One of the “Greatest Generation” Bonds with Volunteer

Un Ministerio Compasivo Sin Fines de Lucro Desde 1990

One of the “Greatest Generation” Bonds with Volunteer

septiembre 27, 2010 | By: Communications Department

frank borrell    Hospice of the Comforter patient Francis “Frank” Borrell was a Second Class Gunner Mate with duty on the battleship USS Missouri (BB63) in World War II. He served on the USS Missouri during the Iwo Jima and Okinawa action, where his duty station was in the ammunition magazines. He was also present when the formal surrender to Japan was signed on the USS Missouri at Tokyo Bay, September 2, 1945. Frank, 94, is one of the last sailors that stood aboard the USS Missouri that day.
   Recently, Frank requested a befriending volunteer, preferably a veteran. Volunteer Bill Foster, a Navy veteran, answered the call. After their first meeting, Frank raved to his daughter, Barbara, about the fun he had talking to Bill.
   “It’s nice to reminisce and I know Bill can relate to ship-board life,” Frank said.
   “It’s wonderful to have something in common with a patient,” Bill says. “We share a lot of jargon, acronyms and slang. Also, it’s a ‘feel-good’ opportunity to sincerely convey to a patient that we understand and appreciate their service and sacrifice.”
   Frank visited the USS Missouri in August when he and Barbara traveled to Hawaii for the 65th anniversary of Japan’s surrender. He was interviewed by NBC Nightly News. When Frank was asked what it meant to see the ship again, he said, “It meant the world to me. The ship was my home for five years.”