by Irene Daniel
It's been a week since the 72 year old wreckage of the USS Indianapolis was located by an expedition financed by Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft. And what a week it has been for Adolfo "Harpo" Celaya, one the 19 survivors of the worst naval disaster in U.S. history, who is still alive today.
Harpo is my neighbor and friend and I have the privilege of working for him, serving as his personal assistant, i.e., driver, cook, caretaker and unofficial consigliere. We've been busy.
On the afternoon of Saturday, August 19, 2017, I ambled over to Harpo's house with my dog, Maggie (who adores him because he shares his bacon with her every morning). He wasn't watching golf, which is what he usually does on week-end afternoons. I found him resting and asked him what was up with his golf-less state. He said he wasn't feeling too well and then he said, "They found the Indianapolis."
His tone was neither excited, nor morose, but still a bit heavy. I really couldn't believe it, but when he told me that he had received calls not only from his daughter, Dee Dee, but from Mrs. Gwyn, widow of the pilot, the angel, who found them in the Pacific Ocean, I knew it had to be true. And I knew that my friend had just boarded an emotional roller-coaster, the likes of which I can never know. What could I do to help him in this moment?
We decided that movies would provide a good escape pod, so I went to the library to check out some silly movies to chase away the bitter-sweet memories. It only took over 4 hours to watch one because his phone was ringing almost non-stop. Family and friends from all over the US and Canada were reaching out to him. Also, Sara Vladic, director of the internationally critically acclaimed documentary, USS Indianapolis: The Legacy, as well as one of her producers called. Sara told us that she had been trying to get through to him for hours, but he was always on the phone.
By Saturday afternoon we had Phoenix affiliate ABC 15 at his door. Mike Pelton and his producer Karan Deardorff could not have been more effusive. Their enthusiasm for the story and the honor of meeting Harpo lifted the energy of the room, as well as Harpo's spirits. Kudos to them on their scoop and wonderful piece. In case you missed it, here is a link: http://www.abc15.com/news/national/researchers-find-wreckage-of-wwii-era-uss-indianapolis.
The next day we went out to breakfast and when we entered McDonald's, a man who was exiting saw his Indianapolis survivor cap and was immediately hit with a speechless awe. "Thank you for service," he said. That afternoon we had a crew from The Today Show. They were there for almost 3 hours. The next day the solar eclipse provided us with a much needed break in the action. On Tuesday we drove to the VA in Tucson for an appointment with his podiatrist. Some of the staff and people in the waiting were so very aware and appreciative, and some came up to shake his hand and to chat.
Wednesday brought another interview with Paul Loeffler, voice of the Fresno State Bulldogs and host of the radio program, Hometown Heroes. He had interviewed Harpo many years ago and wanted an update on where Harpo was all of this news of the Indy wreckage.
On Thursday, we drove to Tucson again; this time at the invitation of Don Dickinson, history teacher extraordinaire at TUSD University High School, to speak to one of his classes. The Harp, as I call him, was greeted with a much deserved hero's welcome, which included lots and lots of Tucson media. They all wanted him to answer, "just a couple of questions," which always turned into much more than that, but Harpo was glad to accommodate all of them. We didn't leave until they had all the quotes and footage they needed, a gracious generosity for a 90 year old man in triple digit heat. This after an hour in Mr. Dickinson's classroom talking about the ordeal. The students were most respectful and attentive. I saw the awe inspiring wonder in their eyes.
By Friday, we were both physically and emotionally drained. But it was a good tired, one steeped in the satisfaction of putting it out there and doing one's best. And all of these events were interspersed with the mundane chores of daily living: grocery shopping, keeping the house picked up in the event of more visitors, doctor's appointments, running errands, watching the college championship on Jeopardy and walking the dog. The A/C in his truck conked out mid-week and we had to deal with that too.
And now we prepare for the next onslaught of publicity as our little town prepares to rename our post office after him; an honor usually bestowed posthumously. Family and friends from other places are making travel arrangements and all the media outlets will be here again. And the house will swell with the laughter of those who have the privilege to know the Harp.
As I reflect on the week, two themes stay with me. First, I think of those students and where they will be in a decade. And I wonder about all the students who have been blessed with a visit from this extraordinary man. Harp's been doing this kind of thing for over a decade and has been to many, many classrooms like this one. Many of those students are now adults, perhaps with children of their own. Perhaps, when they heard the news, they exclaimed, "Hey, I know that guy! He came to my class!" And maybe they're telling their kids, their students, their friends, their employees and employers about this story that we cannot afford to forget. And I think of all the other survivors who have been doing the same and I hope that it will create a great ripple effect; one that is forged in their grit, and honors their unspeakable sacrifice.
But even more than that, one imprint stays with me, and always will. Every time I watch people respond to Harpo -- and I mean every single time -- it does something to me inside; something happens in the very core of my soul. It is always inspiring and usually leaves me with a lump in my throat; one that stays there until I can come back to my own home in my own space and just cry. I cry tears of sorrow and loss, but I also cry tears of joy and inspiration.
I am lucky to be an American! I am lucky have Harpo in my life! And our hometown of Florence, AZ is lucky to have the privilege of boasting of our very own hometown hero!
Copyright 2017, Irene Daniel, all rights reserved.
