Life in Manteca 125: July 4 Unveiling of WWII Mural

 It is strange how choked up and emotional I became as I watched the plastic go up on this mural.  It made me think of my own father, Jim Wardle, and the sacrifice that he made during the war.  He served in the Navy as a young man of 17-20.  (He enlisted a week before his birthday.)  He served until the end of the war, when he was discharged on a hardship so he could help his father with the farm.  At one point the asked for those who have family members who served in the war to stand.  I was standing so I waved my hand.  The mural is entitled the "Spirit of America."  It portrays a tank, planes and a destroyer.  My father served on a destroyer escort.  This is the Manteca Journal article on the events.  And the Modesto Bee.