by Stan Ross
Sometimes the thing we want most is out of our reach for what seems like an eternity. For thousands of American families, veterans lost in distant battles remain where they fell. Lost. Alone. Often, forgotten by the nation they served. Thousands of miles away from home. Lost for so long, many or all of their direct family now gone. Waiting for homecomings that do not happen before it’s too late.
For the family of one veteran, the incredible, unbearable wait finally ended in Minneapolis this summer. After his demise nearly seven decades ago in the crash of a WWII Navy aircraft on a distant South Pacific island, RM1 Harry Scribner was finally laid to rest in Minneapolis, 29 June 2012.
Recovered from his crash site on the South Pacific island of Vanuatu in 1999, positive identification, location of next-of-kin, and preparation for return to his family took another 13 long years. Most of the family gathered for Scribner’s interment had never met him, but joined to pay their respects to this naval aviator who had lain where he fell for so very long.
Vanuatu was known then as the island of Espiritu Santo. Located in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, this strategic outpost was a remote and rugged base of naval operations in the horrific conflict, which claimed so many lives. Thousands of young Americans served under trying conditions and Harry Scribner was among them. Reports indicate the fateful mission the crew undertook was a “routine calibration flight” on a TBF-1 Avenger. Routine, that is until fate intervened. One survivor struggled for 16 days before being rescued from the remote jungles of this distant island. Despite his help, the rescuers were not able to locate the crash site, sealing Scribner’s fate for the next seven decades.
Seven decades is a long time to wait…a long time to hope…a long time to remember. A very long time for Harry’s parents and family to hold out hope of finally bringing him home. Their anguish would outlast them and many others in the Scribner family.
When Harry was laid to rest this summer at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, 10 members of his extended family, and a disciplined, and well-practiced group representing the entire United States Navy accompanied him. Most had never met Harry Scribner, but here they were.
In a moving tribute, the detail performed an intricate flag ceremony as the bugler played taps amid the sharp report of the rifle squad’s 21-gun salute. The roar of jets in this powerful and long awaited homecoming accentuated the chaplain’s touching recitation of solemn readings for a fallen aviator. To this we should all join in to add, welcome home, Harry!
EDITOR’S NOTE: There are still tens of thousands of American military members who to this day remain missing in action. Remember them. Honor them. Bring them home.
