What does Veterans Day mean to me?

On Dec. 7, 1941, we turned on the radio to listen to “One Man’s Family”, a Sunday night ritual at our house.

We didn’t hear the program that night, instead we heard the news that Pearl Harbor had been bombed. We could not believe what we were hearing.

We were given instructions to cover all windows so no visible light showed through. No lantern to walk to the barn. No flashlight. No car lights. Total darkness crossed the country side.

We lived about 50 miles from the mouth of the Columbia River at Astoria, Ore. There were rumors of submarines in the river. At that time, Highway 30, a two-lane road, was the only direct way from Portland to Astoria and Fort Stevens.

Our school bus passed under the Longview Bridge approach before reaching Highway 30. That morning, Dec. 8, our bus was stopped by armed soldiers who had already arrived from Fort Lewis to inspect each vehicle traveling under or over the bridge.

We arrived at school to find the gymnasium filled with soldiers. They slept there for several nights until other arrangements were made.

Within the week, all the children riding the buses to school were assigned host homes in case of attack. We had air raid drills.

We were at war. Our life changed. I was 10 years old and scared to death.

There were never any submarines in the river. Later, in June 1942, a Japanese submarine fired on Fort Stevens, which protected the Oregon side of the Columbia River. There was no damage. It was a reminder that the war was on our doorstep.

Because of the impressions of those first days of the war, I have always been a flag waver.

My husband served as a Marine in Korea. He stayed in the reserves after being discharged. His fellow reserves members started a drum and bugle group. Our children followed the group to small town parades while their dad played his heart out on the bugle. They grew up with patriotic marches and the correct way to salute the flag and always stand for the Marine Corps Hymn.

For the past three years, I have been involved with the Auburn Veterans Day Parade and the display presented by Wesley Homes.

Again this year, I will be on the street corner clapping and encouraging our Veterans.

– Karolyn Smith