Circa 1971 - The Downers Grover Reporter - local newspaper loved to honor our servicemen whenever they could. In this case they had my name, address and lineage correct but someone else's picture getting a well deserved hand shake. And while I was being transfered to Okinawa at that time it was to the 1st Hospital Company, 3rd Medical Battalion, 3rd Marines. Close but no cigar.
Terry Ernest August 18, 2021
It was a proud moment in the Kovarik household when the September, 1970 issue of Our Navy Magazine hit the news stands. Mom was so proud that she ordered several copies of the magazine and sent them to family and friends. I was overseas and unable to stop the embarrassing spread of war hero worship. Hello - I was 18, in Sasebo, Japan, sitting on a wooden raft along side our ship with 2 shipmates painting the anchor chain. It's not like I was being decorated for bravery or the like. Still, seeing your son in the newspaper or a magazine... in other than the prison section or the obituaries makes a family proud. Fortunately, by the time I was home again memories of this war time exploit were mostly forgotten.
Terry Ernest August 25, 2021
