#7: Honoring a Pearl Harbor Survivor

Robert Van Druff

Last week I had the privilege of spending some time with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Van Druff at their home in Brookeville, MD. Recently, while speaking to someone about our 52 Acts of Kindness campaign, it was brought to my attention that Mr. Van Druff who is a member of my community is one of the last remaining Pearl Harbor survivors. What an honor it was to meet with the Van Druff's and listen to them recount their experiences during WWII. After surviving the attack at Pearl Harbor, Mr. Van Druff was part of the U.S. military operation that fought the Japanese across the Pacific, "One island at a time." Mr. Van Druff would ultimately serve 22 years in the Navy, also seeing extensive combat in the Korean War. This article contains Mr. Van Druff's first hand account of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

There is a beautiful painting hanging in the living room of the Van Druff's home of Pearl Harbor the morning of December 7, 1941, just before the attack. It was painted by a friend of Mr. Van Druff and clearly is very meaningful to them. It was a highlight of my experience to have Mr. Van Druff share the story behind the painting with me and narrate the scene to me, including identifying the ship that he was on during the attack. As a person with a strong interest in American history, what an experience this was to have an opportunity to speak with someone who lived through one of the most significant days in our history. In Tom Brokaw's book, The Greatest Generation, he poignantly describes how the WWII generation literally saved the world and freedom as we know it, yet they are a very humble and unassuming group. The Van Druff's are no different. They are obviously very proud of their accomplishments but also very humble. I cannot strongly encourage people enough to seek out members of this generation and spend some time with them before it is too late. We can all stand to learn from their example of service and commitment as well as their sense of community. In this technology age we live in we have lost a lot of those core values the Greatest Generation lived by and we should seize the opportunity to re-instill them in ourselves and our children while we have the chance.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Van Druff are 93 years old and have been married for over 70 years. It seemed appropriate to honor them last week (Valentines Day) to also celebrate their long lasting relationship. I brought Mrs. Van Druff a bouquet of flowers and Mr. Van Druff a challenge coin from my agency as a small token of appreciation for his service. I also prepared them a home cooked meal for dinner as it is difficult for them to cook. My small act of kindness was overshadowed by the appreciation I had for being able to spend time with such gracious and interesting people. I hope to take Mrs. Van Druff up on her offer to stop by any time to visit and continue to get to know them better.

If you would like to send the Van Druff's a card expressing appreciation and support I know it would mean a lot to them. You may send it to:

Mark Janney
Special Investigations Division
100 Edison Park Dr.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878



Mr. Van Druff placing a wreath at a monument honoring Marylanders killed during the Pearl Harbor attack.



Pearl Harbor during the attack

#6 Act of Kindness and Remembrance: Sgt. Bruce Prothero

Sgt. Bruce Prothero

Baltimore County Police Department

This weeks entry is written by Lee Wiley, Signal 13 Training Instructor

Sometimes our lives are changed by a seemingly insignificant moment. For me, this moment was brief and came when I was a senior in college.  I had no clear goals in life or any role models.  My friend and former roommate, Bruce Prothero, had just completed the Baltimore County Police Academy and shared his experiences as a Cadet and young police officer.  It wasn't necessarily the words, as it was the excitement in between the words that was enticing.  For a senior with no clear path, a light came on.  After 25 years in law enforcement, this light has never burned out.  

      But for my friend, and now role model, his light burned out on February 7, 2000.  The circumstances surrounding his death are typical in our line of work.  While moonlighting at a jewelry store to make extra money to support his wife and 5 children, gunmen entered the store.  As the robbers left, Bruce pursued them and was gunned down in the parking lot.

      This is not a story about Bruce’s death though, but rather about his life and how it affected me.  Engraved on the national law enforcement memorial in Washington D.C. are the words, “it was not how these officers died that made them heroes; it is how they lived.

      Bruce lived life to the fullest and included everyone.  He convinced me to transfer to Towson State my junior year and live with him while he finished his college career.  We got jobs together working on the event staff at the Towson Center.   While working late one night at the Towson Center building a stage for the one hit wonders “The Hooters,” Bruce and I stumbled upon coolers containing steaks for the band.  A large slab of meat was acquired and brought back to our room.  A pair of sunglasses and a fake beard was placed upon the meat and pictures were taken.  This was our first venture into undercover work.  Bruce cut and seasoned the meat and the occupants of the 6^th floor of Tower C at Towson State ate like kings.

       As spring break neared, Bruce began to talk about taking a trip to Daytona Beach.  My first thoughts were how would we get there and where would we stay?  We worked out that we would stay at his uncle’s place, and take my car which Bruce had nicknamed Adam 12.  Adam 12 was a 1980 Ford Fairmount Futura with plaid interior which I thought would never survive the trip.  But Bruce insisted Adam 12 was tough, just like the police officers in the show and it would make it.  And as Bruce, Ann, Amy and I pulled into Daytona it did make it.  

       During this short week, I observed first hand Bruce’s love for Ann, his then girlfriend who eventually became his wife.  What I will always remember is his devotion to her and their 5 children.  But on that spring day with graduation nearing and no clear purpose in sight, it was his excitement that I will remember as he spoke about his police experiences.  Words that spoke of duty, honor and making a difference, however small it may be.  His words shaped me.

        Where do we get husbands, fathers and police officers like Bruce?  Where do people with such compassion, bravery, and unselfishness come from?  Only God knows. But I thank you God.  I thank you for bringing Bruce into my life, and giving me direction and purpose for these last 25 years.   

       Each year on the anniversary of Bruce's death his mother would visit his grave and a memorial in his honor that is located outside the jewelry store where he was killed. She would leave pennies at each location because as a child Bruce collected pennies. For this weeks Act of Kindness/Remembrance, we are collecting pennies that will be donated to the Baltimore County Police Memorial Fund. Among other things, this fund is used to provide scholarships to children of Baltimore County Police Officers who die in the line of duty. Since Bruce's five children are at or near college age now, this seemed like an appropriate thing to do.

     If you would like to make a contribution to the Baltimore County Police Memorial Fund you will find information on how to do so here. If you would like to send Sgt. Prothero's family a letter or card with support and encouragement you can send them to:

Bruce Prothero Family

c/o Detective Lee Wiley 

Special Investigations Division

100 Edison Park Drive

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

#5 Act of Kindness/Remembrance: Capt. David Shultz

Captain David Shultz

   On January 31, 2008, Captain David Shultz, of the Army 82nd Airborne Division, was killed by an enemy mortar while on a tour of duty in Iraq. Captain Shultz was only 25 years old. He was married and his wife, Sabrina, gave birth to their son, Logan, on Fathers day while Captain Shultz was serving his country oversees. He was able to visit his son during December for just a few days before being deployed back to Iraq. Within weeks of this deployment Captain Shultz was killed. His son was just 7 months old at the time. He will grow up never knowing his father.

   Captain Shultz was known for having a generous spirit. While in Iraq he took pleasure in collecting soccer balls and school supplies and delivering them to the children. He organized several shipments of these donations from people in his hometown of Blue Island, Illinois. He said in an email at the time, "Seeing the smiles on the Iraqi children's faces when you bring them the school supplies they need is one of the greatest things I have experienced over here."

   Captain Shultz' father, David, Sr., was a police officer for the Blue Island (Illinois) Police Department. In conducting research for this entry I learned that it is easy to see "the apple did not fall far from the tree." Captain Shultz' father was a dedicated public servant for 30 years. Read this article about a horrifying experience Sgt. Shultz endured; a glimpse of the difficult things police officers endure each day. Sgt. David Shultz was no exception. Here is an example of a heroic act by Sgt. Shultz, in which he pulled a handicapped man from a burning car. Sadly, I have learned that Sgt. Shultz died of cancer at the age of 53 just over a year after his son was killed in Iraq. 

   How blessed we are to have heroes and role models like David Shultz, Sr. and David Shultz, Jr. Their dedication and unselfish service to their community and country should be emulated by all of us, and their sacrifices should never be forgotten.

   This week I honored Captain Shultz on the five year anniversary of his death. I participated in the Armed Services Blood Program by donating platelets. A very small contribution to make in support of our troops by providing a critical and much needed resource that may save their lives. My donation was made at the ASBP location in the Navy Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. It was the first time I had ever donated platelets and I was a bit apprehensive, not knowing what to expect. But my fears were quickly alleviated by the staff who could not have been more friendly and appreciative. If you have donated blood but never platelets the only significant difference is that platelet donation takes longer (about two hours). I am proud to report that I was told my donation was enough to supply two patients! I strongly encourage everyone to participate in this vital program and support the troops! You can learn more about the program and schedule an appointment at their website here. 

  In addition to donating platelets in honor of Captain Shultz, and in keeping with his spirit of giving to children, we purchased a few basketballs and some school supplies and donated them to the Tree House (Child Assessment Center of Montgomery County, MD). The Tree House provides critical and comprehensive services to abused children. You can learn more about the Tree House here.

  Finally, I would ask all of you to take a minute to read this article for more details about Captain Shultz and his sacrifice. I hope this blog continues to inspire people to commit some act of kindness, however small, in honor of a police officer or service member. There are so many compelling stories like the Shultz family. So many have made the ultimate sacrifice and must be remembered. It is important for the world to know that five years after Captain Shultz was killed his legacy is still very much alive as he inspired a perfect stranger to donate platelets to help save the lives of fellow service members and to follow his lead of providing sporting equipment and school supplies to children in need.