Local veterans share the good, the bad, but not always the ugly

UPDATE: December 13, 2014

World War II veteran, Dan Daube, 90, featured in the Woodlands Online article published on the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, titled Local veterans share the good, the bad, but not always the ugly, was recognized at the Houston National Cemetery December 13, at the Wreaths Across America ceremony, by being given the honor of placing a wreath to commemorate the event. Read more about the Wreaths Across America project at Wreaths Across America arrives December 13.

ORIGINAL STORY:

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- With every anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, fewer survivors are on hand to commemorate and commiserate the “date which will live in infamy," said United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

If not for the Veterans History Project, the horrors of war would have passed away with the generation who fought and survived World War II. Many veterans choose not to discuss the worst they had witnessed. One veteran interviewed for the project reflected on why.

“If you thought about all the horrible things you had seen, you’d lose your mind,” said the veteran who wasn’t identified.

One local veteran shared his most memorable moment during his military service at the groundbreaking of the Veterans Memorial Monument in Town Green Park, where the sculpture, “The Way Home” will be installed.

“I was a naval correspondent and I had the opportunity to meet and get kissed by Marilyn Monroe,” said Paul Lazarro.

Likewise, when a group of local veterans met for dinner during the holidays, they shared their unique experiences and the funniest incidents, probably for comic relief. The group consisted of five veterans who represented every branch of service and all military campaigns spanning the 73 years since the attack on Pearl Harbor. Dinner conversation consisted of ‘war stories’ more about where they had traveled, their rank, ships served on, celebrities they saw in the USO shows, but not the horrors of war.

The oldest among them, Dan Daube, affectionately nicknamed “Abu Daube,” is unique among veterans in that he has served in every branch of the military service; an accomplishment he’s proud of. At ninety years of age, Daube relates in exact detail, where he served and what he enjoyed most about his years in the service, which spanned a considerable amount of time. To his credit, Daube joined the Navy in December of 1942, serving for the duration of the war, then enlisted in the Army and served in the Korean War, then in the Air Force during the Vietnam conflict. In civilian life he participated in the space program. Daube’s only regret is that he didn’t have the opportunity to serve in the Marine Corps too.

When asked about military campaigns (battles), the conversation was diverted to having seen Bob Hope’s USO show live, which always featured famous Hollywood starlets, and popular singers.

“I not only heard Frances Langford sing, I got to dance with her,” said Daube.

Daube then proceeded to show off his Jitterbug dances moves for those present.

This is typical of conversations with battle-weary veterans. The human brain has an amazing tendency to suppress painful memories, in much the same way women forget the pain associated with childbirth.

As our World War II veterans continue to age, it’s essential to document as much history about their exploits as possible, lest they take it with them. In conversation with veterans, it’s best to let them pick which exploits they choose to share, and if they should divulge some of the ravages of war, it may be because they feel the need to talk...we need to listen.