This is my first time joining the Blue Monday posts at Smiling Sally’s. Can’t wait to see what everybody is doing this Monday.
In honor of Memorial Day, today, I am posting Navy Blue.
Specifically U. S. Navy blue.
I want to tell you about my father-in-law, Dr. Joe B. Wharton Jr. Dr. Joe B., as he was known, was a Navy doctor during World War II. He served in the South Pacific. One of our treasures is the letters that he and my mother-in-law, Iola Holt Wharton, exchanged during his service in the South Pacific.
During Dr. Joe B.’s service, John F. Kennedy was injured on PT109. Dr. Joe B. was the doctor who attended him. John F. Kennedy and Dr. Joe B. had become friends before Mr. Kennedy’s injury and continued corresponding for many years after the war.
In 1961 The Saturday Evening Post wrote an article about John F. Kennedy’s adventures during the war. They ran the picture below.
Below is the full picture.
That is Dr. Joe B. on the left with John F. Kennedy. The dog had been adopted by JFK and the cat had been adopted by Dr. Joe B. As you can see, they were holding the pet that belonged to the other in the picture. The Saturday Evening Post contacted Dr. Joe B. for permission to use the picture with him in it. At that time, Dr. Wharton had a busy medical practice in El Dorado, Arkansas and never got around to getting back to them with permission to run the picture with him. They cropped him out and ran the picture without him.
There are several letters of correspondence between Dr. Joe B. and JFK during JFK’s presidency. These are archieved at the JFK Presidential Library.
On Memorial Day, we remember. This is just a small story from World War II that I wanted to share with you.
Hope you are all having a wonderful Memorial Day. Don’t forget to take time to honor those who have and continue to keep us safe!
Today’s Lagniappe: Red, White and Blue Salad
* 1 package (3 ounces) berry blue gelatin
* 2 cups boiling water, divided
* 2-1/2 cups cold water, divided
* 1 cup fresh blueberries
* 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
* 1 cup heavy whipping cream
* 6 tablespoons sugar
* 2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* 1 package (3 ounces) raspberry gelatin
* 1 cup fresh raspberries
* Whipped topping and additional berries, optional
Directions:
In a large bowl, dissolve berry blue gelatin in 1 cup boiling water; stir in 1 cup cold water. Add blueberries. Pour into a 3-qt. serving bowl. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
Meanwhile, in a saucepan, sprinkle unflavored gelatin over 1/2 cup cold water; let stand for 1 minute. Add the cream and sugar; cook and stir over low heat until gelatin and sugar are completely dissolved. cool to room temperature. Whisk in sour cream and vanilla. Spoon over the blue layer. Refrigerate until firm.
In a large bowl, dissolve raspberry gelatin in remaining hot water; stir in remaining cold water. Add raspberries. Spoon over cream layer. Chill until set. Garnish with whipped topping and additional berries if desired. Yield: 14-16 servings.
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
John Wharton, grandson of Joe B Wharton. Found the story on Dr Joe B. What a nice surprise.
John F. Kennedy aime les animaux cela prouve a quel point cet homme aimait la vie et explique pourquoi le peuple américain passait avant les banksters comme les «Rockefeller!!
Un héros et un homme humain et honnête.
This is so interesting–I really enjoyed reading this.
Thanks for stopping by my blog?
What a wonderful story… I loved reading this post!!!!! I hope you had a blessed Memorial Day!
Literally incredible. All the years in El Do I never new this. I am honored to know you Joe B. Hope you had a great Memorial Day.
Jim Robinson
Awesome Post! Awesome Recipe! I should make that for lunch this week – it would be very refreshing! Hope your Memorial Day was pleasant! Happy Blue Monday! ~ Robyn
What a great piece of family history! That’s awesome! Thanks for the photos. I loved your story and for sharing your red, white, and blue recipe with us. Great story for today!
Neat and interesting story… thanks for sharing!
Happy Memorial Day. We celebrated Victoria Day here in Canada last weekend.
Happy Blue Monday
Love Claudie
xoox
What wonderful treasures for your family to have. Have a great day and enjoy Blue Monday.
what a wonderful tribute to your father in law Christi! I hope you are having a wonderful Memorial Day weekend surrounded by family and friends! ~ Susan
love the black and white pictures gives history to them
What a wonderful tribute! Happy Blue Monday and have a lovely Memorial Day.
Blessings,
Sandi
Loved all your pictures. Happy blue monday and Memorial Day.
What a wonderful story! I love that photograph. This reminds me of Paul Harvey’s “And now you know the rest of the story.” Thanks for sharing.
Happy Memorial Day!
XO,
Sheila
Great story. We owe so much to our soilders and our fallen soilders. Let us never forget.