“The Fight To Survive”
Veterans Day is about honoring those who gave of themselves, both past and present, those who have fought to secure for us the great freedom we have here in America.
On the night of July 30, 1945 the United States cruiser, USS Indianapolis, was struck by two deadly torpedoes, and was sunk in just twelve minutes. Of the 1,196 men on board, roughly 900 survived and were forced into the water.
For the next five horrifying days, those brave sailors who did survive the sinking of their ship literally fought for their lives. They had to endure severe dehydration, hypothermia and, most of all, the continuing attacks by huge ocean sharks. By the time they were finally rescued on that 5th day, only 317 men had survived. This is their story as told by one survivor, USMC Edgar Harrell.
It’s a story of unbelievable hardship and suffering and death. But its more than that! It’s an amazing story of great courage and determination and faith.
This is one Veterans Day story you just can’t miss. It is a story which should be heard by people of all ages.
