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00000177-2120-db48-a97f-fb22304a0000South Carolina has a rich military history, beginning in the Colonial Era. Today, the state has a significant military presence. SC Public Radio and SCETV offers news coverage of South Carolina's active bases, military personnel and veterans, and the economic and cultural impact they have on communities throughout the state and across the nation, as well as stories and profiles exploring our state's military history.

Teenage Twins Befriend a World War II Veteran aboard the USS Yorktown

The Hansen Twins Record their Story with Robert Harding in Chicago
Scott Hanson
The Hanson Twins Record their Story with Robert Harding in Chicago
Robert Harding who served aboard the USS Yorktown during World War II salutes his friends
Credit Scott Hanson
Robert Harding who served aboard the USS Yorktown during World War II salutes his friends

It's been three years since Carter and Jack Hanson were featured on CBS news for their rare friendship with a World War II veteran who served aboard the USS Yorktown.  That's when the  network set up a surprise meeting on the  ship just outside of Charleston.   They had gotten to know Robert Harding through email.  It was quite a moment as the three came face to face, and their bond has grown stronger ever since.   Now 13 years-old, the twins recently attended the Yorktown's 75th anniversary with their family, celebrating Harding who could not  be there.

"We have friend whose name is Robert Harding.  I want to know if you’ve met him,  Robert Harding?" asks Jack Hanson as he speaks  to another World War II veteran Sam Hayward, following the anniversary ceremony. 

"He worked as a plane handler," explains Jack.  "That means he  took the planes after they landed down to an elevator.  He said it was pretty hard work."  Hayward shakes his head no.

Jack (left) and Carter Hanson (middle) talk to World War II veteran Sam Hayward who served aboard the USS Yorktown
Credit Victoria Hansen
Jack (left) and Carter Hanson (middle) talk to World War II veteran Sam Hayward who served aboard the USS Yorktown

"I hate to tell you," he says.  " But the truth is I can’t remember too good now."  Hayward has quite a story himself.   He grew up in Charleston's Jenkins Orphanage and played slide trombone.  He joined the Navy to escape the south and Jim Crow laws.  He boxed on the ship and worked as a cook.  The boys listen closely, asking plenty of questions.  They talk to the  handful of World War II vets who are left.  They are extremely interested.  Reporters  who've come  to cover the ceremony have since gone.

"There are so many things that happened in history that it likes blows your mind," says Jack.  "It  shouldn’t have happened, but did happen."  It's like their friendship with Mr. Harding.  Carter says it all started with a game about battle ships.  They got to know the names of different ships and their roles in battle.  "I eventually learned about a battle ship called Yamato," he says.

The Hanson family from left to right, Lisa, Jack, Carter and Scott on the USS Yorktown for its 75th anniversary
Credit Victoria Hansen
The Hanson family from left to right, Lisa, Jack, Carter and Scott on the USS Yorktown for its 75th anniversary

"We didnt' know this ship (the Yorktown) helped sink it," says Jack.  "We started looking into ships and we were like, we're so interested.  We're so interested."  So their  parents made a surprise stop on a family trip heading from North Carolina to Florida.  They visited the USS Yorktown and as  they both like to say, "they were blown away."  That's where they met Robert Harding's sister, who gave them his email and the rest is history.

Harding could not make it to the Yorktown anniversary celebration this year  because he is recovering from a broken hip.  He turned 92 years-old in March, but unfortunately had to spend his birthday in the hospital.  The boys didn't forget.  They sent him a gift, a flag that once flew aboard the Yorktown.

"You know, I thought that was just great," says Harding by phone.  "I am very touched by the boys and their attention to me because it's so unusual that the boys are attached to somebody like me."  Harding says they email once or twice, sometimes several times a week.   "They ask questions about what happened," he says.  "But I'm getting kind of short on stories now."

"At first the emails were about the ship and war," says Scott Hanson, the boys' father.  "Now it's personal questions like how was your vacation or did you see that ball game last week?"

Autograph for Mr. Harding from Eleanore Roosevelt's great granddaughter Nancy Ireland
Credit Victoria Hansen
Autograph for Mr. Harding from Eleanore Roosevelt's great granddaughter Nancy Ireland

The family stands in line to meet the great granddaughter of Eleanor Roosevelt, Nancy Ireland.  She rechristened the ship as the former first lady originally did.  "Oh I know who you are," she says as she see the twins.  They are hard to miss; teenage boys excited by history.  What's more,  they're getting their friend a gift.  It's an autograph to Mr. Harding from the woman they excitedly call, "a real Roosevelt."

"Those are my kids," says their mom Lisa as her eyes fill with tears.  "Those are my boys."