At 94 years old, Harold Ball is living proof that some missions take a lifetime to complete. And that love, perseverance, and family can help fulfill a decades-long journey of sharing his story in print, ensuring it will be forever remembered.
A Heroic Life
A proud Navy veteran and resident of Traditions of Hilliard senior living community, Harold recently fulfilled a decades-long dream: publishing his book, Cry of the Sparrows. The book, which he began writing nearly 50 years ago, recounts his service in the U.S. Navy around 1949, including a harrowing and heroic chapter. Harold helped to rescue people from the communist takeover of China while aboard a small Navy LCI landing ship along Chinese riverways.
A Story Worth Sharing and Perserving
Harold’s story is one of courage, compassion, and quiet determination. But it’s also a story of family — especially the bond between Harold and his daughter Sue, who worked side by side with him to bring his book to life.
“Working on this book with him made me laugh even as it also made me cry,” Sue shares. “It helped me get to know my Dad better than I ever had, because so many of these details from the Navy were things he never talked about.”
Sue is so proud of her father. She speaks of his bravery, his Kentucky roots, and the camaraderie he shared with his fellow sailors.
“My Dad served the greatest Navy the world has known, and he’s proud of that,” she says. “And I’m proud of him.”
Sharing a Legacy
This Veterans Day, Harold’s story reminds us that honoring our heroes isn’t just about remembering the past; it’s about helping them share their legacy. Through Cry of the Sparrows, Harold’s legacy will be available for generations to come, preserving a piece of history and a piece of his heart.
