One Veteran’s Story

Joe Brotherton salutes Old Glory at the Leon County Veterans’ Memorial Plaza. Van’Go’photo One of Leon County’s senior veterans, Joe Brotherton, spent this beautiful Veterans Day with his bride of 72 years, Chloe (whom he still calls “Kid”), reminiscing about his service as a navy man in World War II.

Joe was a Jewett boy. He graduated from JHS in ‘34 and after high school he served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1935- 37. He helped build a dam at a saw mill pond at Ratcliff CC Camp in East Texas. In December of ‘37, he married a petite beauty from Donie.

In 1943 Joe enlisted and was assigned to the Navy. He went to San Diego for basics. Chloe was able to join him in California, where Joe served for two years at a carpentry shop on the base at Coronado Island, running automatic saw filing equipment. In October of ‘45 he shipped out on the Destroyer Escort USS Eaton, and Chloe moved back to Texas. She was pregnant with the first child, and the soul mates depended on letters to stay in touch for the next few months.

Van’Go’photos As the Eaton ran interference for bigger ships, Joe’s tour of duty took him to Honolulu,

French Indo China, Manchuria Russia and Siberia.

Happily, he recalls, “it didn’t take me long to look at the horseshoe!” and he was back stateside in February ‘46, in time for the birth of their daughter, Linda.

The Brothertons have managed to be together al- most every day since, in work and in play. Joe has not been interested in return to the ocean. “People go out on those cruises -- I can’t see that!” he laughs.

The national holiday inspired a visit to the Leon County Veteran’s Memorial Plaza in Centerville where Joe’s name, along with those of his brothers, is etched in a brick that helps make up the wall recognizing those who served from Leon County. The couple also spent a few moments at the black granite memorial remembering those who gave their all in service to our country. Joe’s sight is failing, so Chloe read to him the names of fallen friends and neighbors. Then, hand in hand, they headed home, where they still have more memories to make.

If you have not yet visited the Veterans Memorial Plaza, make time to take your favorite veteran and make an outing of it.