I have shared many memories here on It’s Just Life over the years. One of the things that I have the great fortune of having possession of is a huge tote filled with pictures and documents from my parents. Actually it is two totes and some loose items but the one tote is filled with things that meant something to my parents.

A couple years ago I was looking through them and found a couple of letters that were addressed to my dad after he had served in the United States Navy. My brother, Mark, had mentioned that they would be neat to have framed with his discharge papers and although it took me a couple of years to get that done I finally did it. I sent it to Mark for his birthday and am so happy that he now has this wonderful piece of history.

While it is difficult to photograph the finished product you get the idea. Dragonfly Framing in Brevard did the most perfect job and did exactly as I wanted the items to be framed. He even included a pocket on the back to to put the letter that I chose to not include in the frame .

Since it is difficult to read the letter without enlarging this picture a great deal I thought I would include the text below written August 6, 1948:

My dear Mr. Brown,

I have addressed this letter to reach you after all the formalities of your separation from active service are completed. I have done so because, without formality but as clearly as I know how to say it, I want the Navy’s pride in you, which It is my privilege to express, to reach into your civil life and to remain with you always.

You have served in the greatest Navy in the world.

It crushed two enemy fleets at once, receiving their surrenders only four months apart.

It brought our land-based AirPower within bombing range of the enemy, and set our ground armies on the beachheads at final victory.

It performed the multitude of tasks necessary to support these military operations.

No other Navy at any time has done so much. For your part in these achievements you deserve to be proud as long as you live. The Nation which you served at a time of crisis with remember you with gratitude.

The best wishes of the Navy go with you into civilian life. Good luck!

Sincerely yours,

James Forrestal

The Secretary of the Navy

The other letter from Brooke Schumm, Captain, U.S. Navy from the Bureau of Naval Personnel thanks my dad for his service as Yeoman in Charge of Enlisted Classification Supplies in the Enlisted Classification Section from 19 November 1945 until 12 July 1946. Not a long time in the service but service nonetheless.

I am so happy that Daddy saved these documents and that they are now permanently framed and in a place where they can be viewed and honored. These old documents have a very special place in our lives and remind us of those who have gone before.