The Best D@%n Iris Party Ever!
Saturday 9th June 2007 dawned cool and gray and rain threatened all morning. A team of friends and neighbors descended on Captain Rommel's house to clean, polish, cook and prep. In the preceding week others had worked all over the garden so the apple trees were trimmed, the topiary looked perfect and the iris were best displayed - despite the battering the previous week's rain had given them. Tents were raised and a temporary floor laid for the band. Whatever the day brought - everyone was determined that this would be the "Best Damn Iris Party Ever!"
Dan Ferreira and his Meadowlarks set up in a tent on the lawn and played to the arriving honored guest - Captain Herb Rommel USN (Ret), his guests, the family and the neighborhood where he has lived these past 40 years. Friends and guests arrived through the afternoon to share memories of Herb's late wife Mary and to enjoy the house, gardens and family they had made together.
The weather was kind and though it was cool - it never rained. Tubby the cat was reunited with Herb. Guests danced, shared good cheer and food. The afternoon finished with Herb and guests singing "God Bless America" to match Herb's take on his life: "I have been lucky and I have been blessed".
Later that night Herb passed in his sleep.
Herb Rommel - www.herbrommel.com
Herb Rommel - as he and his shipmates remember Pearl Harbor
Herb Rommel - as he told it to me - BBC People's War
At the time the BBC piece was written I got a couple of dates wrong - but the story is as Herb told it.
Labels: Herb Rommel, Pearl Harbor
posted by Graeme | 6/10/2007 09:03:00 AM
Copyright © 1960-2009 Graeme J.W.Smith
7 Comments:
He was a man among men, a great example to me and my sons.
We will always treasure the times we shared together, the supportive conversations, the careing sugggestions, the checking in and required (for young boys)(action complete)follow-up.
He was a true friend to those he allowed to know him and I will always miss; his humor, his politics, his wisdom and careing and himself.
We all know though he is happy again now reunited with his beloved Mary.
My sadness is so lightened by his joy.
I am very sorry to hear that Herb passed he was a giant in the USCS
and I enjoyed corresponding with him and sharing our hobby.
He will be truly missed, but he can now "Rest your oar sailor", Bravo Zulu.
Jim Hanson
uscss#7871
When I returned to Newport in 1992 after years of naval service I wanted to race Rhodes 19s. I asked CHNYC members what to do; they said "Follow Herb!" Indeed, many of us followed his leadership, his keen sense of sportsmanship and fair play. He set the standard for more than two decades and I wish him well as he sails over the horizon to a port from which he can rest in peace.
Chuck Kesson
“His bark was worse than his bite” is an understatement. My initial introduction to Capt. Herb Rommel admittedly provoked instant intimidation in me. It was intriguing to learn (quickly) that under this Tough-Guy veneer lay one of the softest, kindest and biggest hearts I have ever known. The world is a better place for the Captain’s presence in it. His legacy includes the well known bravery and leadership of his Navy career; lesser known, perhaps, are his tireless efforts as a true champion of the underdog. I am honored and grateful to have known him. Thank you, Captain, for your hospitality and fun times with you & Beth at the NYYC and your home!
SUCH a great skipper! I will severely miss him.
I had several skippers and Herb was the best. Which was amazing since Herb was not given proper training to do so in the rush of the war.
I made sure he didn't make mistakes. I only told him at our Wilkes reunion that I had taken charge a couple of times and changed course a bit.
Herb was shocked!!!!!
But I waited to tell him.
Herb always treated me like a son, even though he was my boss. The crew loved him. I wish my health would let me come to the Memorial Service, but the doctors say no.
I came to know Herb through a club we belonged to together. It is a club that plays the board game "AXIS AND ALLIES" I was proud to draw him as an opponent in one of the tournaments the club ran. Since I am a WW II buff I was delighted to find out Herb was a pearl harbor veteran. My Dad served in the eigth airforce doing daylight bombing runs over Germany, and Herb commented "it was tough duty" this comming from a sailor that served in the early days of the war against the mighty Imperial Japanese Navy. Herb was gracious enough to share with me some of his wartime experiences, I will miss him, and I know I speak for the rest of our club that we were proud to have "the FOX" as a member. My condolences to his friends and family. Walter Hand aka "STRATEGICSPOCK"
Herb and I communicated mostly by e-mail, although we have spoken by phone over the years. We had a mutual love of the Navy to share but also our collecting habits. I collect Navy envelopes that have been cancelled by ships, as did Herb. My special interest is those which have been cancelled by the USS Constitution during its famous last cruise around the US from 1931 to 1934. Herb kept me busy collecting, as we were both members of the USCS. He also helped me start a collecting hobby for one of my grandsons, for which I am ever grateful.
May he rest in peace..a great shipmate and friend.
Very Respectfully,
Donald P. Galamaga
CAPT USN Ret
30 White Rock Rd
Warwick, RI 02889
dgalamaga@prodigy.net
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