SPANISH FORT, Ala. — One special day reserved to honor members of the U.S. Armed Services is Veterans Day which will be on Nov. 11, but observed on Nov. 12 in Spanish Fort. Cmdr. Don Dixon of VFW post 5560 said it is important to celebrate Veterans Day just to show that we support the armed forces and the country.

“I think everyone that is here owes a debt to the military that has kept our freedom over the years,” he said.

The documentary, “The War,” by Ken Burns recently aired on the PBS channel. Two local veterans, First Class Gunner’s Mate Malcolm Babb and Gunnery Sgt. Bob Hempfleng, were interviewed about the series and their personal war experiences.

“The War” also focused on four small American towns, including Mobile, during World War II.

Babb said he liked the documentary, but felt “It specialized in certain areas.”

Babb’s experiences occurred a little bit differently, he said. He said he never saw a patrol torpedo boat in the 15-hour series.

He said it would be good for new recruits and people interested in joining the military to watch the seven-part series.

Hempfleng, who served in both the Korean and Vietnam wars, said the documentary was outstanding and he watched the entire series.

“It was true and there was no make believe in it. It showed actual pictures, just like it was,” he said. The former sergeant said Burns covered WWII pretty well, and “He didn’t sugarcoat any of it.” “I think every person in U.S. should be made to watch that film,” he said.

Babb participated in three invasions and 55 combat missions for the U.S. Navy, he said.

In 1943, Babb went to a military boot camp in Maryland after his father signed permission for him to join the U.S. Navy, since he was only 17 years old.

He became a first class gunner’s mate in an 80 foot (PT) boat and assigned to the South Pacific, including New Guinea, Borneo and the Philippines.

His job was to repair guns, make sure the ammunition was in place and fire guns.

After he turned 18, he was put into combat. Getting information was a challenge, he said, with no cell phones or computers, just radio signals, Babb said.

The soldiers didn’t really know where reefs were in the water and they didn’t have detailed maps of the Pacific Ocean either, he said. They had to use a “lead line,” which was lowered into the water to check the depth of the water.

WW II was the first time that PT boats were ever used, Babb said. There were l3 soldiers on his PT boat, he said. The shallow draft boats could travel up to 60 miles per hour, he said.

Babb said he doesn’t mind talking about WWII. However, many friends were lost to the ravages of war, and many times Babb didn’t think he would survive, he said.

“The atrocities in World War II were completely bad,” he said. “Some [soldiers] lose their mind when they are under attack,” he said. “

In 1951, Babb was called back up to military service for the Korean War. Instead of the South Pacific, he traveled to north Africa, the Mediterranean, Puerto Rico and the North Pole.

Hempfleng joined the U.S. Marine Corps and went to boot camp in San Diego. He was in the Marines for 23 years in the infantry. He served in Korea from 1952 to 1953 and Vietnam twice, once in 1965 for nine months and once in 1970 for 10 months.

After the officers and the first sergeant, the gunnery sergeant is responsible for the company, which consists of four platoons with 4l men assigned to each platoon, he said. According to Hempfleng, the gunnery sergeant gives orders, makes sure the soldiers have received the appropriate training and do their jobs.

“Korea is the coldest place I have ever been and Vietnam was the hottest place I had ever been,” Hempfleng said.

He traveled to Korea on a ship. The first time he went to Vietnam he was flown from Hawaii and the second time flown from Camp Pendleton in California.

Quite often, Hempfleng didn’t feel that he would survive the war.

“You go out on patrol and you don’t know if you are coming back or not,” he said.

You have to learn to live with the stress of it, he said. When he was stationed in Hawaii, his wife and six sons were with him. He was home eating lunch one day with his family when he was told he had 30 minutes to get his gear ready. He wasn’t told where he was going, but was shipped out.

On the second day on board, the soldiers were told they were going to Okinawa and then to Vietnam. He said he didn’t know much about the climate or terrain when he landed, he said. He will only talk about some of his war experiences, but not all, he said.

Babb, 82, and Hempfleng, 75, are currently members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 5660 in Fairhope. On Saturday, the post raised approximately $800 for disabled veterans.

CITY OF SPANISH FORT VETERANS DAY CLOSINGS

MONDAY, NOV. 12 (OBSERVED)

< Spanish Fort City Hall and the Spanish Fort Police administrative offices will be closed Monday, Nov. 12, in observance of Veterans Day.

< The Spanish Fort Planning Commission will meet Tuesday, Nov. 13, in observance of Veterans Day. The work session will be at 6 p.m. and the regular meeting will be at 6:30 p.m.

< Saluting veterans. Local businesses join together to honor area veterans, page 14B.