‘I love this country:’ World War II Veteran recalls time serving in navy as Veterans Day nears
By Lindsay Clein
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THOMASVILLE, North Carolina (WXII) — November is National Veterans and Military Families Month — a time to honor the service and sacrifices of all veterans and their families.
We are introducing you to a very special man. Jim Cain is a World War II veteran who is now 99 years old.
Just recently, he was able to take a trip on the Triad Honor Flight.
WXII’s Lindsay Clein sat down with him as he shared many stories from his time in the Navy.
“I am a World War II veteran,” said Cain. “And, you know, I’m 99 years old — and I’m proud of everything I’ve done.”
At nearly 100 years young, Jim Cain is looking back on close to a century of a life well lived.
“It’s been a good life,” Cain said. “I’ve enjoyed every bit of it.”
At just 18 years old, he decided to voluntarily join the Navy.
“And I served in the South Pacific on a mine sweeper,” said Cain.
For two and a half years, he lived on a ship, sweeping mines.
“I enjoyed some of it,” Cain said. “Some of it I didn’t.”
Enjoyable or not, though, he’s proud of his service and dedication to our country.
“I am very proud of it,” he said. “And the Honor Flight I went on was a great honor for me to do that.”
In October, he was one of the many on a flight full of veterans who got to visit our nation’s capital on the Triad Honor Flight.
“It was great,” he said. “I enjoyed every bit of it. It was a long day — but it was well worth it.”
He was one of only three World War II veterans on the flight.
“It was well worth it and it meant a lot to me to see what I had gone through and to see all the World War II memorials and everything,” he said.
He was genuinely moved by the many military memories.
“It was a wonderful day,” said Cain. “Seeing all that stuff that brought back military memories of me, you know.”
Memories like those captured on the wall, hanging in his home.
“It’s been a long time, “he said, pointing to the photos.
One story he tells is about the time he was ordered to go aboard a Japanese ship to deliver a stack of envelopes.
“He said, ‘I want you to take these envelopes and go aboard that Japanese ship,'” Cain said. “He said, ‘You’ll be okay.’ Of course, I was scared– yes.”
He was told the next day what those envelopes contained.
“They were maps of where the Japanese had anchored mines,” Cain said. “And those ships were gonna sweep their own mines.”
Eighty-some years later, his stories of patriotism and pride still resonate.
“We were there fighting for our country,” he said.
Loyalty and allegiance.
“I love this country.”
Jim remains proud of not only his own service, but also the service of others who continue the legacy of fighting for our flag and our freedom.
“This is a wonderful country we’ve got,” said Cain. “And we were willing to fight for it– so we did.”
WXII will continue to feature veterans like Jim every Tuesday during the month of November.
Veterans Day is Tuesday, Nov. 11.
This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate partner and does not contain original CNN reporting.
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