WWII veteran’s life, service celebrated in memorial service

NORTH NAPLES, Fla.- More than 100 hundred people attended a memorial service for a World War II veteran who died on Monday. Addison Skaggs was 93.

“He was loved by so many,” said Jim Albert, a close friend of Skaggs.

For those that knew Skaggs, his patriotism will forever live on.

“He did not consider himself a hero by any stretch of the imagination, never even thought of the word until he was told ‘you’re a hero to us,'” said Albert.

Skaggs served in the U. S. Navy.

“He lived underwater for three years, he fired torpedoes at the Japanese, he took that seriously,” said Albert.

Albert tells WINK News he met Skaggs more than two years ago. He said his favorite memory was when they went on the honor flight together last October. “That was probably one of the best days of my life when it comes to how close we bonded during the flight.”

During Friday’s memorial service, Skaggs’ daughter and granddaughter were presented with the American Flag.

Albert said that’s just one of many recognition warranted. “He deserves every, every honor he gets, no doubt about.”

Skaggs final resting place will be at Arlington National Cemetery. He will be interned there in the next few months.