I John Herrick was born November 1, 1948 in Bangor, Maine, we were living in Charleston, Maine at the time
What store did you love to go to as a child?
What keepsakes or family heirlooms do I treasure most?
The first keepsake that comes to mind is what remains of the beautiful and fragile set of fine ceramic dishes my father brought home from Japan after World War II. I still have a few pieces — a pitcher without its top, a serving bowl, and a cup — all beautifully trimmed in gold.
When our dad was in the Navy, he served on several warships in the Pacific theater. During the formal end of World War II — marked by the Japanese Instrument of Surrender signed on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945 — our father was aboard an ammunition ship. That ship was ordered to leave the bay during the ceremony, since no one wanted to risk an incident like an explosion that could have disrupted the proceedings.
During that time, our dad was able to purchase a full set of fine china
, including serving dishes, cups, saucers — maybe fifty pieces in all. The few that remain today are a vivid reminder of what can happen to such delicate treasures.
In our home in Maine, we had a corner cupboard with shelves running all the way to the floor. It was about 1947 (before or just after I was born, I imagine) when Dad returned home. He went to work, and Mom was in the kitchen. My older sister, who was just learning to walk, was toddling around the house.
Mom said she began hearing some strange sounds — a crash, a tinkle, and a flush. At first, she didn’t think much of it; it wasn’t very loud, so she dismissed it. But after a while, she decided to investigate.
To her surprise, she found my sister methodically taking piece after piece of the fine, delicate dishes from the cupboard, carrying them into the bathroom, and smashing them into the toilet. She must have liked the tinkling sound they made! Then she would flush — and our fine china went right down the drain.
Much of the set was gone that day, but the few surviving pieces have become cherished keepsakes — reminders of both my father’s journey and one unforgettable family story.