Obituaries

Continued from Page 64 greeted by the president.

After a moment of silence, Churchill said, “At long last, Mr. President.” Roosevelt replied, “Glad to have you aboard, Mr. Churchill.” The prime minister then handed the president a letter from King George VI.

The first day’s discussions concerned Japan. Roosevelt knew that ultimately the United States must enter the war and that Germany had to be the first order of business. He believed that an early war with Japan would mean, “...the wrong war in the wrong ocean at the wrong time.”

The president had resisted economic sanctions against the Japanese Empire until mid-July when Japan occupied Indo-China. He then froze all Japanese assets in the United States; notified Japan that the Panama Canal would be closed for repairs; and announced he was cutting off all high-octane gasoline.

At the Atlantic Conference, Churchill wanted more but the president demurred, fearing that anything stronger would lead to war. As to the Atlantic, the president agreed that American ships would escort both British and American ships as far as Iceland. There the Royal Navy would assume escort duty.

Sunday morning, Roosevelt attended church services on the Prince of Wales. Aided by his son, Elliott, the president crossed the narrow gangway from the Augusta to the British battleship and then walked the entire length of the ship to his designated place, beside Churchill, on the quarterdeck.

Recalling the moment, Air ViceMarshal, W. M. Yool, said, “One got the impression of great courage and strength of character. It was obvious to everybody that he was making a tremendous effort and that he was determined to walk along the deck if it killed him.”

The following two days the two leaders and their staffs engaged in discussions. These resulted in anticipated cooperation between the two countries and their military, as well as the issuance of a statement which was released on Aug. 14, and has come to be known as the “Atlantic Charter,” a term coined by the London newspaper “The Daily Herald.” They also agreed to a joint conference with the Soviets in Moscow.

At the close of the conference, as the Prince of Wales departed, sailors from both navies lined their ships and Churchill stood at salute until the ship was out of sight, while the band played the “Star Spangled Banner.”

The Prince of Wales then sailed to Iceland where the prime minister reviewed the troops there before continuing to Scapa Flow, the base of the British Home Fleet, in Scotland.

Next week: The Battle of Kyiv Mr. Wimbrow writes from

Ocean City, Maryland, where he practices law representing those persons accused of criminal and traffic offenses, and those persons who have suffered a personal injury through no fault of their own. He can be contacted at: wimbrowlaw@gmail.com.

JASPER ALEXANDER FISHER Salisbury

Jasper Alexander Fisher, newborn son of Austin Jeremy Fisher and Lisa Marie Fisher, died Thursday, July 29, 2021 at Title Health Medical Care Center in Salisbury.

He is survived by his paternal grandmother, Christine Trott, and grandfather, Allan Trott; paternal grandfather, Kenneth Fisher; grandmother, Barbara Gaunt and grandfather, Frank Morrison; and grandfather, Richard Gaunt.

Also surviving is his maternal great-grandparents, Patricia Taylor, Rhonda Gaunt, Richard Gaunt Sr. and Faye Gaunt.

He is also survived by Richard Gaunt III, Earl Gaunt, Alec Graham, Warren Graham, David Huffman Jr. and Karlie Huffman.

Letters of condolence may be sent to the family via www.burbagefuneralhome.com.

ERIC WALLACE CROPPER Bishopville

Eric Wallace Cropper, age 48, died on Friday, July 30, 2021, at Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin.

Born in Salisbury, he was the son of the late Wallace S. Cropper, Jr. and Catherine “Diane” Casper Cropper. He is survived by his wife, Bess Cropper, and children, Eric Cropper, Jr., Eric W. Cropper Grace Cropper and Sara Cropper, all of

Bishopville.

Also surviving, are his brothers, Greg Pepper of North Carolina, and Wallace S. Cropper, lll of Berlin; sisters, Melinda Cropper of Berlin, and Kelly Joy of Florida, several nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Mr. Cropper, was a Class of 1990 graduate of Stephen Decatur High School and a 2002 graduate of Wilmington College.

He was employed as a real estate agent with NAI Coastal in Salisbury. Mr. Cropper was currently serving as President of the Board of Education for Worcester County.

He was a fifth generation member of Taylorville United Methodist Church.

With a servant’s heart, Mr. Cropper devoted his life to caring for others, and was a member of many civic organizations including Evergreen Masonic Lodge #153 AF & AM.

A devoted husband and father, he enjoyed fishing with his son, Eric, Jr., going to his baseball games and attending his daughter’s dance competitions.

A funeral service will be held Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Taylorville United Methodist Church, 11252 Adkins Rd, Berlin, Maryland 21811. Rev. Bill Littleton will officiate.

Friends may call on Thursday evening from 5-7 p.m. at the Burbage Funeral Home in Berlin, and also 9-11 a.m. on Friday morning at the church.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to: Worcester County Education Foundation, P.O. Box 32, Berlin, Maryland 21811. Letters of condolence may be sent via: www.burbagefuneralhome.com.