Thursday, December 21, 2023

World War II Hero Passes, Rest in Peace

 Dr. Hal Caver passed away yesterday.  He served as a Marine sniper in the Pacific Theater in World War II. 

Dr. Caver saw his first action in Guadalcanal and took part in the Battle of Hacksaw Ridge. He served his country, came back home, became a dentist, and served his community.  My favorite story about him involved baby boxes.  He found out decades ago that when a woman miscarried or had a stillborn infant, the hospital gave the mother the deceased in a cardboard box.  He didn't think that was appropriate so he set up shop in his back yard and proceeded to make "baby boxes" out of wood, donating them to the hospital upon completion.  He performed this labor of love for many years.  

His hobby was fly fishing and he was always good for a fish story.  I met him at the Lakeland Courthouse right after I completed basic training in the 1990's.  We quickly struck up a friendship that lasted until yesterday.  I had the pleasure of taking him to see Ben-Hur and Lawrence of Arabia when their anniversary showings appeared at the theatre a few years ago.  He particularly enjoyed Ben-Hur as the ending moved aged combat veteran to tears.  

Oh yes, the combat.  He never spoke of it but said it took decades for the nightmares to finally fade away.  He was a hero when this country needed heroes.  Simply put, he was a good man who was kind to all and a friend to many.   He was in his late 90's when he passed away.   Farewell, my friend.  Semper Fi!

Posted below is my interview with him on WJNT in 2014.  Enjoy. 


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11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Americas greatest generation.

Anonymous said...

RIP Brother. Semper Fi.

Anonymous said...

Hand salute!

Anonymous said...

11:19, they are leaving us fast and in a hurry. Our world is a better place due to those men and women.

My father fought in the pacific theater as a B-24 pilot bombing Japanese ground, naval, supply targets and fighting air born threats as well.

My sisters and I were going to purchase a ride on a B-24 for him quite a few years ago. I'll never forget his reply when we asked if he'd like to take the ride.

His reply was........"I spent the most terrifying times of my life in the left seat of one of those. HELL no I don't want a ride!"



May he rest in peace.

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Kingfish for bringing this story to life

shadyal said...

He and I both were International Ballet Competition volunteers.
Always upbeat and friendly..a pleasure to be around..
Godspeed Doctor!

Anonymous said...

🇺🇲

Anonymous said...

Great post Kingfish. Wish I had known this man. God knows we are lacking great men such as this nowadays. Rest peacefully marine...job well done!

Anonymous said...

I had the Wonderful Privilege of knowing Dr. Caver. My wife lives across the hall from him at the Arbor. Each Day he would station himself outside her door and Shush and Shoo
Noisy Neighbors and Staff away so that she could Rest Peacefully. He was Thrilled that Deb called Him "Pop". If She inquires about "Pop", I'm going to Lie.

Anonymous said...

Was fortunate to know him. Was a great man who will be missed. Truly the Greatest Generation.

John Berry said...

Mayor of Eastwood, movie extra, played cards with John Wayne, dog lover, dentist, Marine, proficient handyman……..Friend.


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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