Editor, Gazette-Journal:

Maybe it’s a part of aging, when your life slows down enough that you have time to listen to the voices of the past. Maybe it is an event, like the one a couple of weeks ago honoring the World War II vets, particularly those of Mathews and the men of the U.S. Merchant Marine. Whatever the reason, the voices of my dad and his shipmates from the USS Yorktown CV-5 and the battleship West Virginia came loud and insistent to my ears. Tell them this! What about this! Don’t forget that! Remember! Remember! Remember!

So many voices from watery graves, from survivor reunions, from books and movies and armchairs, from those dwindling and precious few still with us. So many voices it was impossible to sort, to absorb, to hear. What??? What do you want me to say?!! Remind them of your moments of sheer terror? Of the shock of explosions rocking the ships you held dearer than loved ones at home? Of the awesome pride shared in victories, temporarily satisfying t...