Why do my family and I continue to support the Association and to attend the annual Yorktown reunions? I could sum it up in two words – My Dad; however, that would not make for much of an article!

My Dad, TMV/2 Ed Branning, served on the Yorktown from 1943-1945, fighting in the Pacific during WWII, but those two years impacted his entire life. Dad attended many of the reunions – he’s right in the front in the picture from the first reunion and we think he only missed a handful in those years between 1948 and when he passed in 2012. I don’t really remember him leaving to go away to the reunions when I was very young, but I know he did. I do recall that he had a weekly phone chat with Jim Bryan every Sunday, and he also served as the Mid Atlantic Rep for a few years as well as the Reunion Committee. When my siblings and I got older, my mom would attend reunions with him. We heard all the stories of who they saw, who the speakers were, all the events and the pictures of the reunions. We always got one of the wallet size photos of the professional pictures that were apparently offered. Dad proudly wore his blazer with the Yorktown Association patch, and always wore his Yorktown hat. They were great pictures of Dad, because he always had a huge smile when he was back on the ship.

Dad loved visiting the ship and talking over old stories with all his shipmates. There were men that he kept in touch with for over 65 years and they never tired of talking about the Yorktown. Bob Courtet, also a Torpedoman, was one of Dad’s life-long friends and he lived in PA. Our parents traveled from MD to visit the Courtet’s often. Although both

Bob and Dad have passed, friendships continue with his family . Bob’s daughter, Sue, and I get together a few times a year.

Growing up, our bathroom was referred to as the “head”. Dad got a door plate from the ship when it was decommissioned that identified the “Officers W.C., W.R. and Showers”, which hung on our bathroom door for years. (It now has a place in my sister’s home). We were frequently told at dinner, “Take all you want, but eat all you take.”, because that is what he was told in the chow hall. Daily, we walked past a painting of the Yorktown in our hallway, along with a shadow box which contained medals, awards, and the certificate for crossing the International Dateline. Oh, and don’t ever call it a boat – it’s a ship!

In 2010, when Dad was 86, my brother, Tim, took him to what would be his last reunion. He participated in the “Meet and Greet” with visitors and one would have thought that he had been asked to sign the Declaration of Independence, it meant so much to him. People lined up to have their posters signed and spend time with former crew, and he signed countless posters. He came home feeling like a rock star handing out autographs. The “Meet and Greet” is a highlight of the annual reunion, and visitors flock to the ship on Saturday morning to spend time with former crewmembers. It is still a highlight of the reunion.

Even several decades later, Dad could still recount stories like it was yesterday. He was interviewed for a project on WWII by the National Archives and many of those stories were preserved. As kids, we didn’t really “get it”. We didn’t see how important these stories were for us and for all that come after us. Supporting the Yorktown Association and attending the reunions keeps these stories alive. And in some way, it keeps the memory of Dad and all those that served alive too. Dad’s ashes were scattered off the bow of the ship after he passed away, and I know that his spirit is there (and probably in the Torpedo Shop!).

My siblings Tim, Mary, Beth and I have all visited the ship and attended reunions and I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors. My son is actively involved in the Association and will continue the legacy, to honor those who served aboard the Fighting Lady. The Yorktown was always a presence in our lives growing up. Now that Dad is gone, this is our way of preserving the memory. It brings just a little bit of Dad back to us when we step into the Torpedo Shop and see him in the picture that hangs there on the wall. Although they were at war, there was a special bond that only those that have served can know, and I know his spirit is still there puttering around.

Our older veterans are rapidly dwindling. The stories need to be told and to be preserved and, in doing so, we can keep the legacy and memory of Yorktown crewmembers alive. Visit the Yorktown, attend the reunions, meet the families of those that served with your family member, meet others that served aboard in more recent years and hear their stories. Dad’s memories, along with all those of all who served on the Yorktown, live on through the continuing efforts of the Yorktown Association and its members.

We are all proud to say that we are Legacy members of the Association. The Yorktown meant the world to Dad and now it does to us, his children and grandchildren. It’s our way to honor him. So, why do we continue to support the Yorktown Association? Two words – My Dad.

Barbara (Branning) Flanagan

Tim Branning, Mary Branning, Beth Branning

Proud children of Edward A. Branning Jr.