November 11 is a day reserved for stories of bravery, honor and sacrifice, to help remind civilians of the legacy carried by the nation’s service members. The men and women of the armed forces have faced many fights, but for two veterans in Pierre, the power of friendship and service transcends generations.
From serving in Vietnam to retirement in Gettysburg, SD, Boiler Operator Number Two Jim Shea has experienced quite the life.
“I got to see quite a bit of the world. My parents owned a small newspaper in Wisconsin. My mother was the editor, so she sent me this diary in 1964. And I got just about everything I did every day in here."
Each page holds a memory from his time in the Navy. But this day is a special one.
“Today's my last day!”
Jim has myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood cancer, but he's not fighting alone.
“Hey, Jim!” calls a voice from the hall. Fellow Navy veteran, Lieutenant Claire Peschong is sitting alongside for his chemo.
“We sweetly call him Navy Jim,” said Lt. Peschong.
“Well, one of the nurses said there was a Navy couple in the other room, so they came and talked to me,” said Shea.
“And we had stopped by Jim when he had first started doing his chemo and just introduced and we bantered a little bit like us sailors do,” laughed Lt. Peschong.
The two veterans swap stories and reflect on their shared naval experience to help pass the time during Jim's appointments. A favor he returns to Claire during hers.
“I've been in some extreme situations before, but never once have I experienced shock. And I had the full symptoms of shock when Dr. Jason Jones gave me the diagnosis,” said Lt. Peschong.
At 36, Claire was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and has endured several bouts with chemo and other treatments.
“Well, I'm coming up on my six-year anniversary. And I'm still existing,” said Lt. Peschong.
For her latest tour, Navy Jim has been close by.
“When we do have infusions on the same days, like today and even last week, we take a minute and we chat,” said Lt. Peschong.
Their friendship, although separated by a generation, is just the medicine for a little extra strength and encouragement.
“It's fun to have somebody to reminisce with, the sea stories!” joked Lt. Peschong.
It's amazing, you know, I mean, for you to be able to talk to someone that's dealing with what you're dealing with,” said Shea.
“I just enjoy it so much,” said Lt. Peschong.
“I enjoy it too. You remind me a lot of my daughter,” said Shea.
“I might remind you of your daughter, but you remind me of every brother I had in the Navy. So, it's a family thing,” said Lt. Peschong.
Their diseases are stable, but not gone and will require continued monitoring. While Jim may be turning the page on this chapter with his treatment, as long as Claire is in her infusion chair, he won't be far away.
“The neat thing about this journey is all of the guys like Jim that wear their hats and they're sitting in the Helmsley Center and I see them. And I'm not alone,” said Lt. Peschong.
