Brothers enlisted at 18 to fight abroad in World War II
Randy Arrington
SHENANDOAH, May 25 — Paul Judd enlisted on Oct. 30, 1943. He would spend a good portion of the next two years fighting in several major battles in the Pacific Theater of World War II with the 6th Marine Division, from Guadalcanal in September of 1944 to the last major battle in the Pacific during the invasion of Okinawa from April through June of 1945.
On Saturday, Paul was the Guest of Honor at the Town of Shenandoah’s annual Memorial Service — the cornerstone of Shenandoah’s Memorial Festival, which includes multiple activities spanning two days. Irvin W. Judd Jr., Paul’s brother, wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t attend the service. However, as a token of their appreciation for serving as grand marshals for the Memorial Festival parade on Saturday afternoon, Mayor Clinton O. Lucas Jr. recognized the brothers — now in their 90s — by presenting Paul with a framed photograph of he and his brother in uniform (another is being sent to Irvin), not long after they signed up to fight a world war at the age of 18.
“You couldn’t help but notice the youth in those faces…they accepted the challenge and felt it was their obligation to their country,” Mayor Lucas told the crowd of nearly 100 gathered at the Shenandoah VFW Post 8613. “For many, this weekend is just a way to start their summer… So I truly appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to come out this morning to honor our veterans. I think it shows you are proud to be an American.”
Patriotism swelled in the room throughout the one-hour service, from waving flags during Madi Brewer’s rendition of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA” — the biggest applause of the day — to the moment when a vocalist paused during the national anthem… only to have the crowd fill in the gap, with the entire room singing by the time it reached “the home of the brave.”
“We’re commemorating the bravery of the young men and women who gave their lives so we all could be here to celebrate our freedoms,” Mayor Lucas said.
Nearly 1.2 million men and women have given their lives in military service to the United States since the Revolutionary War. The most recent were two Navy SEALs who died on Jan. 11.
Captain Marvin H. Heinze, USN (Ret) referenced those Navy SEALs during his keynote address. Heinze splits his time between homes in Cailfornia and Shenandoah. The University of Virginia alum and retired special ops officer offered inspiring words.
“The service members we honor today came from all walks of life, but they possessed similar qualities,” Capt. Heinze said. “They didn’t want to fight, but they were…called for something bigger than themselves.”
The memorial service included recognition of all veterans, including the playing of all five anthems of the military branches. Boy Scout Troop 8 placed a wreath in front of the crowd, representing the flowers at Flander’s Field in World War I. The morning service flowed with remembrance, reverence and national pride.
“Our service here today is one small spark in the flame of pride that spreads across America today,” Capt. Heinze said. “It’s a way to say ‘We remember.'”
For more information about the Town of Shenandoah,
visit https://www.townofshenandoah.com/
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