Sherwin Callander served in Pearl Harbor recovery effort
World War II veteran Sherwin Callander enjoys the scenery in Honolulu, Hawaii. CONTRIBUTED
LIFESTYLES -- FEATURE SPOT, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
10:44 pm Thursday, December 14, 2017

Sherwin Callander served in Pearl Harbor recovery effort

MADISON – Sherwin Callander never knew the impact that he would make on his new town when he drove his vintage Volvo wagon from south Florida in 2009.

Since arriving in Madison, 97-year-old Callander was charmed people across North Alabama with his irrepressible spirit and personality. As a veteran of World War II, Callander was become the unofficial spokesperson for Madison with his visits to local events, school assemblies and commemorative war sites around the world.

Born in Canada in 1920, Callander was three years old when his family moved to the United States. During the Great Depression, he returned to Canada to live with his grandparents when he was 12.

In the 1930s, Callander worked in a Civilian Conservation Corps or CCC camp in California when he was 15 years old. “I made $30 a month — $25 went home,” he said.

“I wasn’t drafted. I enlisted before the war in 1939. I just got caught in it. I was proud of everything I did,” he said.

In December 1941, Callander was stationed at Wake Island and repaired airplanes. “We were coming back from Pearl one beautiful moonlit night, and a Japanese carrier passed us … on its way to Pearl Harbor.”

Then the world stood still. After Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Callander and his shipmates sailed to Hawaii for the recovery effort. “We helped with cleanup. Bodies were in the water,” he said. “When you lifted a head out of the water, you didn’t know if a body would be attached.”

In June 2014, Callander and fellow World War II veterans visited Normandy. “All of the people (in France) respected us so much. That was an awesome trip,” Callander said.

In 2016, the French Consul presented the French Legion of Honor, the country’s highest military award, to Callander. He also has visited the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C. with Honor Flight.

In early December, Callander bid bon voyage to Bob Jones High School Band members before they flew to Hawaii to perform at Pearl Harbor memorial ceremonies on Dec. 7.

Also on The Madison Record
Tri-agency traffic enforcement targets speeders on I-565
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By STAFF REPORTS 
July 16, 2025
MADISON  – In a united front to crack down on excessive speeding, the Huntsville Police Department (HPD), Madison County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) and t...
Local athletes set for North-South battles
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Bob Labbe 
July 16, 2025
MADISON - Some of the top rising senior high school athletes are about to invade the Alabama Capitol City of Montgomery July 21-25 for the 29th annual...
NASA, Orion to host Marshall’s 65th anniversary celebration this Saturday
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
Staff Reports 
July 16, 2025
HUNTSVILLE - NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center is inviting the community to help celebrate the center’s 65th anniversary during a free public event ...
Chamber needs nominations for ‘Military Family of the Year’
A: Main, Business, Events, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 16, 2025
MADISON – Madison Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to identify a family who has upheld a strong commitment to country and community. The c...
ADOC: Health care worker tried to smuggle meth, narcotics into correctional facility
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Staff Reports 
July 16, 2025
LIMESTONE COUNTY - A health care employee was arrested Friday for allegedly attempting to transport almost 200 grams of methamphetamine and other narc...
Central Office values Becky Tucker as ‘Staff Member of the Year’
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 16, 2025
MADISON – Becky Turner doesn’t get hung up on labels. No matter her job title, Tucker feels called to be a servant leader. Her colleagues at Central O...
Brett Burgess named ‘Teacher of the Year’ at James Clemens
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 16, 2025
MADISON – Brett Burgess wanted to work in Madison City Schools for association with the best in his field, both academic and coaching. James Clemens H...
Olivia Skillern named James Clemens theatre department’s artistic director
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
July 16, 2025
MADISON – For Olivia Skillern, it’s ‘as if I never said goodbye’ (to quote a line from “Sunset Boulevard”). With her new job in the Theatre Department...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Our Latest E-edition
Latest Stories
YUM! Spicy yet savory poppers
MADISON - Your guests won’t be able to have just one of these sweet and savory poppers. With a touch of heat from the cayenne pepper, and sweetness fr...
July 16, 2025
poll