Letter to the Editor – Dan Topolewski

Dear Editor,

With a quick nod in deference to the current battle being waged in your letters, I have to say that our family NEVER got along with anybody.  My GGG-grandfather fought in the Revolutionary War (and I have a piece of timber from the USS Constitution – launched shortly thereafter – that my uncle brought home from working on her at the Boston Navy Shipyard).  One GGG-uncle fought in the Civil War (and I have his discharge papers framed and on display).  My mom’s dad was in the Army in Europe in “The War to End All Wars,” and we have many of his trinkets from that war, including among them, his uniform, dog tags and his English/French conversation manual.  

My dad, my mom’s two brothers, and her sister’s husband were sailors in the SECOND “War to End All Wars,” and I have dad’s ship discharge papers framed and on display as well. My wife’s father was a sailor in a little “police action” to stem the Red Tide and keep them away from Seoul, and followed up that duty with action in another “Police Action” to stem the Red Tide and keep them from Saigon.  

My sister was a Navy nurse stationed at Marine Base Camp Lejeune, NC from 1970-72. One of my brothers graduated from the Naval Academy in 1974, and was a sailor after his graduation. Finally, the family got some respect, and I joined the Marines when I graduated from USNA in 1978, as an F-4 Radar Operator.

And now, our son finally finished his “Battle Stations” final exam this week at the Navy Boot Camp, Great Lakes, Ill., and will be joining the U.S. Navy after his graduation on April 16. We couldn’t be prouder of him. As an aside, one of my sons-in-law was in the Air Force, and so to close the loop in our family, all we need is a “Coastie.” Go Navy! Beat Army!

Dan Topolewski

Kathleen, Ga.

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