Veterans’ Day Spotlight on 3HC Hospice Patient, Woodrow Anderson
At 103 years old, Woodrow Anderson still loves to tell his story about his tenure in the military. When he was the young age of 21, he moved from his hometown of Mount Olive, North Carolina with his brothers to find jobs in Richmond, Virginia. Not working long in the car upholstery business, Woodrow made the decision to enlist in the US Navy in May of 1942. A week later, without training, he left out of Norfolk, Virginia on the USS Philadelphia.
Traveling through the Straits of Gibraltar, anchoring in Africa, and visiting Sicily were just some of the stops he made while out at sea. The longest time he stayed on board without touching land was nine months. He was assigned to the 1st Division, Anchor Division, specifically dropping anchors to help keep the ship still in the waters. When not working, he shared the tasks of scrubbing decks and the “head.” Woodrow’s favorite time of the day was chow time, and his favorite food was a fried egg sandwich. He was even in the company of celebrity, Martha Raye. He remembers laughing, smiling, and how good of a show she put on for everyone at Christmas that year.
At the end of August 1945, while on board the USS Topeka, Woodrow traveled to Japan because of the ongoing war. Not long after being in Tokyo Bay, the peace treaty was signed, and the war was over. Woodrow was so happy because he knew he would be heading back home after being gone for over three years. Woodrow’s ship continued to patrol the waters until the first of October, the day they began their homeward voyage. On October 16, Woodrow stepped back onto US soil in Portland, Oregon. One month later, he was heading back to Mount Olive, North Carolina by train just in time to spend Christmas with his family.
When Woodrow got home, he opened a little country store with his cousin, Ivy, which he was very proud of. He went on to marry his bride in 1948 and together, they had five children. He was the owner/operator of Anderson Tin Shop in Goldsboro, North Carolina where he also has lived for the past 64 years. Woodrow is also a member of the First Pentecostal Church in Goldsboro.
Serving his country from 1942 to 1946 were some of the best years of his life. He learned all about discipline and he gained many friendships along the way. When asked if he would serve again today, he smiled and said “yes, I would join the Navy.” Thank you for your service, Mr. Woodrow!
About 3HC
3HC (Home Health & Hospice, Inc.) is a private, not-for-profit home health and hospice organization. Based in NC, 3HC provides care in 24 counties throughout eastern NC, from the Triangle to the coast, operating nine clinical offices and two hospice inpatient units, Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, NC and SECU Crystal Coast Hospice House in Newport, NC. 3HC is Medicare and Medicaid certified and is accredited by the Community Health Accreditation Partner (CHAP), a designation shared by only the best health care providers.
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