Veterans' Day may conjure up images of flying American Flags and smiling people singing the National Anthem for some civilians. But for one World War II veteran, the day is emotionally draining as he relives the war experiences he had.
Before he graduated high school, Jr. Rippy, 80, joined the U.S. Navy. He joined because he knew if he didn't he would be drafted and would have no choice about in which branch he would serve.
As an only son, Rippy didn't have to join the armed forces at all. He said he could have told officials he was the only living son in his family, and they would have let him go on his way.
But that wasn't something that was in his character.
"I wanted to go," he said.
The Drumright native didn't know where he was going, but he knew he wanted to fight for his country no matter what the cost. After spending the years 1942 to 1946 fighting overseas and in the Pacific, he wouldn't know how much it cost him until he got older.
He has flashbacks periodically, and sometimes they become dangerous. About five years ago, he thought he was jumping from a plane during a night mission, which was common during the war. He jumped off his bed and hit his head on a dresser. The gushing blood and his frantic wife brought him out of the trance.
A scar on his forehead is there as a reminder of the terrifying night.
"The veterans now don't realize what's ahead," he said. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about it (World War II)."
He said war has changed drastically since when he fought. Rippy said when he joined the U.S. Navy, he never knew where he was going or what his job would be. He said he would go out on patrol and "whatever you ran into, that was it (your job)."
Rippy said war planes used to go 200 mph.
"Now they land at 200 mph," he said, laughing.
Although he returned from war alive, he didn't return without battle wounds. He has a bullet hole in his right leg and a scar in his left leg where shrapnel was cut out.
And, of course, the emotional scars will never heal completely.
He said he thanks God for every day he is granted.
"I'm really thankful I'm still around," he said.
Rippy said Veterans' Day is an emotional day for him and "depressing."
"It (Veteran's Day) means a lot to me," he said. "I'm proud to be an American. That means more to me than anything.
"When I can walk in and see that flag back there, that's what it's all about."
Cindy Barton 224-5185 Ext. 205
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