Author: Melissa

This is one of, if not perhaps, my sister’s favorite possession and is really more her story to tell than mine. But, I hope she will not mind if I share a few of my own thoughts on this, especially today on Veteran’s Day. She is more than welcome to share her own words at any time regarding what this note and torn dollar has meant to her over the years.

When she joined the United States Navy in 1993 she was given this torn, crumpled, world weary dollar and the hand-written note from our grandfather on my mother’s side. He was know as Granddaddy to the four of us granddaughters. He had served in the Navy during World War II. The ship he served on, the USS Chase (DE-158) was a destroyer escort. On May 20, 1945 during the Battle of Okinawa it was hit by a kamikaze pilot and severely damaged. The crew struggled and worked hard to keep it afloat and they were eventually able to be towed into safety.

My grandfather was a man of few words. But, the words he spoke were always worthy of being heeded. He was a quiet, reflective sort always taking in what was going on around him.

The text of the note above is as follows:

Robin, 
        This is my lucky dollar. Carried all during World War II. Went in the water with me at Okinawa when our ship was hit 1943 [should be 1945]. Hope it brings you as Much luck.

Love, Granddaddy
Sept 25, 1993

I could attempt to write more, but in this case the image itself says so much on its own. It embodies the love and pride of a grandfather for his granddaughter (which he had in his own way for all four of us). It also embodies the respect of one veteran for another. Actually, two veterans for each other. On his part, in the act of sharing it with her. On her part, in the way she has memorialized that sharing.

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We all have them. A drawer, or possibly several drawers in our house into which we throw all the random items that don’t really have a particular place to go. We call it a junk drawer, but that does not necessarily mean everything in there is actually junk. Mostly, it’s just for things that don’t necessarily “fit in” in a specific location with a specific classification.

It may not occur every day, but I’m sure in most houses at least once a week or so the phrase, “Check the Junk Drawer!” is yelled out from one person to another when they are looking for something they can’t find elsewhere. Most items that are in there are not needed very frequently. However, it is often the place to find a critical item needed in a critical moment.

In my case, a close relative to the junk drawer is the miscellaneous file. No matter what kind of filing system I’m dealing with – whether it is my filing cabinet, computer files, writing journals, or my photo organizing index – I always have a folder or a section labeled miscellaneous. Again, it is where the items go that just don’t fit in, but are still worth keeping around.

As I reflect on my life and relationships over the years such as school, work, or circles of friendships, I realize that I have usually felt my place was in the junk drawer or the miscellaneous file. It’s always been hard for me to feel like I completely “fit in” a specific group. And now, as I have watched friends over the years live out their roles as spouses, parents, and some even into roles as grandparents, I again find myself wondering where and how I’m supposed to be classified.

Now, don’t get me wrong as I make the comparison. As I said earlier, not everything in the junk drawer is junk. It is put there because it is expected to be useful at some point. Same with the files placed in the miscellaneous folder. Just because they don’t sort out very easy into a category doesn’t mean they are worthless. If they were worthless they wouldn’t need to be saved at all.

So, if anybody needs me I’ll be over here hanging out in the junk drawer. And in that critical moment you realize that I’m just what you need at that particular time I’ll be here ready to help you out.

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