round and you know Cottages back then on. a lake were made of panel. wallpaper no insulation in the. wintertime oh and you know it is to get. up to sit down in the zeros you know and. we had a pot belly stove a big one.

and we would get that going with wood we. went on got wood and we put that going. with wood movie when it got hot enough. would put the coal in there we got coal. in there. and then that would burn all day and my. job was to make sure that that fire. didn't go on all night. if it went out I had a price to pay for. my dad what was that. he'd give us a good beating yeah yeah. he didn't mix words with it he was he. was a mean father he was we never had I.

never had a good father a wonderful. mother. my father was a heavy drinker. he I don't know he he never had a trade. but he well he did have a trade he was a. roofer and you know ruthless drink. Masons and a carpet they all drank and I. don't know why whether it was the. material they were using the nails or. whatever it was but they'd always leave. the job and go into a bar and drink and. then not finish the day I would when I.

was a little boy I worked for my dad he. carried shingles up a ladder can you. imagine the cedar was they'd drop over. your shoulder I care about two or three. of them and he would take a pack of. practically a bundle up there well so we. all had to pitch in and work. and uh we lived on fish. we lived on Wild game. rabbits pheasant Quail uh we hunted all. the time all year round and the game.

wasn't never said a thing because he. knew we were on uh were the Depression. was on nobody had any money. it would be able to pay a flight if it. were fined so I mean but those were good. years because we stood together we loved. one another and we fought together we. just kept things going. well the depression lifted and we moved. in in Detroit my dad started getting. some Roofing contracts.

the sad problem is that he just spent. money. and he didn't come to the family. so we still struggled quite a bit you. know the depression boys never had good. clothes. and that's why we never went to church. because we were ashamed to go into a. church oh man and that has a little. bearing on my life when I hit the beach. at Iwo Jima which I'll mention. well. we went to school.

I wasn't a good student I didn't. particularly like school. and you know it's strange I hated math. I could I hated Matthew if you don't do. math you don't do well at all because. you've got to have math. and I just didn't like doing it I had a. tough time so the hell would be back a. grade and then when I got in junior high. school that was a bummer. and when I got in the eighth grade.

I was about 16 years old. and I remember the three of my two. buddies we grew up together in the. neighborhood. and we had an old car that was sat in. front of the house in Detroit. and we break the a radio up with an old. radio we rigged it up and we would. listen to the big bands. and uh what were the big bands oh the. big band numbers oh Tommy Dorsey Jimmy.

Dorsey the brothers of two Irishman. fought all the time. and we had oh Duke Ellington he had a. black band with great music good music. and uh we there were so many then Bing. Crosby the gruner he always was on a. particular radio show we'd listen to him. and my grandma bought move bought his. recordings on an old victrola. what you cranked and as a kid I spent.

time playing Bing Crosby and I go sit. down and Bing would be hitting the. singing he'd like to over the river. there was no power left I had to go and. crank it up again. that's what we had to do to listen to a. recording. oh Kate Smith. the big lady 200 pounds Great American. woman during the war she introduced God. Bless America Irving Berlin wrote it for.

her and she introduced it and it it just. went wild for her today nobody sings it. unless I have the same with me they. don't sing it they don't know it high. school students do not know that song. and it's a great song it's another. patriotic song. so my brother and I we we struggle. through ISO newspapers Saturday evening. post for a nickel I got two cents.

a newspaper was three cents I got a half. a cent. I got a cent for every two papers I sold. I mean that's what we did but you can. buy stuff for what you had you could. always buy something. you've got something for your money you. know. and uh. if we just and when we got to be teens. you know we would go out to the lake and. swim we had a gang of us or get together. an old car we'd go out to the lake my. grandma's Cottage we she'd let us use.

the cottage and we had a beautiful. 90-foot drop off sand beach you know. sand waiting then you dropped down it. was a crystal clear loaded with Pike. loaded with bass loaded with walleye. Pike on perks and crappies oh we lived. on that stuff today I love fish you do I. love fish I do I love Seafood. yeah well anyway uh we were healthy kids.

it's strange isn't it we didn't have a. lot of stuff kids have today but when we. were healthier. we went through a lot we had all the. diseases even before they had all the. shots and it was strange you know we. used to walk home for school and and. we'd notice a black Ford Coupe. well when you saw a black Ford Coupe. that was a nurse. and if it was in front of your house it. was in the wind to give us shots okay oh.

man we didn't want to we want to skip. and get out of there but we know we're. heading to go in there so and we go and. says here they are I said my brother. would come in I had two sisters all of. us roll your sleeve up was I don't want. that shadow on my back we literally in. those days we were afraid of all that. stuff well they gave us shots and then. she left and well it wasn't too bad your. arms were sore but it we went through. all of that we didn't have any.

particular thing to kept to keep the. pain away but we were healthy kids we. didn't see the doctor a lot we did have. trouble with our teeth and my mother. she was a great cook and a great baker. she had a bakery during the Depression I. can remember in Detroit. on the west side. she we needed a place to live so there. was a like a store and in the back there.

was everything you needed it was. everything to live with. but in the front it was sort of like a. you could put a they had a couple of. counters in there she could put a bakery. in and we put a big shade a drape across. that we lived behind that. that's how we lived. and she was so Bakery and sell cakes the. only problem is my dad would tap the. tail. he opened the tail up and take money and.

go up he'd be drinking oh man he just. irresponsible. and us boys we were I was I when I was. 10 years old I will never forget it. my two buddies were coming down the. sidewalk and. they're the one of their dads worked for. the Detroit City Railway he always had a. job always streetcar was buses always. had a job so he always had money in his.

pocket. and he shared we all shared. and so they came by and they said hey. Don you're going to want to go to the. movie with us Saturday. and I said I'm gonna need money he's all. you need is a dime get in I said I have. a dime wait maybe I'll last my mom. things were a little bit better then. I walked in I'll never forget Mark can I. have a dime see what do you want to die. for I want to go see a movie Ken Mater. favorite cowboy is going to be on.

she said you want a dime. I said yes ma'am. go earn it I don't have it. I don't know what we're gonna have for. supper. but we'll have something she always. managed to have something. and you know she said that to me and I. went out and my two buddies says I will. at least give you a nickel let's go. and I never forgot what she says so I. went to work after school I did. everything I could I shoveled snow in.

front of stores and I'd ask them if I. could clean them they'd give me 35 40. cents like that maybe 50 cents 25 and I. always had money in my pocket. and you always have friends when you. have money in your pocket all your. buddies come around. you learn that at a young age oh yeah. so I became quite independent like that. I worked I've worked since I was 10. years old. and I'm paying a little bit for it right.

now but the ministry that was mental. stress you know but the other work I did. it was decorating I climbed ladders hung. wallpaper refinished wood antique. furniture I did it all in the line of. decorating a refurbishing and that was. hard work and now my legs are paying for. it I believe that's what it is really. yeah because I never injured my legs. yeah but they say you'll still pay a.

price I remember coming home from the. world I sat in the front room my dad was. reading the paper and I said you know. Dad I'm really lucky he said why I said. I went through four years of war and I. came home there's not a thing wrong with. me he said give it a little time yet. he was in the first world war he said. when you get older you're gonna find out. you're gonna pay. what did your dad do in the first world. war in the first world he was in the. Marines he was in uh he was in the.

Marine Corps at P.I Paris Island. I was San Diego Hollywood. and they got that swine flu swept in. there and killed a lot of them really. they didn't have it and then to take. part. and he got it and he did have a problem. continuously didn't keep him from. working but it would hit him every now. and then he'll come back on him but a. lot of them died so he couldn't go. aboard a chip they wouldn't put him on a.

ship so they just let them do whatever. they could keep him busy doing you know. well the war ended only the only we only. fought in it for a year it ended. Ali came home and went back to Roofing. and doing that type of work but those. fellas his brother worked with him and. both of them would go out and get drunk. and never work on the job it was. irresponsible their father was no good I. met my grandpa once or twice heavy. drinker it was passed on Down the Line.

you know during the Great Depression. people drank they made their own stuff. because you know it was it was a. prohibition was on. in below the carriage. my brother and I would open up the doors. and we'd crawl on you know you don't. know what's under those houses. that's what they threw over they stuffed. everything under the houses. so we opened the trap doors out and we. crawled in there we had rattlesnakes. here in initially in Detroit outside of.

the city and they're short rattlesnakes. so we have to be very careful. I found these big like like a jack. and it had a cracked hand on you know. what is this thing so I took it out and. I brought it around the house. and my mother was in there he was gone I. said Mom what is where did you get that. I said under the porch you put that back. in there you don't need to know what.

that is. look they cap bottles with it. they made their own booze wine and and. they made liquor because that's what was. going on. what kind of liquor I I have no idea but. I mean. so prohibition my own water or whatever. it ain't like you get over here yeah so. prohibition was going on the prohibition. was going on then Roosevelt got him and. Roosevelt said to his vice president.

I feel like a glass of bear. and boom that opened it up. and believe it or not they didn't drink. as much when the prohibition was lifted. no kidding don't you tell a person you. can't do that he can try and do it yeah. we're all like that we can't there was a. lady of us she was a wealthy woman and. when I was in the ministry she helped. she helped us out a lot I mean she.

practically bought a house from me. I mean she was just such a wonderful. little Bohemian woman she had a lot of. money. and she shared and. you know we'd be painting in the parsies. that painting everything up and she'd. come in and says how are your fellows. doing and I said I don't want to look at. Mary don't touch him because it's wet. and she'd go to the wall oh.

oh. tell him not to do it and they'll do it. [Laughter]. especially children. yeah well I don't know if I told you. enough about going up as a child what. was what was school like back then what. kind of stuff were you learning in. school school was very strict. you didn't mind it but it I mean. you know I I go and speak in a lot of. high schools and junior high schools.

they hang around the halls and horse. around and we never did that you didn't. do that you went to your classroom. I mean they were Hall monitors I don't. see them anymore but all monitors they. they were there were students that were. Advanced and they would tell you go to. your room. they could order us in in our room. it was strict and yet you didn't mind. the strictness because it was a system.

that you got used to you know you knew. exactly what to do. um. our teachers were older women never. young women. and they were spinsters they never got. married they were dedicated to their. profession. they were our second mother. I know I am not the only one out there. that struggles with sleep I had a major. problem sleeping in fact I didn't sleep.

much at all I wake up in the middle of. the night with a sore back a sore neck. sweating because I for some reason I. sleep hot and then on top of that when. you do wake up in the morning because. you always get like that last 45 minutes. before you know you gotta wake up right. and you're it's like the race against. the clock to try to get a little bit of. sleep then you get to sleep then you. gotta spend at least I did my first 45. minutes of the day.

stretching wandering around the house. and all kinds of weird positions just to. try to loosen my back up so I can put my. shoes on to go to work well then I. started going to mattress stores and and. you know you guys get it you go to the. mattress store and you get like. 20 different sales pitches on why you. need to buy the six thousand dollar. mattress well I had a friend tell me. about this company Helix mattresses so I. went to the website they got 20.

something mattresses to choose from. they're all memory foam they have. cooling technology that keeps your body. cool at night that way you're not waking. up sweating like I am and the cool thing. is they actually have a test don't worry. you're not gonna fail it but uh they. it's just a questionnaire and they ask. you a little bit about your sleep. routine what positions you're sleeping. in and then they make a recommendation. on what they think the best mattress is. for you on top of that they have a. hundred day test period where you can.

sleep on the mattresses if you don't. like them you can return them exchange. them whatever you want to do. I'm telling you Helix was a game changer. for me now I don't have to wake up and. wander around the house do all my. stretching it just. look I don't even know what it does it. just works don't just take my word for. it guys GQ and Wired Magazine have named. Helix their number one mattress like I. said just go online go to Helix.

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hvmn.com promo code Sean for 30 off your. first subscription of Ketone IQ. I can remember several of us kids with. become sick we'd throw up. see clean that up. the generator had one job that's to keep. the boy logo on the winter time but if. anything else was sick she had to clean. that up. I mean that that's what that's what you. they did and every morning we marched.

out of school around the flagpole and. pledged Allegiance after school no no in. the morning after school started and on. Thursday the president he had a program. that that he talked to children. Roosevelt did and they they had that on. during school really oh yeah we listened. to her you listen to the president what. would he talk about huh what kind of.

stuff. education how we could be a president I. mean he it was really good now this is. in junior high school and Senior High. you know. uh I'll never forget it because I can. remember him talking do you know that. every Saturday night in Detroit. President Roosevelt all over the country. but for us in Detroit see the comics. came out Saturday night.

the white section came out Sunday. morning. so we always get the comments we lay. them out on the floor well the president. would come on all right children lay. your comics on the floor because we're. going to find out what happened to Lil. Abner. and then maybe jigs. did their daughter ever get married well. let's find out oh it was so interesting. it was so good my mother would sit there.

and listen. how long was it just Roosevelt that. would speak to the kids or did this go. on through every presidency up to us at. that point but did it was it just. Roosevelt that spoke to the kids or did. it continue on after Roosevelt oh no no. that was Roosevelt said that was. strictly Roosevelt okay Harry Truman. Guardian things changed and then we had. a war you know Roosevelt got us out of. the war you know the day we loaded up. and took off from Evil back to Pearl.

Harbor we got the the speakers sounded. off now here are this. the old man is dead. we said old man President Roosevelt died. this morning with a cerebral hemorrhage. Harry Truman will become vice president. or the president. we said who's Harry Truman we never. heard of Harry Truman Roosevelt never. used his vice president much. like they use them no you know.

but. Harry did a good job yep. it was a mule Skinner. did you guys learn a lot about American. history oh we loved history we had. American history Detroit has the Detroit. Fork at Mackinac. it's between Canada and Michigan. that four is still there and tourists go. in there all the time and they play over.

the speaker a battle between them and. the Indians. it's interesting families love it. we had the Mohicans. the there were there was a story written. and it became a movie The Last of the. Mohicans I was saying that yep Last of. the Mohicans. so Detroit had a lot of good history. both the fathers it's the birthplace of. Ford Motor. and Henry Henry motor he did a lot for.

the city. he and Roosevelt got together and. started Bad Boys. uh uh trade school. and most of it in those days was tool. and die really things change automation. tool and I went out. what was. what was punishment like in school. pardon what was punishment punishment.

there was everything uh there was there. was discipline dealt with for if the. teacher handled minor discipline if it. was any further than that she called for. the vice president for the vice. principal. and the vice principal would come down. and if if he had to single one or two. out he said after school in my office. we'd say yes sir.

and we went into his office. he would talk punishment. the principal old man Cotter ready for. retirement would use this razor strap on. your hand oh bam bam and he'd watch her. face. and the best scene you could do was. start crying because he stopped then. and the women were in working right. around the desk and all that they hated. it you could see them once their face.

well old man caught her died and Mr long. the vice president took over. and he called me in the office one day. he lived two blocks from us I used to. deliver him newspapers he said Donald I. want to show you something he reached in. the drawer the President's Day or yeah. he picked it out he said you remember. this. yes sir I'll never forget it he said. throw it in the ash grant for me.

you're the last one that was strapped. with that. never he'd never be sort of to physical. punishment. he humiliates you with talk. he he impressed you you went home. thinking yeah you didn't go home rubber. those were good days yes. yes we got tired of school and yet we.

waited for a summer vacation to come. then we all had to go to work. couldn't lay around. we all had to go to work. I sold news I was a Western Union boy in. Detroit I delivered telegrams all over. Detroit downtown section some for the. Detroit Tigers. uh interesting people. I knew every business building downtown. people would say Donald I have to go pay. a bill and that where is the Ford.

building you take what you call to work. and then jump over on what you call it. and it's about two blocks down on the. left you can't miss it. what kind of stuff did you like to do. for fun back then. for fun yeah I love fishing. yeah I like organized softball but but I. like fishing and honey that's what I. love to do really what kind of fish huh. what kind of fish. crappies crab Hills perch.

Bass. when we troll deep troll for for a bike. and I'm talking about Pike. right like that two and a two and a half. feet long right I do good good size. northern pike. a lot of bone but delicious meat. Friday in Michigan. it's that way in Wisconsin. I don't know if it's that way around. here or not you don't so but every.

Friday was fish night. it just it was fish night yeah and. everybody loved to go out for fish I'd. say to my wife. today Friday kids will be gone. you want to go for fish yeah let's go. down the golf club man it fish there. Friday night fish what would you hunt. huh what kind of animal would you hunt I. love rabbit my mother could roast rap oh.

she was good with rabbit yeah and I love. birds. Grouse grows are delicious very delicate. yeah deer huh venison I like a good. venison steak with pancakes really oh. that goes good maple syrup. it goes good yeah. I went there hunting up North with my. dad. 14 years old never forget it there was a.

cousin of mine there at 14 same with me. we hunted together they put us on a. stand and we had slugs in a shotgun. they had rifles they went around drove. them towards us and then when they come. at us they would either fire at him or. tell us where which way they went. because when they came at us they Veer. off or go that way. so they wanted to know why we didn't. take a shot. we couldn't kill him we couldn't do it.

we were young. they would stand there and look at you. how could you kill something like that. yeah unless you were starving or hungry. we couldn't do it we couldn't come is. you're not even going to use your guns. anymore when we get back leave them. what kind of rifles were you using huh. do you remember what kind of rifles you. were using Winchester's yeah Remington. Remington 12 gauge 16.

you know there was a there Well they. claimed on on birds the best weapon was. the 20 cage. straight ahead you know I believe that's. still true. yeah like a bullet. excuse me. around. couldn't do that in the Marine Corps. round. how many rounds hit him three of them. got him in the leg.

what. what got your interest in the military. but what what got your interest in the. military my dad was in the Marine Corps. in the first World War. he never talked much about it but I knew. he was in and we'd ask him questions and. he reluctantly answered us. it was not a discussionist type person. at all. no I don't know he'd go like that you. know but it was I don't know he had.

something his childhood it's just a mess. you know uh. but what was your question I asked you. what what got your interest in joining. the Marine Corps. what what got your interest in joining. the Marines to go in the car. two actors. Pat O'Brien. Jimmy Cagney. both of them played a lot of Marines. tough Sergeants.

and it it it I just I just like the. Marine Corps I like the uniform. we were all Honest by saying you got to. admit it was the uniform that really. interested us. it still is or we paid a heavy price. a heavy price we went into boot camp the. first thing we heard there were a bunch. of kids that are already went through. you'll be sorry.

yeah but I love the car. we fought good we were Americans. this is one thing that the corps. appreciated when we went in to sign up. why are you signing up on the Marine. Corps. you realize that we're the first to. fight. we said yes sir well why do you want to. come in the Marine Corps because I know. they fight and we want to fight the. enemy. we want to fight Japanese.

as that's just the way we felt was that. see we learned that we learned that in. school also a lot of patriotism back. then yes. and the movies went to war. yep. Hollywood was good in those days it's a. bunch of trash now. trash. what was the media like. media yeah the news.

were they very I think I think in all. fairness. I have never experienced anything in my. life. until now this past. years. the last of what I was used to was with. Donald Trump. I haven't seen it since. breaks my heart. yeah I love my country.

people are distorted their minds are all. goofed up they don't know what to do. and that's because the schools are so. blame but you know your high school kids. today. I'll be very honest and Frank and I know. what I'm talking about because I've gone. I've spoken high schools can you imagine. a high school a a school dropout. going to a college or university and. talking to students. the Baptist Theological Seminary I went.

and spoke to twice in Dallas. and they know they know they know that I. did not finish school. why What's the diff what happened I. think that we learned something that was. deep rooted with our country. that they don't get today. no and Hollywood is not making good. wholesome movies about our country are. here we I we learned a lot of history.

from Hollywood a lot of history. we learned all about uh Ford how he. started out. uh our our electricity. everything. the first mirror in an operating room. Thomas Edison put a mirror up. and it deflected the lake directly. directly right on the wound where they.

were working yeah but it was done by. reflection. he thought of that we saw all of the. Thomas Edison movies very educated. Alexander Graham Bell. the electricity. how that Wabash. Indiana is the place where they lit the. first lights. that town is still there and those lamps. are still there in the streets really my.

son had a home there for a couple of. years and I went there quite a few times. did Americans. get along back then. I think that we got along good with. because you know we had parades we had. praise all the time and I I thank my dad. for doing it but you know young boys. forget. and when the parade when the flags would.

come by and the parade we'd be sitting. duck get up on your feet the flag is. coming now can you imagine my father. spending more loyalty to the flag that. he did his family. but that's what he was that's what he. was trained he was a Marine. so we would stand in our home when. Roosevelt spoke. we stood up in our home. wow that's the way it was some different. times.

a lot of respect. we had parades. do you know that all the four all of the. car industry of the big factories in. Detroit. do you know that the 4th of July they. all had company picnics and Families. members and families that worked there. were invited to the picnic everybody. went there the parks were jammed full. all over the city of Detroit. they paid forever then.

it's gone there's nothing like that. anymore after the war it ended it. stopped. so that lost a real relationship a touch. there. there was a bomb there yeah we've lost. that. Boy Scouts I was a boy scout. I have speak to Boy Scouts. upper Roanoke they had Boy Scouts here. it was a patriotic day and I spoke.

and there was standing around with their. hands in their pocket. one kid had his church tail hanging out. and I said to the Scout mess is the. scout master there and he raised his. hand would you mind bringing the boys up. to the front. and he said sure and he got them all. together they all came up the front. they thought they were going to be. recognized. and I said would you boys turn around. and face the audience and they turned. around face the audience. and I said.

young men. do you realize that you are the future. of America. do realize that maybe someday you will. have to take our place when it comes to. battle. look at you now you got your hands in. your pockets your shirts hanging out. look at your look at your socks. straighten up. get in good shape there and do you help.

people cross the street we did. if you saw a woman with bags of. groceries and wraps would you help her. or do would you let her go out right by. you. I mean and the the scout master was. staying on the other side looking at him. and he shook his head with agreement. that's what we got. that was just recent. we got a problem. and the school is to blame for it.

yeah the school had more of us than our. own mothers. and they didn't use it. and they're not using it today and we're. losing good teachers because they're not. going to teach that junk. trash. has nothing to do with our country. and another thing is. one thing we have to learn. I speak to a lot of our young men that.

have lost their arms and legs. they can never say. they had victory. they can never say they won the battle. it's still going on they've been doing. it for 2 000 years for crying out I've. been fighting Israel. it's not going to stop that's all they. know. we had no business going in there. and we sent our boys in there because oh. we're America we're going to help the.

world the world doesn't help us. we're on our own. yeah. so you ask a question like that and I. reached way out that far ahead I. appreciate the fact that you do you got. to look at this we need to know what's. we've got to realize what's happening. yeah we've got to get back to being a. patriotic country. we've got to protect our nation we've. got to see that gate slam shut On the.

Border run the first run those little. standard run them back over themselves. on the Mexican side. shut that gate up and lock it up forever. I think it's going to happen. I think so too it's gonna happen real. quick. I think you're right that babe sound. like harsh words but I love this country. and we better start I was in France. Normandy. we spent some time in Normandy three.

veterans we were invited there for a big. celebration. one of the first things I saw when I. drove when we drove into the yard of a. home where they were going to keep us. for four or five days. I saw the American flag flying right. next to a French flag. and I saw it everywhere all over that. part of France. schools. buildings American and French flags.

together. and I didn't know that. I never really liked the French. I didn't like the way they fought I. didn't like the way they stood back when. things were happening I just never liked. it. I had a lesson to learn those people. loved their country they went through. battle hell. they have memorials and they're not.

going to erase them I was told that they. they've got memorials they have stains. on walls well they had firing squads. during the first World War. I never liked that. well let me tell you something if anyone. goes to to France. and goes to Normandy and goes a few. miles out of Normandy. they will see a little church chapel. that is over a hundred years old on a. river side.

it is called The Church of the. blood-stained pews. we don't know what that meant so we were. invited in. it's a history. Saint Patty was in it really he went he. went there. and. we couldn't understand what this blood. stain was so she took us on a tour and. showed us the benches though our blood. all over the benches stained dry from.

the second world war the Germans took. that town over. and they fought from inside of that. Chapel. and we beat him and drove him out of. town but our boys got hit. and they set a hospital up inside the. church but hadn't done it they couldn't. quite get it all done and the boys were. sitting in the pews waiting to be taken. care of and there was blood all over the. place it's still there.

my dear friend Kelly was with us she. knows she's seen it or did you not. I don't think she did that was some. other place we went to Ireland. I got to Ireland too so let's get uh. let's get back to. what got you interested in joining the. military how well God what got you into. joining the military when when did how. old were you when World War II started.

how old when the war started 16 years. old 16 years old 16 yes. and I can never I'll never forget what. really stimulated me. it was the 8th of December one day after. Pearl Harbor. and it was cold eight degrees below in. Detroit. and we were sitting in an old car. listening to the big bands over an old.

radio we hooked up and we were wrapped. up in a blanket we had caps and jackets. on but we wanted to listen to the big. bands you know. and our parents really didn't. particularly like it so here we could. listen to it and then all of a sudden. the announcer comes on. he said ladies and gentlemen we. interrupt this broadcast the president. of the United States will address the. nation and on came Roosevelt our hero.

he led us through the war. and we beat the enemy. and this is what he said. yesterday. December 7th. 1941. a date which will live in infamy. the United States of America. was suddenly and deliberately attacked. by Naval and Air Forces of the Empire of.

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ZipRecruiter the smartest way to hire. thank you. as soon as that was over with I said to. my two buddies I said tomorrow morning. I'm skipping school. I'm going down join the Marine Corps and. they said you can't you've got to be 17. years old and you have to have your. mother's your mother and dad's signature. well I can get them both I only got six. months to go. I'm going down and get the paper so I. got up in the morning I had two sisters. and a brother I said don't tell anything.

to Mom I'm going down to the Marine. Corps office this morning so I took off. I ran downtown. saw a gunny sergeant in the door where. you met me he's a young man what can I. do it for you I said I want to join up. he said how old are you I said 16. he. said I can't take you you got to be 17. when will you be 17 I said in six months. tell you what I'll do if you want to do. this I will give you a piece of paper.

you take that paper your mother and. father and when you're 17 you have them. sign and bring it back and will do a. business you want to do that yes sir. it's a goal and out the door I went down. the stairway ran all the way home as. best I could. ran through the back door but I forgot I. skipped school. and my mother was there baking. and she said what are you doing home. and I realized I had skipped school and.

I said Ma I skipped school I went down. the Marine Corps office and I got papers. and when I'm 17 I'm going to go in the. Marine Corps no you're not. you're gonna stay in school you're not. going to you know I went through this. already oh one more I'm not going. through this again. so forget it throw it away. I went the front in the dining room and. went in the buffet opened the drop. tucked it under some papers shut the. drawer six months later it was May 3rd.

and we had a small party my dad was. there. and I knew I had no problem with him so. I went and got that piece of paper roll. I didn't have a pen I said Dad signed. this will you he said what is it I'm. going in the Marine Corps get me a pen. this. she's I'm not signing that and she went. through that same thing I went through. this before I'm not going to go again he.

said Vera let me talk to you man listen. to me. the boy walked out of school. he's doing odd jobs. he'll probably turn out to be a bum. and I went like this to my mother. she said give me the paper. and she decided they both had to sign up. without that door and I ran all the way. downtown saw the sergeant again.

he said you got it I said I have here it. is he said good now he said I want to. tell you something see that door over. there yes sir. you're gonna go in that door and meet a. Navy doctor. I said yes sir he said he's going to. check you over from the top of your head. to the tip of your toes. you ain't never going to forget it do. you want to do that I said yes sir. here's a goal I went in knocked on the. door and said come on in Walk the door. and he did he checked me from the top of.

my head to the tip of my toes and I. ain't never going to forget it and I. haven't forgot it yet. [Laughter]. that was it that was the start well he. said I'll call you in two weeks and your. mother and father bringing the train. station we'll go to San Diego and you'll. go eight weeks of boot camp how many 16. year olds. we're signing up back then. or 17. well a lot of them tried it but.

they could you had to have your birth. certificate the birth certificate. doesn't lie there it is so they had to. be 17. you hear about them getting. sneaking in the army that was a lot. easier but you could never do it in the. Marine Corps really now there's no way. you're going to get away with it they're. not going to take that liability. they just didn't think they had to you. know yeah. but a lot of people join in back then. huh a lot of people joining the Armed.

Forces it was you when you boot camp oh. in San Diego the Marine Corps Base. that that parade ground well we trained. was so packed full of platoons of young. kids. it was amazing how we didn't hit we went. right around one another. the DA's were good they they they yelled. command of you know of all everything we. had to do lifter Blake right or break.

left turn and we never run into one. another they they couldn't in fact they. stopped or stopped taking them until we. could get them out of there you know. graduate Tyrone Power the actor was in. there one platoon behind me Glenn Ford. was in there. Eddie Albert from Green Acres was in. there really yes we had people ended. from Hollywood. went to war everybody was joining the. Duke John Wayne tried to go in the core.

and the the officer said to him he says. Duke. he said take care of your family at home. you're 40 years old he says go home and. take care of your boys and make movies. so we can learn something. we learned from Hollywood. they had some good military movies yeah. they really did it's exaggerated junk. today.

there is one I highly recommend Letters. From Evil. that is a classic. if you want to know how the Japanese. really felt about fighting our Iwo Jima. see that movie. they were lied to they were told by the. politicians that they were on a holy war. and that meant they would never. surrender they would always fight to the.

death. but all of a sudden the soldier starts. surrendering they got word. that that they were lied to. that's what it was all about. well what was your training like in the. Marine Corps very severe training. our diss were. I don't know what's going on now I can't. speak up for it no but our diss were. they had a lot of time in the car there. was there was salt they've been in. Philippines.

they they had really been around and. they were stiff I mean. when you had rifle inspection in the. morning every morning. Port Arms. unload weapon pull the bolt open he. would combine and grab that out of your. hand and flip it around his hand. looked through the barrel on that he'd. find something wrong. what is this. I looked at it and I thought I thought.

sure I cleaned it I said sir that's dirt. wait but right on my face just like that. cleaned it up and cleaned your weapon I. want everything clean and that weapon. tomorrow. I mean that's the way it was no we never. left home before I mean that would bring. tears to rise I mean we we felt beat. down in the ground but it made men out. of us. when show me a platoon that will go.

through the Marine Corps. training basic. and walked downtown our Liberty he. doesn't slouch around with his hazardous. bugger he's marching. we walk like we were doing Cadence. everywhere we went my my daughter told. me she's one time in Dallas he said I. was waiting until you can go aboard the. plane and we're about three or four of. us went in a young man came up and he. had a suitcase and he set it down on the. on the on the on the ground on the floor.

and he was standing there and he was. looking around he said this young fella. can I ask you a question she yeah he. said yes ma'am. are you a marine yes ma'am she said I. thought so. you can see it you can tell it when he. walks down the street. if he cares at all you know how bad. what else did you what else did they. train you to do in boot camp. excuse me what else did they train you.

to do in boot camp. it it was a matter of of. well your calisthenics you're marching. and all that that that is to uniform. right parades ceremonials you have to. learn and know that. the rest of it was combat dream. one of the first things we did. we have bayonets. and we had our rifles and we fixed.

bayonets. and he had each one of us come up. and they had a dummy there. and. he said. that the Japanese soldier coming at you. there what are they going to do with. that rifle. and we would trust that blade again. but we just poke it. and he'd stop grab it out of your hand. shove your back and say you're dead.

hey just like that like can you imagine. talking a 17 year old kids there like. first time they left them. but we needed it that's that's we're. gonna we're gonna face the enemy I mean. and these guys they've had it drilled in. their head too because a lot of them. never saw any action yet. you know. too young but he told he sure he's now I. want to show you something and he took a.

rifle with his bayonet. and he showed us what you do if you. can't get it up pull the trigger. it'll come out. that's what you learn. so you went to Delta company's second. Battalion 28th Marines fifth Marine. Division correct yep brand new division. it was brand new at that time called. spearhead Division and Roosevelt for one.

of that division specific for one thing. which we never knew till one day off the. item Iwo Jima really absolutely we did. not know. but I knew one thing after I saw evil I. we didn't know it at the time. but we always invaded a Knoll or a hill. if if you've been out San Clemente. Island yes I have we ready we invaded. that Island. really yes and there's just like a.

volcano on our Channel and we would. approach that and I'd use fire and. everything. I mean if that's we trained on that and. that's what it was used for. wow so I trained on that island but it. didn't it we didn't understand it didn't. mean anything to us yeah. but here we're standing there looking at. Mount sarabachi and I said my gosh. now I know what the heck we were doing.

so you went from San Diego and then you. went to New Zealand yeah that first time. over where we went into his inner to. train because New Zealand opened up his. doors they have a great vast of desert. because they have a lot of cattle sheep. and uh it was just like California. and it's only 200 square miles you know. but they they let us do that there and.

so otherwise it would be Hawaii in New. Zealand yes New Zealand did you know you. were going to Iwo Jima when you went to. New Zealand did we know we were going to. museum you never know where you're going. to go that's never okay never that's. never brought up you just go do you know. we love San Diego. arrived at Museum in 21 days later. zigzag seven knots. just like that slow.

that's slow but that was because of. submarines you don't run a straight line. you zigzag. so when we went from Manor Diamond it. took a long time did you. see any engagements from submarines did. you see any engagements we never did and. you know I had a I had a Cellar was. stand alongside the line. and I said geez this is scary we don't.

have any protection he says sure you do. and I said where. he said guns we got there but I mean out. there he said. we got don't worry we got plenty of. protection if we need it. well something happened I don't know. what it was we got nearly equator. and all of a sudden I heard. a destroyer pulled right up wrong side.

of us. and then they stayed for a while and. then veered off gone never saw him as. you look across the ocean. the waves you can't see them anymore. you can't see them until they're on you. so you you do have protection oh God. yeah they're not going to send a convoy. over there without protection. so you were going to. Island X.

what is Island X excuse me what is. Island X. I don't know. was that a. code word for New Zealand or was that a. code word for Iwo Jima. no we never used a Cold War for Iwo Jima. okay no no I don't know where if that. I don't we knew all the islands they. were named you know because we weren't.

going we weren't heading for an invasion. yet but you know when we left when we. packed up and left news in it we were. ready for combat but our job was to. knock out tanks. and on the islands tanks didn't do very. well they went down in the mud. and so they used them for artillery so. how are we going to make up by going in. there we had half tracks. and that wouldn't work so they broke us. up they felt we weren't needed went back.

to the States and formed the fifth. Marine Division okay so that's when we. formed the fifth division so you went to. New Zealand first yeah the first first. one was the anti-tank Battalion okay. yeah so we went I went on two tours. and then the next time we were ready we. went to New Zealand and we stayed there. and trained for a while then loaded up. got around Honolulu went all through the. channel on our way to Saipan got off of. that and loaded lsts which had six.

amphibious tractors down below that was. going to take us to combat and we took. off for two weeks and one morning we. woke up at five o'clock in the morning. with banging away an airplane is flying. and. we were right in a battle and about two. miles away was Mount surabachi and we. saw that mountain we could see it and. the Navy and the air of course hammered. that thing it was a cloud of smoke all.

over the place. before we get there. when did you become a flamethrower. I was issued a flame tour to begin with. in the fifth division because we would. get that's what we were going to train. for. my job was of course to knock off pill. boxes fortifications. burn them out what is a flamethrower. carry in combat five five gallons of. fuel fuel oil gasoline mixture.

a lot of fire no Napalm napalms are. jelly and it throws chunks like that and. burns. we didn't use that the tanks used that. okay and they could shoot it way out. how far did your did you carry a sidearm. at all or I carried a 45 because I. couldn't carry your rifle. because that gun is about that long yeah.

yeah what about how far how much. distance could you get with a flag. thrower how far would it go yeah. I would say. with a straight shot full force. you could probably you'd probably get. 65 70 feet. wow oh yeah. but it wouldn't be as effective if you. burst in the entrances you know.

because you're you're going into an open. cave there's always an entrance you know. and you blow fire in there just blow a. couple of bursts like that you have six. to seven bursts that's all you've got if. you held the trigger back in 15 seconds. you're empty that's it that quick. that quick wow so you have to learn to. swoop. woof. that's it you got about five or six like. that five gallons gone. yeah wow how many two and a half in this.

tank two and a half in that tank the. pressure tank was in the middle. yeah so there's three tanks yeah well. it's three cylinders okay yeah that. middle one was reinforced Steel. and the the other tanks were close to it. the only thing that I would think of is. if they shot me from the back and around. hip between the tanks they would get. right through in my back. but if it hit those they were oval so it.

would probably Ricochet off. interesting. let's talk about. The Gourmet breakfasts the morning of. the invasion the gourmet breakfast. [Laughter]. we got up in the morning and they had. shout on top side they brought it up.

because the amphibious tractors were. down there we had to live on that thing. for two weeks. on top on a blanket that was it. we had to leave the blankets there when. we got off. well and all of a sudden. you know every now we'd see a [ __ ] Series. in one of our Planes fight. overhead let's see that and then the. shells from from the from the worship. the battleships and that you could hear.

them. like that and then you'd watch where it. would hit. uh well anyway they brought the child up. and we had steak and eggs. and never had a stake in the Marine. Corps I had a lot of eggs. but not a steak so we're standing there. eating it makeshift tables. and I said to this kid next to me hey. buddy I said what's with the steak and. eggs. he said Graves think about it what do. they do with convicts before they.

execute them. that's the kind of humor we had going. into battle it's crazy. but that's why we. until we got in it. and it was reality yeah and I'll never. forget we passed by a transport. and the neighbors were up on the bow. waiting for us to go back you know. they'd have a cup of coffee. and they'd say.

give it to them there Marie give it to. them they're nice give me a cup now I. love them. did they did they give you a mission. brief before you went in give us what a. mission brief. what did they tell you they said if you. can take a prisoner taking we don't know. a thing about this island we know it's. eight square miles we have an estimate. of 22 000 Japanese soldiers on it twenty.

two thousand twenty two thousand. yes how many marines were going in uh. that would be 20 65 000. three divisions. there's twenty thousand interdivision. well 20 40 60. so sixty thousand Marines took 22 000. Japanese can you imagine not eight. square miles no but you see they they. fought underground then came up fire and. went back down Underground.

so they weren't actually fighting on on. top side you know why did we want to. invade Iwo Jima Iwo Jima Iwo Jima lie in. the way in in the path of Saipan or beef. or B-52 yeah. beefids with her. and excuse me. b-29s. the b-29s were there and they went. direct flights there to Tokyo dropped.

their bombs and had to get back to. Saipan the the corsairs. that from either from Earth from Saipan. could not travel that far they ran out. of fuel. so they wanted to have that Island. for a place to land in case they were. hit and also. uh the the P-51. would meet them take them there and take. them all the way back to Saipan it.

traveled that far okay the p-51s. so Roosevelt designed this that was his. idea. and I thought it was a good it was a. costly thing but when it was all over. we saved 29 000 Air Force personnel in. some of our planes wow. what was the what was the mission brief. when they told you well they tell us. what did they tell us number one if you.

can take a prisoner take him. if you can't you kill them. uh. that was that was just primarily that. was it because what could they tell us. that they had they they tried to talk. about the air strips that were fortified. but they really didn't know I mean it. was just a lot of guesswork. so I think that we were surprised and. awful lot as we fought on that island.

we were surprised. so you landed they had a 500 they headed. to Camp Pendleton I don't know if it's. still there if they had it out in front. on display but they hadn't made uh. something like a 500 mg rocket and when. it when it lost it went like that and. you could see it. you could see it and it would drop and. blow up.

it was a rugged thing it could only go. short but it could go all over the eight. square miles. and that was the thing that we tried to. find we could never find it well what. happened was we were told that we were. going to uh see I I'm going too fast. because we had left sir about she'd gone. to hill 362a we lost our Battalion there. and my job the next morning was to turn. my frame tour in grab Demolition and.

another man and I we went up and we. fixed the shape charge to drop that top. in because that's where they were firing. out of on our battalion. and when when we reached the top. I counted roughly 50 Japanese dead. soldiers on top of that Island. and we had to crawl over them to get to. the mouth of the cave and we set that.

thing off and it filled with fire just. bellowed inside. and then it was over. that seemed to stop them but they went. to the north. they just went underground to the north. that's what they did. well Don let's let's start at the very. beginning so he landed. you get you you arrived at Iwo Jima on. the USS Missoula correct yes landed on.

D-Day the third wave onto the beach. February 19th eight o'clock in the. morning. and the mission was to secure Mount. suribachi yes. the mission was supposed to last two. weeks and the last wound up lasting six. weeks. Japanese had underground bunkers called. pill boxes. you were a flamethrower let's just. step by step from the brief to loading. up the insertion on the beach what was. it like.

on the insertion to the beach I had two. men one on my 11 and one on my right. we were pretty well much alone we didn't. wait for anybody else we just kept doing. our job bellowing firing what we thought. they might be in then we'd Move Along. where they shooting at you before well. before you landed this is where the two. men come in also if they come right now. a lot of them are on fire and come. running out. bang bang we drop them. they would they would kill them right. there if they would come up with their.

hands up in that then we would call we. would call for support they'd send a. bunch of people up there and grab them. but it it it was it was a different kind. of a fight we never fought like that on. an island before. uh so and it was him it was all volcanic. so they had to tunnel in everywhere they. went and it was solid and hard you know. to get in and stay in they lived in it.

they lived in there for two years before. we came. so. the idea was to to block them up if we. could and the only way we could do it. was to close it in now the engineers. followed us. we would we would do our best to get him. out. and then when we left they come along. blow the thing in. Dynamite can you describe. how long it took you to get from the. beach to the tunnels to the pill boxes.

it took from the top of the beach was. 575 feet to mount suribachi. we got there the third day. wow third day they come at us at night. time but during the day they threw. everything they had on us because. they're right down on us they can look. they could see us. that's why my Skipper when he took a. wrong right bad place. he crawled up behind that rock and they.

couldn't get him. and he lit up a cigarette and that was. it till we found him what did he say. yeah it it it when we reached the base. finally we had a hand fight with hand. grannies but they were throwing them. down on us but we couldn't throw up. now normally we can grab if we're fast. enough we'll grab that hand grain we'll. throw it right back at him their own. their own and it'll it'll get them but. we couldn't do it we couldn't throw them. uphill.

that's quite a long ways up there. so what we did is we secured the base. blew up blew him out of there just did. everything moved to got him out of there. they went down in the cave and went down. below a month sir hibachi. some of them came up to the top there. and then our Patrol that went up to with. this flag that my Battalion Commander. gave them to put up. they killed a few of them up there. anyway. yeah were there planes.

can you describe the scene a little bit. will there was there planes above where. there are. how much they did not come because. they'd be hitting us you know so it was. all man oh yeah we gave him worth it. we're gonna we're we're mopping up Sir a. boxer right now don't be coming out of. us so they did not come so it's just let. them come we didn't want him to come. because we were all over that place. the head of Battalion of men.

well I'll tell you when we left sir. about you we didn't have a battalion. and when we got to Hill 362a. that was a that was a bloody thing it. just it just hammered the Daylights out. of us. I almost cried I I was off to the side. where the philanthropist if they get me. I'm. I'm chop I'm chopped liver that's all. there is to it. they got my squad leader they tortured. him they found his body.

so I took over the squad. but then I lost my I lost the squad. so I mean it it's just. it was just a bloody confused bear we. didn't know what to really expect. because nobody knew anything about the. island. it was Kept Secret. how many friends did you have die there. how many how many friends did you have. die there oh I had a kid. Orville Caribou was his name we went to.

school together. in Detroit we went to school together. and he was a Rifleman. he was killed on Hill 362 away. I had about three or four good buddies. there that were killed we lost our. officers none of them came out of there. so we fought to the North End and by the. time we got to the North End. we held it right there because we had. him down by the water. we had about a week to go when when we.

because we knew we would be five years. six weeks yeah so we had about a week to. go and we would have it all done. and uh. they would come at us at night and then. go Hunker back down on the beach. by the water they can go swim our ships. or our boats would take them up pick. them off or they could come at us and. eventually we'd wipe them up because we. killed like two three hundred every. night at a bonsai charge I think we were.

fortunate I don't know in my Battalion. of anybody that really got killed by a. bonsai charged unless it was hand. grenades but bodily they did not get to. us and that's what we were really afraid. of bayonet playing. we didn't want that to happen but we. were ready if we had to we had to you. know but that never happened because we. could kill him before they got right to. us.

yeah how long did it take for you to see. the first Marine killed in action when. you hadn't quite get the question how. long did it take. for you to see the first Marine killed. in action at Iwo Jima not long at all. when I hit the beach I lay face down. I had these two boys with me we were. scared to death John Basilone Medal of. Honor Aguada Canal the first one. he was killed right to our right never.

got up. three kids ahead of me were already dead. there were bodies laying all over the. beach so we had to crawl over those. bodies to move to the top. but it was hard to get into the top. because nobody could get off the thing. every time you'd get up to move and run. and when we got they had it all they. they plowed up the volcanic ash loose. two and a half three feet of it and it. would sink right up here here right up.

to your cab and then you had to get your. leg up well I had a flame thrower on. well by the time I reached the top I. lost my two buddies they weren't with me. anymore. so I I went I went the first night of. that battle I was alone. in in a hole too. it was a mess it was really a mess a. disaster that's the problem of going on. these attitudes you don't know anything. about. you don't know what to expect.

when is the first time you fired your. flamethrower in battle first time on the. way to surabachi. yeah. I've heard it will burn my way right. through to the base. and by that time I was the only one left. in my up my outfit they were wounded or. killed. can you describe the first time you used. the flamethrower well when I when I when. I reached when I reached the base.

they were they were they were you know. it was funded they had a it's all. cleared out now but they had big. boulders placed there. and so the interest of the cave was to. the mountain was behind them and this. protected them so they were in between. but you could see their hair their head. moving back and forth. you can see it and we couldn't get him. a buddy of mine yellow Graves come on.

over here and I walked over and had my. flamethrower on my back see if you can. get him I can't get him so he held the. gun up on my gun friends her and I took. the bar and I'm firing away and I'm. chipping the rocket right at the guy's. head. you would hit the Top of the Rock but we. couldn't get him and then he'd move over. him we tried if that went on and on and. on Sophia what we did is we called for. air power. and the our marine planes came in and.

they scraped the Daylights out of that. thing well they did kill a few but a few. of them went right back in the caves. [Laughter]. but we wanted to get that done before. dark. we had to get that thing wiped off. before dark. that was a bad place to be. the problem is they came out at night. and fought. that was the General's way of doing. things. hunkered on during the day let them have.

their fun and then hit him at night. but they paid a price for it every night. we were ready. yeah how would they fight you at night. how was the fight at night. scary. screaming yelling. I had one Japanese with with a bag on. his side hand grenades. all he was doing was he was drunk around. osaki they had sake in the caves like. crazy they heard him drink I mean.

anything to keep going you know and they. had drugs and I mean talk and mumbled. himself one came at us with that bag of. hanger and started throwing them one lob. Down in the Hole. and normally if you're if you grab it. you can throw it back at him but there's. nowhere in the world we could get that. hand grenade I picked it tossed it up it. hit the top of the bank and rolled back. in I said oh a grenade we all cleared.

the whole one fella and he was a married. man one of The Replacements his his one. foot stayed in and it went off and it. tore his foot off was hanging by his. skin. and may we scream for stretcher Bearer. stretcher bear where they find out what. brought a structure Barry over to us. and we got him on there but his his foot. was hanging off here on the side he. didn't know I didn't say anything about. it but I I broke down crying I lost it.

if he only he could have pulled both. legs out of there. and he said don't worry about it Don I'm. going home and he did. Harry Harry Knights sounds like it then. we get up in the morning he'll go out. and count them. yeah make sure they're dead. not a good job. and you know they were just like us.

young teenagers. 20s. young young ones. only young men can fight Wars we learned. that. older men cannot fight Wars. their mind's different. we were brainwashed. for good got us home what got us killed. yeah that's War. and you've got to be trained to Go learn.

you have to be trained. what did it feel like to engage the. enemy for the first time. first time of combat yeah. a lot of screaming. screaming and yelling. at both sides. it's just a lot of screaming and yelling. you know they were afraid as we are but.

it was either that or they'd be shot. no surrender. until later. and Okinawa they surrendered. did you. can you describe what it was like to. to shoot the flamethrower was it bursts. was it one long sweep. you know at first if you don't if if the. fire was just on their back like. they would run.

they just I closer out of their minds. but they would run on across our riflem. would pick them off you know. but it's just a it's a tormenting it. hangs of course it it sticks on your. clothes first and then Burns well then. you know it's coming it's going right. through the clothes in your body. in their face you know or some. surrendered head faces burned of some of. their bodies and they didn't wear it was. hot on there during the day and they.

were these little briefs or I don't know. I call them diapers. there's a word for it but I don't know. what it was I called them diapers and. they would they would be a coming out. running out of the caves with those. diapers see. smelly and terrible in those caves lice. they were full we had to spray them. prisoners we we fumigated them. this terrible sprayed them. or it was spread like wildfire put him.

in a compound. never touched them when you would shoot. somebody with a flamethrower how long. would they be on fire. but when you would shoot somebody with a. flamethrower how long would they be on. fire. uh how long did the fire last yes. like like I say if you're gonna do birth. which you should. throw a burst. see what happened nothing throw another.

burst and then move on. but you wouldn't you wouldn't pull the. trigger back until you emptied it. because you only got 15 16 seconds. you're out yeah. you're gone but if you do it in birth. you got about five or six shots. that's not much but when you stop to. think one shot could do a lot of damage. yeah. how many. how many people could you. uh. because they're all in a cave you don't.

know you hear a lot of yelling they they. yell all the time they try and scare you. with yellow the extreme and yell at you. when they come at you so you you know it. all sounds the same you know. I don't know what the engineers found. whether they were all burned up or not. we don't know. but you have to move you can't stand. there you move.

on let's talk about some Foxhole stories. so I heard that we have very similar. saying. no atheists our fossils. that's right. can you describe that. if a person we've had kids and I think. every war has them. we've had kids say.

I'm looking out for myself if I get. killed it's my fault that's the end of. it. some of us will say. I'm going to hope God will help me get. through this battle. no atheists in Foxhole so I've seen them. yell and scream and help oh God help me. I've I've heard time and time again. and they won't tell you but they'll. they'll pray you can see they're they're. praying but they would never tell you.

and you don't you don't bother them when. you know a man might be put you leave. him alone. you never say a thing to him. you don't question them. but that started on guadal Canal no. atheists and foxholes really and it's. spread to everybody other battles. I use that expression uh several times. the battle. what's that I said I've used that. expression several times in battle but. you made a deal with God.

I know you deal with God I made a pledge. I broke the pledge. but God. understood the whole situation. when I hit the beach I was terrified. I had my face right down on the sand I. was so scared everything the screaming. and the yelling. I just said Lord I said I don't know I. don't know much about you at all I know.

you exist I I know you are. and if you could help me get me on this. I don't know serve you the rest of my. life. and I got a hunch there were a lot of. kids on that beach praying too. where else would you go what would you. do. well to make it real short. he got me off that iron in six weeks. he never really got me until nine years. later.

that was nine years after the war. I had something happen to me that I felt. so ashamed. we were on the North End we had about. two weeks to go they finally pulled the. big Bonsai on us. and it's it's funny in the daytime you. don't see anything. you don't see anything at all.

at at two o'clock in the morning that's. when it happened when you can't you. you're fighting sleep and that's when. they start blowing horns and bells. they're screaming and yelling they're. coming at you and you do you you do your. best you want to make every shot count. and. yes a few of us would get it but we. would just kill them knock them all down. lay them down. well what happened we stayed in that. hole that night or that night and the.

next morning there were three of us. we made it got through it. and uh. we got I got word that. I was to be looking for snipers. so I got up and I I took my glasses on. the ground like my elbows and I'm. looking around look I couldn't see I. think it was all quiet. couldn't spot a thing I was there about. 15 minutes when I dropped back down.

and I said and I said there's nothing. going on out there so I phoned in and I. told them no snipers. they said keep looking because they know. where we're at they're shooting us back. up here I said 10-4 by the way he said. you've got a kid coming for your. replacement. I said we can use them. and so if other kids yelled over the. whole whose Graves and I said I am come. on in here and he jumped in the hole and.

he said what do you want me to do and I. said sit down and we'll be a live dude. later on tonight. I said well I gotta be looking. and he says Grace give me the glasses. I'll look. I said no you get yourself killed one of. my buddies says give them your glasses. that's what he's here for. I threw the glasses at me got up and. we're shooting the breeze. he's up here looking then all of a. sudden. he fell back his helmet rolled off.

between my feet when it stopped I looked. down in the helmet I was shocked all. three of us we were just stunned we. didn't expect that. that that neighbor thought that was me. he was ready for me. and there was a little a young beer a. beautiful girl sitting in the in a chair. and on her lap was a baby. I lost it. I got up and screamed and yelled and. shook my fist in the air and say.

courtesy with Jima. Curse God. for letting. that kid take my place. see that's I didn't understand. and yet days before I was praying for. help. well. we phoned in and told them what happened. we got into another hole. and same story until the end and all of.

a sudden nothing was happening they were. down there by the water and. it was either come at us and die or go. in the water and be shot in the water. either way. we don't know what happened but we were. released by the third division 18 of us. walked on to the cemetery. let's take a quick break yeah. this episode is sponsored by betterhelp. a lot of you know that we talk about.

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all right Don so we're going to start to. wrap up your time in Iwo Jima and I just. got a couple of stories that I heard you. talk about last night at dinner that I'd. like to. expound upon let's talk about uh making. hot chocolate and foxholes hot chocolate. if I'm speaking eventually someone is. going to say Dad you have any. interesting stories and some say tell. the hot chocolate.

I don't like the hot chocolate but I'll. do it. [Laughter]. and we're sitting waiting nothing. happening all day. I said. I feel like hot chocolate the other two. guys says well make enough for three of. us. so we we have ration bar chocolate bars. when they drop off rations you know and. we dice up that debug you ever see one.

Bittersweet and we talked I've chopped. it all up what we've got our canteen. water in there I better put a good batch. and let some demolitionary beautiful. nice blue fire. and it we sat and shot in the breeze. watching Keeping our eyes open looking. around. all of a sudden you could smell it it. smelled good then all of a sudden I. Heard a Voice hey Marine very good. chocolate you. chocolate O'Hare.

here come and get it oh no you bring. hair. did they come again be laughing. then they'd say. who said it down to us to heck with him. and get you home during chocolate bar. out. Don how long did it take you to fill up. or to heat up a glass of hot chocolate. being a flamethrower legit about 20 20. minutes to a half hour.

okay. all right. um. so we're getting close to towards the. end of the battle here and. there is a famous photograph of some. Marines lifting a flag up on iojima yeah. can you go into that a little bit. that flag uh going up.

that was never that was never in the. program that was never planned out not. as far as we were concerned on that and. we didn't know about putting the flag up. it just was never discussed. what happened was my Battalion Commander. Chandler Johnson a board ship on a. transport going to Saipan from Hawaii. he stayed up and up with the skipper of. the ship. and when we were getting raised in.

Parkway he said Colonel he said take. this flag he said and and give it to. give it see if he can get someone to put. it up for me I'd like to see that flag. go up whoever you can put it up. and so Johnson said okay I'll do that. he was I like my Battalion Commander he. knew me real well we got along real good. he put me the Break three times. sounds like a hell of a guy. insubordination that came in late from.

Liberty. well anyway he gave that to to Harold. schrey or Lieutenant schreyer that led. the patrol up. he just gathered some guys together when. they got up there they they shot a few. Japanese up they had a little Skirmish. up there but they they beat him and then. they. it's like I said last night that was. drain pipe that that flight was put on. and people don't know that but he had no. pole for a flight we didn't know.

anything about a flag going up on on the. mountain so they found this drain pipe. and they put it together and the. Japanese used it to get rain water down. in the cave Bureau because they did they. couldn't remake their water they they. couldn't purify it like we did we. purified our water so we always had. plenty of it. didn't taste too good but it was pure. and so he they got the flag all raked up. and well worked worst people fighting so.

we're walking right to the top. and when we get up to the crest and. stand there from here right here to that. wall. there it goes up. man it was a shock. and everybody saw that flag go up out in. the bay all those ships out there let go. in the air with tracers and Rockets and. our boys over on the North fighting with. the airstrip while we're doing a. throwback see they start opening up with.

traces it was just like a spectacle. infuriated the Japanese they fought. twice as hard. we put our flag on Japanese soil for the. first time in history. yep how far were you from that flag well. from here that picture on the wall about. 20 feet. what yeah 10 20 feet not 20 feet yeah. that's incredible what did that feel. like some say. just within a few feet they always do.

that they exaggerate yeah I'd say about. that distance right there what was the. conversation like as the flag was going. up nothing quiet. Dead songs they just backed off like. this but if you've seen the picture. you'll see when they get when they raise. it but they're going like this. but it was a shock to all of us but boy. when it went up and waved. gosh it was a glorious looking sight.

it was we conquered that Island cost. s. I would went up eight years later I went. up there. we rode up this time. around the back they got a road put up. and we stood there there's two flag. poles. beautiful poles Bronze Top. on the first pole is a Japanese flag and. this poem is the ball.

no flag. we looked at that. I think there were two or three of us. that fought up there. and. we said this makes me sick. and the gal that brought us said fellas. not to worry she got under a big duffel. bag and pulled out a flag that was about. five or six feet long we opened that. flag up and held it up and everybody.

took photographers took pictures of it. we put the frame back up there good. that was the end of that was that did. that uh signify the end of the the end. of that battle pardon when the flag went. up the first time. then it was over it was it was over on. Sir about she well not it was over on on. Oak on the on the mountain that was the. finish of the mountain. we still had the north to go.

a couple more things I heard a story. about you singing God Bless America. yeah and the Japanese wanted you to sing. it again. on the North End again. and we were we were sitting in the hole. and. they said Graves give us a song. and I said. oh you know I'm gonna do something I bet. you guys forget about and I said what's.

that God Bless America no we we heard. that so say it so I sang it and when I. got done there again I Heard a Voice. very good Singh you sing again and I. said no more singing he said okay. because we were afraid they might want. to sink in where we were at. by singing so I didn't repeat it you. didn't want to give up your location no.

not a bit. one last thing your Skipper Richard. Allen was wounded bleeding he got shot. correct that's it you're you're Skipper. Richard Allen yes sir my Skipper yo he. was shot. yeah going up to going towards surabachi. was this at the very beginning yeah the. very beginning as soon as we got off the. beach. Captain was a energetic he made.

paratrooper. they broke him up couldn't use them. and he he came through he came my. company Commander. but he waved his arms. even when we maneuvered he would wave. his arm get that Patrol going it's. always well they're looking at him. almost I'm surprised but I told him one. time we were training Skipper you're. going to get hit because you're real. even your arms around. and he's not uh I've done that before.

well that guy up on suribachi sure took. him. and hit him right in the crotch oh man. right in the garage. and he was bleeding. I said skip you can't lose much more bro. we got to get you down on the beach get. out of here get up there oh he was mad. no sir you're good we're gonna drag you. down on a poncho. I didn't go because I had my friends. over. but a few of the guys did and they got.

him they got him down and then came back. and he I don't know what happened but 45. years later I saw him well we had a. great time together it was a in San. Antonio we had a reunion 45th reunion. and he came. 45 years later 45 years later we had a. reunion. we don't have many more we don't have. enough men to have one that's all gone. but he I was so glad to see him and you.

know I I couldn't believe that he went. through that he said he was fine and but. uh just what two years later we died of. cancer oh man yes cancer set in. and that's a good way to followed him to. hell and back. that's what we thought about him. did you have any questions for him when. you saw him 45 years later. poden did you have any questions for him. when you saw him 45 years later a few.

things you know yeah. yeah did you happen to ask him why he. made you a flamethrower one of the. smallest guys. why did you put that friend through on. my back Skipper he said Graves you're. here aren't you. hey I know what he's I know what he. meant sure. well done your unit started with 335. Marines. and left with only 18 for marojima in my.

company you were the only surviving. flamethrower from the unit you didn't. sleep brush your teeth change your socks. for six weeks. I I I I when we got back and started. training again with new men. I taught the flamethrower. I was the only one that taught the. flamethrower. and I couldn't get these kids to pick it. up they wouldn't put it on.

and for some reason or other they the. lieutenants were standing right there in. the platoon leaders and they wouldn't. say anything so there's something about. it that you can't force a man to use. something like that. he has to want to do it. because they banded that you know they. called that uh. gas same as gas and that yeah I know. they did I'm banned it you know in fact. I was actually going to bring that up in. the interview if do you know what they.

would do to a guy like me if I used a. flamethrower in combat today. I'd probably be in prison hmm. yeah it's crazy how things have changed. isn't it. but you have a quote. is the greatest Generation we fought. that battle so Americans would not be. speaking German and Japanese today. absolutely. you bet we said that too.

we'll be running around kids having. Japanese language we're Americans. so what was it like. he left Iwo Jima. come back home to the U.S. wasn't the same it wasn't it's never the. same. it is never the same even when I come. home after the war. it's diff totally different I I don't. know what there is about it. you know we've seen movies on that where.

Men return home you know and and he just. can't settle in they'd. he doesn't speak their language anymore. they sure don't know what he's talking. about you know. our convictions are different no I I. think that we were affected by we were. brainwashed. and that's what you have to be if you're. going to face the enemy you you get so. much training you should you know this. that it trains your mind of thinking you.

yield to him. that's the way it is kill or be killed. do everything you can to kill him or. he'll kill you. that's training. and that's what training is supposed to. do. you're different. it is that you don't love your family. it's just that they don't sympathize. with you you if you expect to get a. little pity from your family forget. about it. [Laughter]. you would think you'd get it. yeah.

well the war is over. everybody's going back to work now. you're getting rid of War assembly. did that bother you. yeah really. no it's not not really. well Don a lot of veterans today have. problems readjusting back into civilian. life. how did you what were what were your. struggles adjusting back into civilian. life back then uh I have to tell you.

this. this post. traumatic stress yes stress. we never had that. I don't every now and then at least four. of us would get together that far from. Detroit. we made it back and summer replacements. and we never had that we got together. and talked on Marine stuff over again. passed it over again.

we couldn't adjust because. we were thinking different you know our. lives were you know they had four years. of us. and they brainwashed us. might as well might as well admit it. everything was Marine Corps our talk was. all Marine talk I still use it. I would and another Marine will. understand what you're talking about too. you know but some of the stuff you. really bring up they know what you're. saying you'll never forget it it's a.

brainwash but it's got to be that that's. training trained to kill the enemy. hate him. and so you you carry that stuff with you. but but it's I I will say just I guess I. had a couple of nightmares. after I was home for a week or two my. mother said that she had to wake me up I. said you did she said yeah you were born. and groaning and yelling.

and then she said who's such and such. I said well why you ask that because you. have a villainous name out. [Laughter]. what was the name. and then I knew who she was talking. about. so I might have been doing that you know. yeah. but it didn't last long that's all we. had but but you just have to calm down. and adjust to people these are different. people they're your people your family.

the Marine Corps had you for four years. did they have a lot of questions for you. no they they're afraid to ask questions. what about your what about your father. now my dad didn't say much no. was he proud of you yeah. when he was drinking he'd sit down with. my brother my brother was in the Navy. he got a little after me. and he'd we'd talk more war stuff when.

he was drinking. sober you weren't talking you wouldn't. you wouldn't carry a conversation. I could never understand him my my. brother went right after him and died. what do you mean Alcohol Tobacco all. that stuff. he just went right at it my young my. oldest boy. started smoking got on reads dope. alcohol.

everybody loved that guy. um just ruined his life. died. in the Army he went in the Army for two. years and he hand him up because he got. in a fist fight drunk and they busted. his spleen who was Us My Son Your Son. may have said same oldest boy. yeah and after he got out. he just he went right at it.

oh I'm sorry to do a thing with him. I talked to people who knew what they. were going to leave him alone John you. can't make him do it you'll just drive. him further you just can't it's an. unfortunate thing you just hope that. he'll grow a lot of it but he didn't. I was in the ministry at the time when. that happened. the preacher my boy in jail I had to go. get him go talk to him try and get him. out.

I went to court when they summaged him. they gave him three weeks in in jail. they said the judge suspended the fine. here I am I'm sitting there the attorney. said we have his mother and father here. with us today and the the judge said. hello the folks and well. and I would I don't think they judge.

that but people were looking to say you. should take care of your son what the. heck went around. hahaha. I can't do anything about her he picks. his company. he picks it I always tell them I've told. my grandsons don't follow anybody. pick your company. pick someone that you agree with don't. go following people around because they.

say it's a good thing to do. yeah. but every war you have look at Vietnam. it's affected a lot of them. don't go fighting. that's the last of the Jungle fighting. desert no. yes do you have any.

advice. for. the men and women coming home for more. today. fourth number for the men and women. coming home from war today. do you have any advice for them you know. it would depend on what they've done. what they've seen. what they had to do you know so it's. very difficult that way and that. fighting today is not the way we fought. it's.

and I and I've talked to these kids I. speak to them every now and they had no. incentive to fight. they they know what are we doing we. they'll still fight when we leave here. I mean it it so they've been it's been. going on for 2 000 years for his. mistakes. just read the Old Testament. Arabs. Arabian countries trying to take a One. Tribe over another.

they don't get along they never will. so I it depends what kind of a better. notes China. I'll tell you the next war is for China. I tell you right out flat right now and. something's going to happen we might. wake up some morning and find out what's. going on because I know he's going to. try something with that Navy they're. bragging about that maybe. and that Air Force they don't have much. of an Air Force we've got an Air Force. we got a good one.

I've got a. Major General. he's a buddy of mine and he's he's a. Cracker Jack he said uh I can't tell you. too much but I will tell you this we. have got the error for us. well that's good to hear. so what did you do when you got home for. more pardon what did you do when you got. home from war from the war yeah.

well you have a few bucks you know. Michigan gave every veteran returning to. whom 750 check. I went and bought a car. what kind of thing cost me twice as much. for 1475 for a 1941 Club Coupe 4 which. sold for 750 dollars. that's brand new. they had us before they stuck it to us.

I'm telling you we all went on bought. cars we paid right through the nose. when did you start the ministry. that happened. um let's see well I can tell you it was. maybe May 15 1954 I was at a Billy. Graham meeting. and I I was converted there my wife and. I. and then I got I got back when we got.

back home and she got settled in again. I uh I met five men from the geddings. international. and they wanted me to become a Gideon. and I did that became the state chaplain. for Wisconsin really for a couple of. years but after that why uh I really. wanted to get into Bible teaching so I. had an opportunity to take a church. I've had five churches and let's see. five churches and I spent uh 29 years in.

the ministry 32 doing Christian work wow. I still speak in churches two weeks ago. I had one. yeah what do you speak about I speak. about the Bible I teach the Bible. I speak up on what our lives should be. from what it was if that need be. do you have a favorite verse huh do you. have a favorite verse absolutely name 1.

7. the Lord is good the stronghold in the. day of trouble. and he knoweth them to trust in him. he knew what I was doing. all those nine years. that he said to me. it's time. and I went through all that all of that. he was God is patient. one day with the Lord is as a thousand.

years and a thousand years has one day. he doesn't care. it doesn't have a clock we have the. clock. did you. did you struggle with alcohol at all. when you got home I never struggled with. but I knew that the first time I got. into alcohol. it was for I was a Christian.

uh. I know I'm not really I. I was a party drinker I'm still a party. drinker I don't drink too much two. drinks of mine I'm it depends on who. you're with I may go to a third one but. two is my that's my limit. I know what it can do I've been there. yeah I've seen my family I've seen my. sons. I say my aunt and uncles. so I mean.

when her when her and I go to meetings. and that or something or every now and. then we'll we'll have a chalice wine I. like I like a high ball. we'll have two drinks a piece from Bingo. that's it. where did you meet your wife huh where. did you meet your wife it was funny. um. my buddy was a we grew up together. animal Wells he went off to uh seagull.

in Marine. bought a battleship South Dakota. he was on that during the war. and. I didn't know Chuck my wife's brother he. was a friend of Ellen but I didn't know. him but after the war he he all of us to. all three were in the core. for some reason or another her brother. was dismissed from the Marine Corps I. don't know why I never did find out you.

never talked about it. and so. he had he had gone through boot camp and. spent a few months in regular service. and something happened I don't know what. it was I never did find out but Alan he. went through the war he went through the. last two and a half years of the war. these both of them were younger than me. and so at Chuck and I used to go out and. we go out on Saturday night go to dance. as a roller skate we do all that stuff. together he never told me he had a. sister.

so Wendy's come on with me I got to go. home change clothes. so I went with him. he had the car and. I sat in the front room and in comes. this girl. who's 17 at the time. come home from work. I quit school. and. I looked at her and she looked at me and. all of a sudden she started rolling her. eyes at me.

she almost did that tried to get me you. know try talk me into things you know. you know how women are. it's. [Laughter]. I should try you know Johnny had a cute. sister he says you didn't ask me if you. do I have to ask don't you love your.

sister. anyway we dated and dated dated. we got married. if after five years we finally started. having children and we had a four in a. row four in a row one two three four how. many boys how many girls and two boys. yep. but I suffered a lot for all those years. and I when I say that I I don't I'm not. saying that she shouldn't have been.

pitted and felt sorry for. I didn't know what was wrong with that. woman but it was strange we'd be packed. up going on vacation we get out of town. she said well what are we doing. I said we're going on vacation I don't. want to go I'm gonna go home. kids to start a crime. I I went through there for 72 years. oh wow when she died. uh I don't even want to go but she just. fell apart.

she had a lot of like four kids heart. trouble uh all kinds of trouble her. arteries were so plaqued and so bad that. it it wasn't getting blood through. it wasn't all cholesterol and so when he. did four bypass he had to use her veins. he couldn't use the arteries. and so you know how much blood she got. it so her pulse rate would drop drop.

drop they put a monitor on that didn't. work. he died well I walked in the terror the. nursing home I had her in for six months. at her nursing home and they were. working with her. I said what's going on Shiva done she. said she passed away this morning she. fell down we were giving her a shower. and she just passed out in the. wheelchair. and we couldn't bring her to I don't. think her she said she's not even. pumping 40 on the pulse rate oh man and.

so if she's not going to go through the. night. so I said well she'd been wanting to go. and there was no good laying in bed like. that. well my kids my my daughters came and we. sat. and my son was working my other boy and. uh. she about two o'clock the next day she. took her last breath boom I said that's. it she's gone. you know I never understood then the. nurse is done can you come down to the. station I want to talk to you I said.

sure. and I walked down and she said the. doctor and I interviewed Rebecca. we found out something and did you know. that she was bipolar. Alzheimer's. I said no I never ever thought about it. but that explains why is these disrupts. she was all these disruptions you know. you make plans then she changes them.

because that's what they do. but she said she's definitely had. bipolar. I said well thanks for telling me. because that helps out a lot I don't. blame her for anything. I think of her when we did the good. things the good times that was it. poor girl she just. and she had low self-esteem my son took. it from her.

low self-esteem. he threatened to kill herself several. times oh man she never went through with. it though. I had a 22 caliber. beautiful pistol. holster everything. I got it for 25 bucks. brand new in those days. back in the 50s. I don't know what that cost no but. anyway.

I went off did a lot of squirrel hunting. with it I had a lot of fun with it. I kept it as a security in the house. she came in the office with me we. managed the 60 unit HUD housing project. for seniors. that was after I left the ministry just. something to make money. and I don't know if she had whatever. spells again and she's you know Don. sometimes you get me so bad I want to. find that gun and shoot myself in the. head. she went shopping I went in and got the.

gun out. I said that's coming out of the out of. the apartment. and I took it down to the office and hit. at the desk. well then the the elevator man came in. and we got to talking on. he's a nice guy and we talked a little. bit I told him I said I had a little. scare and I said. I took it out of the apartment I've got. at my desk right now I'm afraid she. might just go through with it and an.

empty gun is no good. is you want to sell it I sold it till. for 25 dollars. regarded to this day. but I thought I had to so I did. how long was your wife in the nursing. home oh six months six months how often. was it a vegetable twice a day. and she couldn't notice that she didn't. know who I was it was terrible I'd walk.

and see who are you. I said I'm your husband I don't have a. husband you get out of here. next day I come in she say hi honey. it's crazy. you never know what to expect so that. head nurse called me over one day and. she was right she's done are you crazy. I said why why do you come in here twice. she doesn't even know what you're doing. I wonder if you just come in once a day. and see how she's doing you don't have.

to do this all you do is feel sorry and. bad when you leave that way and she was. right I developed high blood pressure. I've I've never had high blood pressure. my entire life. I was sitting I felt good. they were taking. um. her test her blood pressure just before. things were very critical and I never I. hadn't I I hadn't had a blood test for a. good over a year so I said would you. mind taking much or no I'd like to so.

she took my my blood pressure. and she when she's looking at it she. looked up at me says you need a doctor. now you're over 200. you need a doctor go now. I said with Sarah they're not open go to. the emergency I went the emergency told. him what I wanted and then he sat me. around for a while finally they called. me and the director what's the problem I. told him he said what do you think Scott. he said you ever have I said I've never.

had high blood pressure never he said. what do you think might have done that. and I told him about my wife he said. that'll do it. lay down we'll get that done and they. got it down. gave me you put me on the lisinopril one. of the first little pink ones a little. it keeps keeps it checked so I've been. on them ever since but the VA puts you. on blood pressure when you're when. you're about 70. they put you on blood. pressure pills.

you ask them why and they'll say keep. [ __ ] from having a stroke. so I'm still on them blood pressure is. beautiful I have a good blood report. this is the only problem right there my. legs that's the only problem I have. let's talk about the ministry a little. bit. is that the. first thing that you did after war that. you really liked to do I said that over. again what let's talk about your. ministry real quick you did the ministry.

29 years of ministry with your wife yeah. and five churches you opened correct. you opened five churches. I served five churches yes but I I had. seven years in the gospel Rescue Mission. in Tucson Arizona I taught was their. Pastor on that. I I just kept working you know did you. enjoy that a lot I loved it. I loved it yeah.

I really did. I don't have a home Church in Texas. because they're all mega churches big. Mega. there are some Bible churches. but it's not my style it's not what we. did. what's different today. they have entertainment. you want an entertainment go to church. I'm talking about Bible churches. you'll get all the entertainment you. want. saying kids are up there in their in.

their knees sticking out of their. overalls and they're just drumming away. on the guitarist and everything having a. lot of fun the girls are given with a. microphone in their hand watch that. that's no that's not what we're there. for we're there to learn the Bible. witness to people. that's what that's what it should be for. you want to be on routine go to a. theater. that's the way I feel. do you still do it.

still do it yep whenever I can. I was asked to come to a Bible Church up. in Madison or Madison uh just to tell. them north north of me. and we had a banquet there they had a. family get-together so I spoke saying. I had a good time yeah. I still like to be with the people of. God you know I love the Lord. I'm not perfect but then I'm so happy.

the Bible says None perfect no not one. all have come short of the glory of God. some people think they're good. they're no good nobody else. all have sinned and come short of the. glory of God. I gotta tell you a cute one. had a man in my church my first church. we became good friends.

and he and his wife they had four. daughters. and girls will be girls just like boys. will be boys. so we had to go away for a weekend and. his wife said let her have to stay with. my girls they'll enjoy one another and. go ahead and go so I did when we came. back somehow this came up I said well. Charles told me that he and his wife. never have a crossword. this is Daddy that's not true I was.

there they fought. I never told him I knew. I said no wait a minute what do you mean. for well they're arguing. he told me they never had a crossword. he's a liar that means he's not perfect. [Laughter]. well Tom we had a.

we had a lot of conversations last night. at dinner. and about the direction the country's. going when last night you mean yeah yeah. last night we had a lot of conversations. about the direction of the country. you don't seem to approve where we're. headed Odin you don't seem to approve. where our country's headed. we're nowhere. we're nowhere the people are nowhere. we're not together. word or Miss where did you have poor.

leadership. and those that say they're not that way. are following along anyway to keep them. arguing. where did you see the country changed. when when did I see a change when did it. start oh oh for the worse. I think. that I saw this happen say around the. 60s. right in around the 60s. 50s was still good.

50s were pretty good. Bella Graham's going hot and heavy with. his evangelism. but something happened I. we started sticking our nose in other. buddy else's business and killing our. boys. Vietnam. Vietnam you name them all Afghanistan. stay the heck up we don't belong in that. place. the Arabs will never get along with. anybody all they've ever did was.

throughout their generation would fight. fight they fought Israel. and God saved Israel. it's gonna it's not going to stop. it it's it's bad. we've got a man that sympathizes with. all sorts of things that we would not. agree with he's the president for krano. Lord he doesn't care. he blames Trump for everything that's.

going on now he's an imbecile. something's wrong with his head. that man is sick and they should not let. him remain president. Democratic party if they're any kind of. a decent like it used to be a good. working man's party. then they would have said you need a. hospital you cannot be president anymore. that's it. they don't care they don't love America. anymore they don't love America.

now the Republicans say they do but. they're cowards two or three May villain. their best to speak up they gave up and. they're not saying a word no. what do you think it's going to take to. fix the country to fix the country. probably another battle. what kind of battle Another War. Navy with China. you think that'll bring people together.

you know it depends just how the war was. it just depends on how the war goes. well we're a strange kind of people. we're free people. all we're going to do is see other. countries travel around the world even. though we have a bunch of culpits. leading the country we're still free. by gosh I'm telling you right now we are. losing our democracy we've lost being a.

republic that's gone we used to tell the. government. because we paid them. now they tell us and we still pay them. you ever hear of family you give me a. job but I'll tell you what I'm going to. do. I know what you mean. uh we're in bad shape and the schools. aren't doing anything about it either. though they're running if they're. Running Scared.

yes. we have no real and you know our. veterans that have come from and and I. don't blame them these are political. Wars these are not. honorable Horrors. none of them ever want to affect if not. none of us been one. even Korea we stopped at the what do you. call them. at the parallel wherever it was that's. where it ended right there they. outnumbered us. massive Chinese told us to get off the.

island some evacuation Marines dropped. their weapons for the first time in. history and got a board ship. ordered. we just don't keep our nose in our own. affairs. we don't need any help if we could be. the nation we once were. you know what fighting is we've had to.

do it our history tells us that. we had it with the French we had it with. Britain. yeah. do you think we'll ever get back to the. end of what your generation was like in. the 40s I don't know I sure hope so I. don't think I'll see it. I don't think I'll see it not in this. five six years.

a serious business and we've got to be. thinking about it in the schools aren't. doing anything about it at all they're. confused I get in there and the teachers. they're just putting their time in. collecting the money. what are they going to do they went to. college to learn to be a teacher what. are they going to do where are they. going. let's wrap this up on a podcast let's. wrap it up. what does it mean to you to be an.

American. what does it mean to me to after. everything you've seen you're 98 years. old you were born you went through the. Great Depression you went through World. War II you've seen the country I mean. uh you have a hundred view a hundred. year View. of the Journey of this country. if with everything you've experienced. what does it mean to you to be an. American today.

I don't say it was in vain. some of the stuff we had to do. but probably the way we went about doing. it. I don't foresee any help I I don't see. any changes any real desire to change. we're too busy making money. we're too busy wanting material thing. we're material crazy.

we've got so much material things we. don't know where to put us in the attics. in the garage look at the you go down. our street where I live garages are open. when they open them up the car sits. outside in the weather the the walls. touching the stuff that's in the garage. and they're still getting more. do you know that people I drove a school. bus before I came it came this way. I had some time and I volunteered to run.

a bus for a few months. did I ever get an education. where kids really are. there's one boy here's an example. he gets out on the morning. good morning buddy uh. okay I drive on. evening school's over. so long pal. uh audios goes to the mailbox and gets.

the mail out. which is up above the door and grabs the. key and goes in the house what does he. do when he gets in that house there's. nobody there. what does he do. who knows. he can you understand whether suicide. with teenagers today. because Ma's not there. she's not home anymore. don't worry about it kids you go to.

McDonald's we'll go off for dinner. Saturday. I go to a restaurant Saturday and Sunday. that place is packed school out in the. summertime they carry bread they bring. cup they have credit cards high school. kids they use credit cards in that. restaurant. and we wonder why they're not thinking. seriously of what our country is doing. War was. Let It Go On by we're doing all right as.

long as they leave us alone just leave. us that's it. people don't like us. they they believe we're greedy conceited. people. we got too much we've been too fortunate. I have no doubt about that. do you know that have you been to Japan. I haven't. if you went there I'd get a good. education.

after the war. after everything calmed down. and the Bolsheviks were out of there. Japan started a new government. democratic. they are more democratic than we are. all you've got to do is go to that. country. I stopped off there for about five six. hours. going to Iwo Jima on a visit just to.

just to under tour. well. they meet you at the when you come into. the airport they have clerks women. dressed up beautiful in uniforms in the. men and they bow and they shake your. hand and they lead you to where you want. to go. that's the way they treat us. I was on that same trip. we're heading from from from California.

to Tokyo 12 hours we lose a day. tired lazy certain everything your. body's hurting it was awful cramped in. loaded with families it was break time. in March Japan here American Sarah back. and forth. there was a family sitting there. right over there and there was one seat. empty and I I'd like to I wanted to get.

acquainted with them I did it so I got. up and I had this cap on. I sat down next to the little girl and. she smiled to me and I smiled at her and. the mother lean forward the father was. sleeping the mother leaned forward like. that she said. you. Iwo Chima I said yes ma'am. she turned like this and woke her. husband up and he goes um.

what was happening she said like that. and he leaned like that over and he. looked at me and he said yo an Iwo Jima. I said yes sir. that's what he gave me. great. we killed 22 000 just on Iwo Jima of. those of their boys. they could have more than us but I mean. that's what we killed why would he have.

done that. I think he realized that they took they. lied to the people and said they were on. a holy war and they lost their boys on. these bat on those islands because their. own leaders lied to them well the. leaders got out and they turned like we. were Democratic and that's what they are. now they're more democratic than we are. no more will the will the group of. people run that country the people run. that country.

do you think we can get back to that. we could have the people wanted to. it's our country. we pay them their salary we can fire. them if we'll do it. no one will do it no. if if the bullies keep saying sit down. or a bunch you on the head you're gonna. sit down unless you say well no you're. going to bounce me on the head. oh yeah. but it ended and I talked to a lot of.

people a lot of people don't agree with. me they think that's starting Wars. I think a lot of people do agree with it. they do. they don't want to do they look at. Russia right now. Putin doesn't scare me at all he's got. his hands he doesn't know what the heck. to do no they're trying to arrest him. now he's got his Bolsheviks fighting. them they've got something going on in. the country now. because he attacked them and do you know.

that Biden just sent three thousand of. our boys. over there why. I'll tell you why because it's just like. everything else Afghanistan you name it. they're going to be in there entangled. in that thing and we're going to pay a. terrible price for it. yeah I don't know what it's going to. take. it's going to take the people. the people will have to run our country. again.

we have to elect put in unless God. fearing men to run our country like we. used to have. that's what made us such a great nation. I see that's what you learned and we. learned in school. these kids don't know what you're. talking about. you know what you're talking about I. wish I could have seen those days. I hope my son sees them. yeah. we gotta love her a country again.

breaks my heart. me too Don. me too. ah. sit down take it easy don't kiss a dog. got excited. well how about we end this. with a message from you.

on what the American flag means. it's one thing for me to in. and we did something tonight that I. don't normally do because I'm not asked. to do it. it's not that I don't want to it said I. just I just want any more trouble in my. hands and maybe it's not the proper. place. you know what do I think about the. country what do you think should happen. about it uh don't talk about those.

things. all you do is start problems. you know. Republicans Democrats. I spoke at our own roll call. and we had a great crowd. and a couple got up. over there and started walking out I. said folks are you living we didn't come. here to hear politics I never talked. about anybody I talked about getting her.

caught them straightened out and let's. talk about politics. I said sorry. a fellow cellular Senator low voice. don't let the door bang you when it went. out. said to him. [Laughter].

oh gosh well all I can do is do what I. do I know I have to do and and just wait. and see what happens and. say well God I did the best I could yeah. I don't go out and speak and I don't I. didn't do it here tonight today. just to hear to be talking to be heard. you know a mad Center and I.

General mad dog medicine Madison. he and I had a lot of good talks we. appeared at Marine Corps ball and he was. speaker and I was singer. and because I'm from the old core of the. year. we were the new car but I the old core. taught us now I'm talking to the new. court I'm the old core. but but he's he he we got it on so darn.

good he said you know he says he's not. face Young Marines he says it's not face. submarines you can't talk to him he'll. listen to you he was he had a he had a. pity party going on. but he's the one that told Donald Trump. about me because that's where Donald but. Donald Trump sent me that bro I thought. that was good what did he send you huh. what did he send you oh what did I tell. you about her no oh Donald Trump sent me.

a birthday greeting no beautiful I got. it I got it up right on my display. well the male the the mail rang or the. door rang and my daughter went and got. the mail yet Hey listen to express mail. from Washington D.C. so I said go ahead open it up so she. opened it up she said oh my gosh dad. what she gave it to me here it was a in. a frame a beautiful.

Washington. certified document. and Donald J Trump cited said dear. brother Graves. and he talked it was beautiful I got a. copy of it in the car. I use this I right away I run and get us. a substitute copy you know so I can show. people but the other ones on the wall. good. I thought that was nice of him but then.

I said to her the kids I said Trump. doesn't know me. then I said wait a minute Mad Dog. Secretary of Defense. [Laughter]. well done I could say to my friends. Trump Centralia we're good friends. [Laughter]. well done.

I just want to thank you for coming. hello thanks for the invitation right. right Kelly are you awake if you were. sleeping. you didn't hear me did you not at all. sir but. um I just want to say again it was a. real honor to have you sitting here and. and. there's not a lot of you guys left from. the greatest Generation that this. country has ever seen the World War II. veteran generation and.

um. this just means the world to me thank. you for being here no it's my pleasure. and we've enjoyed every bit of it and. I track it down there's another one of. our good meetings. I hope to see you again yep yep and Don. I know you're a singer. do you want to end this with a certain. song huh do you want to end this thing. in a certain song sure.

should we do God God Bless America let's. do it. Kelly you're gonna sing with me yes sir. all right better I'll go back there and. and scold you. thanks thank you. God Bless America. learn that I love. stand beside her and guide her through.

the night with the light from above from. the mountain. to the Prairie to the ocean away before. God God Bless America. [Applause]. my home sweet oh.

God God Bless America. my home sweet. oh. I've added something that when I sing I. know I just want to do it. oh man America. [Music].

[Laughter]. beautiful beautiful. God bless America yep and God bless you. Don oh he has thank you I don't deserve. everybody has. [Music].

hey everybody I'm Sean Ryan click here. to subscribe to the Sean Ryan Show. YouTube channel for the hottest and most. compelling interviews that you will not. see anywhere else I've also made a. playlist of all the previous SRS. episodes so they're easy to find you can. find that. right here.