TUSCALOOSA COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) – We remember our fallen heroes on Memorial Day and one Tuscaloosa County man is remembering the friends he lost in the Korean War.
Robert Haver didn’t just fight near the front lines of that war. Haver’s service to the country started long before that.
Haver spends his days quietly at his home on Lake Tuscaloosa and this will be on his mind on Memorial Day.
“I’ll be thinking about the first few days in Korea,” said Haver.
The Korean War. Haver’s primary assignment in the conflict was to, in his words, “blow up things.”
“I suppose I was a little bit nervous, probably because we didn’t know what was coming around,” Haver said.
Haver had every right to be concerned. History tells us more than 36,000 Americans died in the Korean War.
But to fully understand Haver’s service to the country, you have to look at the wall – framed commendations, resolutions and letters.
“The accomplishments my dad doing the next right thing,” said Bob Haver’s daughter, Ellie Hermann.
That right thing started much earlier than the Korean War. At 13 years old, Bob Haver became a member of the Civil Air Patrol and was part of an overall CAP team that protected the country by spotting German U-Boats during World War ll. Haver remained in the CAP service as a pilot for decades long after the war and picked up another honor – the Congressional Gold Medal – 10 years ago.
“I’m so proud of my dad. It’s amazing the things he’s done. His physical stamina and the thing I admire most about him is his positive attitude,” said Hermann.
“I was thankful to get it. And the fact I made it home,” said Haver.
At 94, Haver is living out his twilight years in quiet serenity and remembering friends who never got that chance so many years ago.
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