THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, April 19, 2019 Page 3 ASKS | from page 1 Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class. During his four years in the Navy, he was involved in combat action in the Battle of Okinawa, the invasion of Africa, the invasion of Sicily and the invasion of the Philippines. During the war, he was introduced to Hazel Goudreau and got married. When he was discharged from the service, they settled in a house on Richfield Street in Burlington. They were married for 71 years before she died. They raised a family of two daughters and two sons: Dianne Slater, who died last year; Donna Hrinchuk; Peter J. Decareau, Jr.; and Paul Decareau. Peter Sr., focused on family and friends after the war. He worked for many years as a hand engraver. After retiring, he worked part-time at the old Hilltop Steakhouse on Route 1 in Saugus. Some highlights of the interview follow. Q: How does it feel, Peter? After all of these years, you finally get your high school diploma. A: It’s amazing! Amazing! I can’t believe it! Q: Did you think you were ever going to get it? A: No. I thought I was too dumb! Hah ha! (He chuckles with a ‘just kidding’ nod.) Q: When did you learn you were going to get it? Please tell me how that developed. When did you know you were going to get the diploma? A: My son Paul told me the night before, and my brother Gene [Eugene] in Saugus … he pushed it through, too. Of course, he is Mr. Saugus, my brother Gene. He ran Saugus. Q: He was a Town Meeting member and has been active with the Lions Club and his church [First Congregational Church, UCC in Saugus]. A: Right. He’s a busy guy. Q: Were you close to finishing your education when you enlisted? A: No. I had one more year. I didn’t have to join. Q: Do you have any regrets looking back ... that you didn’t finish High School? A: No. I don’t. I think that was the smartest thing I ever did – joining the service. I really think that every kid getting out of school today should have a year of boot camp. That’s my opinion. I think it’s the greatest thing in the world. Q: But you could have still done that if you waited until after graduating. A: It was because of the war that I didn’t wait. I didn’t have to go in, but I wanted to. Q: It bothered you so much that you felt the personal need to enlist? A: Yes. I was only 17. I didn’t have to go in the service at all. But everybody went in the service. They took me down to Town Hall. My dad wasn’t a happy camper, but he signed so I could go. I was the first one to be a vet in my family and four of the five boys served. Q: And you have no regrets whatsoever? A: None. It was the greatest experience that I ever had. Boot camp was great. Q: Did you have any close calls during your time in the service? Any harrowing moments, when you worried about whether you were going to make it out? A: A few. I was in the invasion of Sicily – during the actual invasion. That was the closest I ever came to getting killed. Q: What happened? A: My ship was blown up and I got picked up in the water. It was a long time ago, and I don’t remember a lot about it Q: You were out in the water and got rescued. Were you out in deep water? A: Yep – deep enough to get drowned, but I had a life jacket on. We always had a life jacket on. Q: Did you get injured? A: Nope. Q: Did you have any other threatening moments? A: My sister ship went down during the invasion of Africa. I don’t know how many people we lost; it’s been a long time. People on my ship helped save about 50 men. Q: Do you ever keep in touch with people you served with? A: There’s none of them left. Q: Was there a point when you did get together with any of them? A: Yes – every year we had a reunion. This was with people who served on the first Merchant Marine ship I was on. Every year we had a reunion and got together, around here and different places. Q: What was the last year you had the reunion? A: It’s got to be a good 10 years – a good 10 years; it could ASKS | SEE PAGE 8 $3.39 $2.55 GALLON GALLON We accept: MasterCard * Visa * & Discover Price Subject to Change without notice 100 Gal. Min. 24 Hr. Service 781-286-2602 “I couldn’t put my mother in a nursing home. Thanks to AFCNS, I receive monthly financial support and a helpful team so I can care for her at home.” Nhung, Caregiver to mother, Chinh 978-281-2612 AdultFosterCareNS.com Celebrating 18 Years Visit our walk-in center, walk away with a new career. Encore Boston Harbor is hiring. Apply in person at our walk-in center while there’s still time. Medford Career Office | 101 Station Landing, Medford Monday – Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Saturday – Sunday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. In accordance with our host and surrounding community agreements, hiring preference is given to properly qualified residents of the cities of (1) Everett, (2) Malden, and (3) Boston, Cambridge, Chelsea, Medford, and Somerville.
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