Hello Friends and Family,
On October 25, 1944, my grandfather’s ship (USS Johnston DD-557) succumbed to her mortal wounds and was sunk in the largest Naval battle in history.
There were several other ships that sunk, and many soldiers had lost their lives in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It was a battle that took the US by surprise and the casualties were high on both the Japanese and American sides. There were over 3,000 total losses on the US side, and 12,500 total losses on the Japanese side.
The stories that my grandfather, Clarence Trader, would share with us were filled with tears, gratitude and humility for his lost comrades. He had experienced something that he never wished on anyone, and was scarred from the shrapnel that was still encased in his leg, along with the emotional and physical problems he experienced as a result of the explosions.
His ship had sunk, and he was in the open ocean with other bleeding and dying soldiers. Not only was he witnessing shark attacks, saltwater-induced delirium, and men dying from their injuries, but his own survival was highly in question.
He had a friend tie him to one of the few rafts they had left, because he was falling in and out of consciousness and started to drift away. They were floating in the ocean for several days before anyone would come and rescue them.
I could tell that they had gone through something that I would, most-likely, never encounter or see in my lifetime. I could feel the profound loss that he had experienced was as fresh in the present as it was 65 years ago (when he would share with me).
It gave me a sense of deep respect for the cost of sacrifice in battle. I knew that he could’ve just as easily succumbed to his injuries, or all of the other perilous elements that his fellow servicemen were exposed to.
I’d like to share some of his recollections with you, as I interviewed him in October of 2012 before he passed away the following year.
The Courage of a Gunner – Part 1https://youtu.be/Hi47hFb2ZTY
My grandfather’s respect and sensitivity to what happened has always been a part of our family’s legacy. Not to mention, my father, Ron Trader, served in the military in Vietnam.
It is part of what motivates me to fully take advantage of the freedom we have been given, and the many blessings we are able to enjoy.
It’s one of the reasons I’ve decided to take advantage of the opportunity I have to go into business for myself, and to help others in their journey.
The sacrifice is real, and the freedom was truly defended and fought for. How could I be nothing less than grateful?
So with that, I am grateful to be in your service and live in a country where we are free!
I will fight in my own way to preserve our freedom and continue to be more and more aware of ways I can maximize the opportunities I have been given.
As we observe Memorial Day, please have a safe and memorable time with your friends and family, and remember that everything good we enjoy has come at a cost.
To those who have sacrificed all for many, we honor you!
Gratefully,
Ryan Trader
Loan Officer – NMLS# 1948061
CalState Realty Services (DRE #01821025)