World War II veteran turns 100 the day after Memorial Day
World War II veteran Chester Nordling's birthday falls on the day after Memorial Day this year.
And he talked to sister station KHBS about a lifetime of memories over the past century 바카라 게임 웹사이트 including memories of his service in the United States military.
Born in "a little town" in rural Kansas, Chet, as he likes to be called, moved to McPherson, Kansas, during the Great Depression. His father was the county sheriff.
"One interesting thing is I was in jail for four years because the residence of the jail was in front of the jail, so we lived in the jail building," Chet said.
Chet says his mother cooked for the inmates, and that he believes some purposely got arrested again because her cooking was so good.
After graduating high school in 1940, Chet was drafted during the outbreak of World War II, launching him into service of his county and forever joining him to America바카라 게임 웹사이트s "greatest generation."
"After I was inducted, I joined the Navy and was put on a merchant ship," Chet said.
Chet was an armed guard on a ship that battled in the Japanese-occupied Alaskan islands. Chet says his ship also battled seven-story tall waves on a fateful voyage.
"And on the way back from our second trip, the ship broke in two because of the high seas," he said.
Ten sailors died in the icy waters. But the ship remained afloat.
Chet was then assigned to the Uriah M. Rose 바카라 게임 웹사이트 connecting him to Arkansas for the first time.
"Uriah M. Rose was the name of a statesman from Arkansas," he said.
Upon returning home a war hero, Chet pursued a law degree and joined a law firm with his two brothers. Later in his personal life, Chet had two sons and a daughter. He was married twice 바카라 게임 웹사이트 the second time to a Bentonville, Arkansas, woman.
"I바카라 게임 웹사이트ve been blessed with two wonderful wives. And If I had known it was this nice living in Arkansas, I would have moved from Kansas earlier," Chet said.
Now Chet바카라 게임 웹사이트s life is a collection of memories for a man who turns 100 a day after Memorial Day.
"I served and I was asked to serve, and I did serve and I was proud that I served," he said.
Sunday, Chet's family gathered to honor the man that served his country and to celebrate the man they love.
"My celebration is going to be for a birthday not a funeral," Chet said.
