THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511170735
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Lorie Gomez
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
When Col. Sheppard Crump, then acting adjutant general of the Virginia National Guard, asked the commanding officer of the soon-to-be-dedicated Chesapeake Armory for the name of a native son to name the facility for, the answer came quickly.
Lt. Col. Clarence E. Forehand responded that the honor should be given to ``a native son who on 25 August 1945, after a glorious battle record, paid the supreme sacrifice on the field of battle.'' That man was South Norfolk native Capt. Frederick E. Consolvo Jr.
Consolvo enlisted in Battery B, 111th Field Artillery, Virginia National Guard, in 1932. After graduating from South Norfolk High School in 1933, he entered the Apprentice School at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He had just completed his apprenticeship when his division was called to federal service on Feb. 3, 1941.
Forehand wrote, ``Fred probably could have avoided the service had he so chosen, since at that time he not only held a critical job in one of our government defense establishments, but he was a father of two children as well as the possessor of bad eyes.'' However, ``he anxiously donned his beloved soldier's uniform and chose to follow the path of brave men.''
Forehand included with his request the text from Consolvo's final letter to his parents:
``What does it matter whether I live a few hours more, as long as I procure eternal spiritual life? I have no fear of death. If I have to leave this earthly life at an early age because I fight for freedom, religion and the right of happiness for all men, it is an honor and I know my death will not be in vain.
``Yes, I know that war is a dirty, miserable sore that is eating out the soul of humanity, but we must fight to save what we can, the same as a doctor cuts human flesh to remove a cancer. I was born to be a soldier, knew as a boy that fate had decided my career, played soldier as a boy, joined the Boy Scouts for the training it offered until I was of age to join the military service and have no misgivings for the path it offered.
``I will never be able to repay or thank you and Dad enough for the happiness you gave me, but I can say you were the best parents I could possibly have had and my only concern is that if I should fall in battle, that it would upset you and Evelyn (his wife) too much.
``Please, I don't want this to happen. Just remember me as the little boy I was at the same age my little Freddie is now, and even if I should leave, a part of me would live in him. My only regret would be that I could not provide and protect my wife and children and parents, should I have to answer the call up yonder.
``Good night, Mother and Dad. God bless you, and understand what I am trying to say. Love, Fred.'' by CNB