His official Navy photograph in sailor’s uniform forever shows a radiant smile and even as that smile crinkles his eyes almost shut, from his eyes you see a young man happy with a giant sailor’s hat who probably got some riffing for that and took it with pride and humor.

On Jan. 27, 2024, Holyoke’s son, Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class Merle Chester Joseph Hillman, who was killed during the Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941, was buried in the family plot, with full military honors. He was killed at age 25, the seemingly average age of the sailors who saluted him, folded the flag, shot the rifles and stood at attention in his honor.

The soulful ceremony celebrating the Purple Heart recipient who was classified as MIA until last October, included family members and squadrons of veterans in leather jackets with patches of duty and service. They surrounded the sacred ground of Merle’s resting place at St. Jerome’s Cemetery, holding the American flags at full attention.

A promise made, a promise kept. Never forget. Always loyal. Semper fi is the Marine’s promise to one another, but it is universal for the men and women who were drafted and signed up to protect the United States.

Author’s note (Natalia Muñoz, daughter of veterans): Maybe the most heroic thing Merle did in the Navy was to show up for duty as required by the draft. Maybe he did other heroic acts. Nonetheless, cemeteries nationwide and worldwide, and Arlington in Washington DC in particular, are filled with such heroes, drafted and volunteers. They showed up. Wherever their orders took them.

See form obituary here.