Subscribe via RSSLieutenant Colonel James Carberry
Most of my life, I hadn't known Uncle Jim. Though he was the brother of my Grandfather, their relationship was tumultuous and therefore his presence in our family was somewhat shrouded. My father did not abide by his father, and maintained a strong bond with Jim over the years. I remember meeting him and his wife, Kiki, when I was about 11 or 12. I'd never formed a bond with him and wasn't in touch for many years of my life. I wasn't there for him when Kiki passed away, in fact I didn't even know when or how she died.
Around the year 2000, Mel and I had moved into Oakland, California. Jim had been living up in Napa for many years, and my father reminded me that I had family in the area. My relationship with Jim began at this time. Mel and I would take weekend trips to wine country and stop in on Jim from time to time, talk story and maybe grab some dinner. Being a career military man and having been through heavy military combat, he lived in a state of reverie. After all, he spent his most formative years as an active soldier. He would tell us first-hand stories with in-depth detail of his experiences. True history from its source, as it was. These were not just stories, but artifacts and photos! Each visit left me fascinated and a bit heavy-hearted to think of anyone being in the middle of all he had. Despite it all, Jim was one of the most outgoing and warm people I've ever met. He joked and laughed with everyone. He used to like to shake your hand and then say to you that," you just shook the hand that shook the hand of General MacArthur." I wasn't ever really worried about him being alone because everyone seemed to love him and care for him.
I learned that the night I arrived home from Amsterdam on April 27th, he had passed away. He had always made it clear that he was to be buried next to Kiki in Arlington National Cemetery, so my father made the arrangements and we all prepared to fly out for his memorial service. Through the processing of his papers and will, we learned he had a god son. No one knew about this extension of family, but were curious to meet him.
On July 5th, 2007, we all convened for his memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial service was exceptional and emotional, as Jim was given full honors. It began at the top of the hill, where Jim's casket was moved from a hearse to a horse-drawn caisson. The procession led us down the hill to his burial location. As we went along, I was moved to see strangers stand at attention and soldiers salute - even a man in Navy whites who appeared to be visiting a grave stood at attention as we passed by. To see all those who never knew Jim pay respect filled me with emotion. It was truly humane and it touched me to my core.
Had I more maturity as a boy, I may have forged an even deeper bond with Jim and I would have perhaps known something of Aunt Kiki. Nevertheless, I am thankful for what contact I have received. One more thing I'd like to mention is that before either my Great Uncle or Grandfather passed away, I had the unique opportunity to visit with the two of them together as brothers. I think that they were trying to make amends before it was too late. My hope is that they did.
Comments
1
brenda+
07.09.07
i am thinking of you and mel
i am thinking of you and mel and am sorry you have to manage this stress and sadness. i am happy for you that you are together and honoring a great man.
much love
brenda+
2
Victor Lazlo
07.17.07
Bob, The pleasure was all
Bob,
The pleasure was all mine. The world is a small place, sometimes. I hope that we can share more stories in the future. I'd love to learn more of Jim's extended family.
3
Bob Yeager
07.17.07
Shaun & Mel, It was my great
Shaun & Mel,
It was my great pleasure to meet you and your parents at the interment of "Uncle Jim" my Godfather. Being with you and sharing our stories would have greatly pleased Jim and Kiki. I was proud to be there for my Uncle Jim who doated on me as a little guy. I will pass this wonderful website on to my Mother who met Jim Carberry as a student at Pierce Business School in Philadelphia, after both had graduated from High School in the late 1930's. They were good friends and as it happened Jim was a high school buddy of my Father. Another of the high school buddy's (Rollie Stanart)introduced my Mother to my Father. They all hung out together until the war broke it up but, Jim would visit us faithfully all his life. Thanks for putting this together. Best, Bob Y.
4
Bob Yeager
07.26.07
The 21-gun salute stands for
The 21-gun salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the year 1776?
The honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times? You probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies:
The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.
The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal
life.
The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the
veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country.
The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as
American citizens trusting in God.
The 5th fold is a tribute to the country.
The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie. It is
with their heart that They pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America.
The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces.
The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered
into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.
The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and mothers.
The 10th fold is a tribute to the fathers
The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the
seal of King David and King Solomon.
The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and
glorifies God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.
The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely
folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, "In God We Trust."
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in,it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy today.
5
Helen M. Yeager
08.26.07
Jim Carberry and I go back
Jim Carberry and I go back to Sept. 1939. when we both enrolled at Pierce Business School on Pine Street in Phila. Pa. Several classmates (including Rollie Stanert) lived in suburban Phila., as Jim and I did and we all traveled back and forth to school together. Jim had a close knit group of friends at that time in his life and there is still two of us missing him terribly.
When his Dad was transferred out of the Phila. area Jim moved into the central YMCA on Arch street, so he could finish his schooling before joining the service.
Jim went off to war, I married one of the group, Bob Yeager and Rollie waited for the draft to beckon him forth.
We kept in touch during the war and when Jim made Captain, Bob and I went to Baily, Banks and Biddle Jewlers and bought Jim a set of captain bars and had them engraved with Bob's initials and mine. We mailed the bars to Jim.
I remember Jim got home and brought Kiki with him. It was the year The Andrea Doria sank off of the New Jersey coast They stayed with us for several days and we all loved Kiki.
Our son,Bob, had a tree house in the back yeard and you could fine him there any time of day with Jim's helmit liner on and a tree limb for a gun.
Jim and Kiki visited us many times as they changed from assignment to assignment. Bob and I moved to Colorado Springs on Jim' recommendation. When Jim was at Fort Carson they bought a house in the Springs and experienced the great living there.
How do you tell the story of a lifetime in a short essay? It is not possible when the subject is of so great a character that the printed word cannot make up for all the strength of character and human kindness that Jim shared with all who knew him. How fortunate I have been to have had the treasure of a true friend in Jim Carberry
6
Sally Thomas Kutz
11.22.10
James Carberry
Jim was such a dear friend to my mother and dad..so to me as I grew up. He and Kiki were great fun and always filled with smiles and laugher. They visited us often in many different stations. I was thinking about him as I just buried my mother, Ann Thomas in Arlingtion with my dad, Charlie(as Jim called him) last August. Google is a wonderful thing as I know now that these dear friends for so many years are within steps of each other. I will most definitely stop by to say hello to Jim and Kiki the next time I go up to Arlington.
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