Terry Sympson of Jackson Hill Park and Marina reports that Crappie Fishing for Veteran's program. which operates from Jackson Hill Marina had the distinct honor and pleasure of taking local 97 year old WWII Veteran Bill Morgan and his son Randy fishing on August 12th.
The day was beautiful and everyone caught fish, CFV Guide Donnis Adams had already set out some markers and before too long Bill hooked the first white perch of the morning, however it was one of our most memorable days not because of the number of fish caught, but by spending the day listening and talking with Bill and Randy about their family history in East Texas and of course Bill's experience in World War II as he and the rest of "The Greatest Generation" saved the world.
While the United States effort paid a terrible price with the lives of 400,000 Americans sacrificed, the rest of the world lost a staggering 60,000,000 people to an evil that young men and women like Bill faced, fought and conquered.
Bill Morgan from Broaddus spent World War II serving in the South Pacific both in Iwo Jima and Okinawa. As a B-29 bomber mechanic with the Air Force on the island of Iwo Jima he served a vital role in helping to save the lives of reportedly more than 24,000 Airmen as the only safe landing site for damaged planes shot up while flying missions over Japan. Bill was nearly killed by a snipers bullet as he tried to repair planes that by that time had seen better days.
The Japanese were set on fighting to the death. Our sacrifices were staggering as we marched towards mainland Japan one island at a time, Iwo Jima was one of the toughest battles of WWII.
Twenty seven Medals of Honor (our country’s highest military award for bravery) were awarded for action on Iwo Jima more than any other battle in U.S. history. In thirty six days of fighting on the island nearly 7,000 U.S. Marines were killed. Another 20,000 were wounded. Securing Iwo Jima prepared the way for the last and largest battle in the Pacific: the invasion of Okinawa where Bill Morgan was then sent to keep our bombers in the air by all means possible. The battle of Okinawa saw 12,500 U.S. Army, Marines and Airmen killed in action and almost 78,000 Japanese. It was these staggering losses that prompted the United States decision to drop the Atomic Bomb on Japan instead of attempting to invade the mainland.
"We must never forget what they did and our children must be taught this history to understand the price of freedom and the liberties that we all so casually enjoy."
If you would like to know more about Crappie Fishing for Veterans you can contact Jackson Hill Marina at 936-872-9266 or go to facebook crappiefishingforveterans. Outdoor Freedom Network manages outdoor programs including CFV and can be contacted by going to www.outdoorfreedom.net. OFN is a 501 (c) (3) public charity operating from Jackson Hill Marina on Lake Sam Rayburn.
