Saturday, January 17, 2009

Pearl Harbor Survivor Chats with Reverse Mortgage Guy

By Johnwahn Vanrock

This is not one of my typical articles. Usually, I'm attempting to educate the public about one aspect of the reverse mortgage.

Today we shall do something different. The reason is yesterday I spoke to an individual who absolutely made my day.

So you know why I'm so interested to write to you about this subject you should know a little tidbit about me. I'm 41 years old and am an avid history buff. Most particularly I hone in on post 1900 American history.

Well, I was in for some luck. I spoke to a gentleman for about an hour about getting a reverse mortgage.

Most was about business until he said something about where the Navy stationed him in 1949. Being a history guy I thought he probably served in the war. So, I asked.

He said, yes, he was stationed at Pearl Harbor the day of the attack.

You know how you have double take? I had a triple take. Wow! I'm talking to one of last remaining human beings with a first hand account.

Not only was he there but he was on the West Virginia when it was hit by seven torpedos. He said he looked out the port hole and could see them coming just before they hit.

Furthermore he was severely injured and piled in with the dead. I'm not sure how but the Navy listed him as deceased and informed his family as such.

His family even had a memorial service.

I have to admit I'm a bit of a skeptic and don't take everything at face value. So, i looked him up on the internet later. There he was. And the story was a spot on match.

I had to relate this story about an American Hero. It has absolutely nothing to do with reverse mortgages, but I think a great story anyway.

He was there and could give you a first hand account. He's also a dying breed, and it will be sad when he and those in his generation are gone.

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