Debbie Draper, Pt. 1

My name is Debbie Draper and over the last couple of years I’ve been exploring my Dad’s WWII experience.  Dad was reluctant to revisit this but, armed with assistance from a young former Marine who helped me appreciate Dad’s unit and a roster of his Raider service, I pestered him into what has been a sometimes painful, laughable, and always emotional journey.

Dad was not able to attend the 2001 Raider Reunion in Washington, DC so I went, yearning to learn more about these Raiders and to hopefully find some men who remembered my Dad (and who might share stories about him).

My Dad is living in Arizona and doing well – he just doesn’t like to travel much.  So at the reunion I served as his eyes and ears, and shared the experience via my camera lens as well.  I hope you enjoy my first Raider Reunion as much as my Dad did !!!

Dad wishes all Raiders a Semper Fidelis!

First – a little background ….

The handsome young fella on the left is my Dad in uniform (Albert B. Miller, Jr., 1E/HQ).  The bars on his uniform indicate he’s seen five major engagements (thus the silver star bar).  I look into those eyes and try to see the pain of a young man who lost a really good buddy, Cliff (aka Bill) Lehman, on his first day of combat, 7 August 1942, at Tulagi.  I don’t see the pain but I’ve heard it in our talks – some 60 years later!

On the right is my Dad on his 79th birthday (in 1999).  I live near Richmond, VA, so during one of his visits we went to the Raider Museum in Richmond.  The museum was very interesting and finding his name on the doors was important to Dad.  (For those uninformed, the museum holds a series of folding doors that contain the names of all Raiders).   It was a poignant moment when he stood for a moment in front of the Japanese machine gun and whispered “That damn Nambu.”

Now, on to the reunion ….

The Hospitality Room had GREAT displays as well as afforded a casual and comfortable setting for socializing. 

More Great Displays

This display covered the discovery, recovery, and ‘going home’ for the men of the 2nd Battalion’s Makin Raid who were scheduled to be re-interred at Arlington National Cemetery later that day

Click Here for Part Two!