Sailor’s son returns to Marines Memorial
It was emotional day for the Skoog Family of Illinois when they brought their father George ‘down under” to see the memorial to his father Alva Skoog who was drowned in the landing tragedy on Paekakariki beach in June 1943.
George Skoog was only seven years old when his father drowned. His 80th birthday present trip to New Zealand courtesy of his oldest son, George (junior) was a moving affair. In fact, George funded the whole family: Mother Nancy, and younger brothers, Scott and Andrew on the trip in December 2015.
The family joined members of the Trust for a short personal service at the Marines Memorial, a visit to the site of the landing incident, and morning tea in Raumati.
Aged 32, Alva Skoog was the Boatswain’s mate on LCVP 6 when it capsized. He was the oldest of the ten sailors who lost their lives in the tragedy and believed to be the only one who had a child. Kia Kaha George Skoog.
