World War II Veteran says he’s watched ‘America become America’

SALISBURY, Md. — At 102 years old, Peter McEachin is among the few remaining World War II veterans still able to share his story. But his journey began long before the war. During World War I, McEachin’s father served in Liverpool, England. Decades later, McEachin found himself standing in the same city while serving during World War II.

Where It All Started

McEachin answered the nation’s call at just 17 years old. “Every able body has to go … to defend America,” McEachin said.

He was crossing the Atlantic on his way to Europe when Germany surrendered. Instead of returning home, McEachin learned he would continue serving because of the military’s point system, which determined who would remain on active duty. “I had only 34 points, so I was bound to go,” McEachin said.

He was sent to England, arriving in Liverpool, where his father had landed during World War I.

Following In His Father’s Footsteps

“They took us to England and, as a matter of fact, we landed at Liverpool, which is the same place my father landed in World War I,” McEachin said.

Standing where his father once stood connected him to a part of his father’s life that had rarely been discussed. “It took away a lot of things. I was wondering how it affected him, and I still don’t know,” McEachin said.

That experience also helped him understand the silence they shared. His father never spoke about the war, and neither did he.

“Really, he never talked about it. Just like me. I really haven’t talked about it either with my kids,” McEachin said.

Some memories are difficult to revisit, while others are impossible to explain. Standing in Liverpool, McEachin said he felt connected to his father as though he were standing beside him.

“I think the uniqueness did it, because how many have the same experience?” McEachin said.

His father died when McEachin was 10 years old after suffering injuries in a sawmill accident. “A father is so important because I know what happened to us after he passed,” McEachin said.

That connection stayed with him as the war continued and he crossed another ocean.

Another Turning Point In History

“We were sent over there, really to invade Japan. That would have been a hell of a battle. Not many of us would have returned from that,” McEachin said.

Before he ever stepped onto Japanese soil, history changed course. The United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing the war to an end and sparing countless American troops from an invasion.

“That saved me,” McEachin said. “It seemed as though I was just lucky. Even so, I felt sorry for those people. Nobody except the Japanese knows how destructive that bomb is.”

Watching ‘America become America’

By 19, McEachin had crossed two oceans and witnessed history unfold. When he returned home, he faced segregation.

“To be segregated in your own country — that was terrible. I’m telling you, it was terrible psychologically,” McEachin said.

Despite that experience, his patriotism never wavered.

“I was willing to do anything for the country,” McEachin said. “Education and honesty — those are the two philosophies that have guided me from the time I was a kid until now.”

At 102, McEachin said he has watched America struggle, change and grow, and he still believes in the promise of one nation, united and free.

“That’s the good thing about being 102. I’ve seen America become America,” McEachin said. “I always thought America would become America not for just a few people, but for all the people. That’s the way America is now.”

As the nation marks its 250th birthday, McEachin hopes Americans remember what binds them together.

“Love your country,” he said. “The United States of America is the best country in the whole world.”