Jack Moore enlisted in the Navy in 1951 during the Korean War. He spent almost four years on a destroyer escort DE341 as a Machinist 2nd Class working in the engine room, boilers, and evaporators. During the warm months, Jack was stationed in Florida with the ship. When the weather turned cold, the ship went north, and so did Jack. When they reached Boston, Jack volunteered to play basketball. "I would have volunteered for anything just to get off that ship," said Jack. He played for three seasons for the Northern Atlantic Fleet.
With his strong desire to get off that ship, Jack turned around and got right back on, working as a river boat captain along the Illinois river throughout his career.
All of his memorabilia from his time in the Navy was lost during a tornado in 1990 that hit Plainfield, IL and destroyed his home.
Jack has been a Pearce member since 1995. He usually comes in three times each week to walk the track, exercise, participate in Meals on Wheels, and visit with friends.
Carl Carr joined Pearce in 2002 after his career with Cat. He also enlisted in the Navy, serving from 1958 to 1961 as an airman.
His job was to prepare parachutes and survival gear. He was stationed in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis; on a ship in Greece in 1960 that caught fire, killing 10 people; and spent most of his time in the Mediterranean Sea.
Of all the places he saw, the French Riviera was his favorite because of the magnificent beaches and the wonderful "entertainment." Carl declined explaining exactly what "entertainment" meant!
Pearce member Frank Cramer got one year of college completed at the University of Illinois before he enlisted in the Navy Air Corp at the height of World War II in 1944. As a Seaman 3rd Class, Frank was stationed at nine different bases throughout the US over two years.
When the chance came in 1946 to get out, he took it and returned to college. Frank finished his general engineering degree on the GI Bill and went on to serve as a county engineer for Marshall County for 30 years.
In 2010, Frank's granddaughter escorted him on an Honor Flight to Washington, DC.
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