Monday, September 12, 2016
I remember when I met John W. Anderson at Yokota Air Force Base, Japan. As I recall we first met on the flight line. It was obvious to me that he was from my old home state of New York as his accent gave him away even before he opened his mouth! After meeting, and using New York as something to talk about, we became good friends. There were certainly times that he acted tough almost like a bully and it seemed as though his mouth became taller than he was! Then as I really got to know him I began to see that his tough like self was a facade hiding a gentle soul. We were both a couple of scared young men then.
One day a bunch of us guys we were out at a beach and we found an old boat anchor and we took it. Well when we left Japan I had more weight allowance in shipping my personal items home than Andy did because of rank. So with that in mind I had the anchor shipped home and I then sent it on to Andy at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. I remember grinding an area smooth on the side and stamping with letter punches a bunch of our names on it such as Andy, Watkins, Ed, myself and I don't remember who all else. I'm not sure what ever happened to that anchor but oh the memories. Just like on the anchor, Andy has has left a permanent impression upon me, that being of a kind and loving man who wore the suit of 'rough and tough' armor. I will miss talking with him every week or two. Goodbye my friend.
Larry Moe Morreira
