Serving Those Who Served

Like many World War II Veterans, Barb Selz’s father never talked much about his time in the military. He’s a typical example of the quiet sacrifices made by so many members of the Greatest Generation, according to Barb, who is Intake Coordinator in the Dallas office of Cambridge Caregivers.

John Durkin served in the U.S. Navy at the tail end of World War II. Born in 1926, he was too young to enter the military until the war was nearing its conclusion. After completing basic training in Philadelphia, he boarded a ship bound for Japan.

Family lore adds a touch of humor to the story.

“He was on a boat, sailing to Japan, and the Japanese surrendered before he got there,” Barb said. “We’ve always joked that, because they knew Dad was coming, Japan just surrendered!”

Durkin never saw combat, but he did complete four years of service in the Navy and was ultimately discharged with the rank of Seaman First Class. His brother also served in Europe.

Like many who served during that era, Durkin returned home, went to work, raised a family, and rarely shared about his time in uniform.

“He was kind of a rough and gruff guy,” Selz said. “I didn’t find out much about his service until I was an adult. He just didn’t speak about it.”

After the war, Durkin built a career as an electrician with Jones and Laughlin (J&L) Steel Corporation, eventually rising to assistant supervisor of the blast furnace — one of the toughest and dirtiest jobs in the mill.

One detail he did share was how much he enjoyed serving as a radio operator in the Navy. That role became a lifelong hobby. Durkin enjoyed operating an old ham radio in the attic of Barb’s childhood home.

More recently, while sorting through paperwork, Barb discovered that her dad received the American Theater Ribbon, the Pacific Theater Ribbon and the Victory Medal. She also noticed that he was discharged from the Navy on her mother’s birthday, a coincidence that makes her smile. At the time, her parents hadn’t yet met.

She also smiles remembering another moment when her father shared a small piece of his military experience.

“I asked him about the Navy’s song,” she said. “He was a little annoyed, but he did sing ‘Anchors Aweigh’ for me.”

At Cambridge Caregivers, honoring Veterans and their stories is part of our mission. The company is an authorized provider for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, which means qualifying veterans may be eligible to receive in-home care services at no cost through VA programs.

For more information about in-home care services for veterans, or to learn how to access VA benefits, contact Cambridge Caregivers.