HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NORM

10-14-13

Anyone who has read (or is still reading) Baked Beans Vol.3 should recognize this picture.   It’s at the very end of the book, (Christmastime, 1945) when the men still left aboard the Boston are celebrating their last Christmas on the ship.   A month later, they were heading for home.

In this picture, then Major Norman C. Bayley, commanding officer of the ship’s Marine Detachment (shown seated left) is with two other officers.   They are judging the “Prettiest Sweetheart” contest   –   submissions by the ship’s crew.

If you have not yet read Vol. 3, I am not going to spoil anything by telling you about Norm Bayley.   His remarkable, amazing story is highlighted in my book.

I will tell you that Norm is one of seven surviving crewmembers who participated in the telling of the Baked Beans saga, one hell of a story . . . .

Did I mention that tomorrow (Oct 15) is Norm’s birthday?   He’ll be 96 years young.   If I tell you he’s still sharp as a tack, perhaps I’m understating . . . .

Happy Birthday, Norm.   Thanks for telling me your story     –     so I could share it with everyone else.

steve