I write this on Pearl Harbor Day, December 7^th, a day that will live in infamy even after being eclipsed by another, even more deadly surprise attack on September 11^th.

In April of 1945, Bill Schrock participated in the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific Theatre of World War Two. The 82-day battle resulted in 100 thousand Japanese killed or captured. A few weeks later, the events at Hiroshima and Nagasaki precluded the invasion of mainland Japan, 340 miles from Okinawa.

So the atom bomb saved Bill Schrock’s life. He returned to Eliza, Illinois (population 400) where he lived peacefully for another half century. He retired to Florida where he was buried a week ago. In less than a week there will be a memorial service in Eliza.

Bill is Gary Schrock’s uncle. Gary is the Illinois PGR State Captain.

Thank you, Bill, for earning your membership in the Greatest Generation. Thank you, Gary, for continuing the Schrock family tradition, and the U.S. Army value, of selfless service.

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