At 12:02 a.m., July 30, 1945, Erv Hensch was in his bunk aboard the USS Indianapolis. At 4:00 a.m., he would keep watch in the engine room. But he didn't get into uniform that evening. Instead, he jumped from the ship that sunk in 12 minutes. She had been hit by two Japanese torpedoes.

The crew of the USS Indianapolis numbered 1,000 men, 316 men survived the attack on the ship. After time spent recovering in the hospital, Hensch had the task of writing 882 condolence letters to the families of the men who had died.

After 57 years, Hensch was interviewed on Memorial Day, 2002 by a radio station in Minneapolis, Minnesota about his experiences as the Assistant Chief Engineeron the USS Indianapolis.

"You come to realize that if the United States wants to remain a strong and peaceful nation, there are times when she has to fight and somebody has to do it. We were there for a purpose, defending the U.S. from the enemy," Hensch said.

Hensch also learned to get along with others by being on a 610 foot ship with 999 crew members. But the greatest lesson was that priorities change when one experiences a close encounter with death. He watched many men find their faith as they waited and hoped together for five days and four nights in the shark-infested Pacific Ocean. Many of those who survived, including Hensch, felt their lives, that were spared for a reason.

"Some of the things in life you think are important really are not and vice versa. Your priorities change," Hensch said.

As his granddaughter, I have learned from what he was taught by his experience on the USS Indianapolis. Hearing him speak about it, I have learned not to take day to day events for granted and to expect the unexpected. Our grandparents have much to teach, and all one has to do is listen.

On a different level, I realize how those in authority use what they can to escape blame for their mistakes. This is demonstrated by the court-marshalling of Captain McVey, which was reversed this year. McVey, who committed suicide after the court-marshalling, was accused of not steering the ship as ordered.

Because of the lessons I have learned from him, I greatly value the connection with my grandpa and respect his determination to inform others, especially "youngsters" as he calls anyone under 55, about war and what it is like on a personal level. From an experience such as that undergone by the crew and families of the USS Indianapolis, there are many lessons to be shared and remembered, and I am blessed to have such an opportunity.