My Step Dad Archie Kelley

Today is December 7th (well, now 8th by a few minutes)...Today my thoughts turn to  my Step Dad, Archie Kelley.

My Step Dad, Archie P. Kelley served his country well in the US Navy.  Since today is December 7th, the day the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, I thought I'd write about him.  Archie was stationed on a submarine at Pearl Harbor on that faithful day.  He was in the engine room, the officer in charge, and responsible for keeping things running.

When the bombing commenced, his submarine ended up at the bottom of the harbor.  Archie was faced with figuring out what compartments to flood to keep the sub from tipping over.  That meant closing doors with people on the other side.  When Archie describes it, tears still come to his eyes--and he is 92 years old.

Luckily, there was an uncharted exhaust pipe that lead from from the engine room to the surface.  Archie and his men climbed up that pipe to the surface.  And, I'm sure, what awaited them on the surface wasn't much better.

So this evening, I called my Step Dad--As I was listening to the phone ring I thought "Do I say happy Pearl Harbor Day?"...but, the minute he picked up I realized all I had to say was "Thinking about you on this terrible day...Thank You."