| Message | My father, Jack L. Smith, was a USS Houston survivor. Recently I was going through some of my dad's Naval papers and was reminded of your website. Thank you for keeping their memories alive. My uncle, Leo Bird, was a Houston survivor too. He and my dad spent much of their POW time together.
They were both California boys, and when they were released and brought home to the U.S., they landed in New York. Having no family on the east coast, Leo found out that his sister, Doris, was in the Army and stationed at the Pentagon. He called her up and she came to the city to welcome him home. The first in the family to see him in nearly 5 years.
They went out on the town to celebrate his homecoming and that's when he introduced her to his buddy, Jack. A few dates later and it was off to Las Vegas to get married! My dad in his Navy uniform and my mom in her Army uniform. That was their wedding photo. It always reminded me of one of those 1940's movies.
My mother, Doris Smith, was an ardent supporter of the ex-pow and Houston organizations and went on several trips to Australia and the site of the railroad and prison camps. She passed away in 2005. I am very interested in what you are doing, and appreciate all your hard work and dedication.
Thank you. |