14-year-old girl helps USS Indianapolis survivor tell his story

This story was updated to reflect that the speaking event will take place at a venue that is not part of Wheaton College.

One of the few remaining survivors of what some say was the worst disaster in U.S. naval history is coming to Wheaton next month to share his story.

And it's all thanks to the work of a 14-year-old girl.

Ellie Rutan says her appreciation for senior citizens and their wisdom began when she was about 5, when her parents starting taking her to read to nursing home residents.

As she's grown, they have stressed to her and her four younger brothers that "when an older person dies, a library is lost."

"While their bodies may be failing, they have an amazing history to share and we should do whatever we can to show our appreciation for them," said Ellie's father, Bob Rutan.

In the past year, Ellie, of Elburn, has taken a great interest in gathering the stories of World War II veterans. The fact that she's home-schooled has allowed her to pursue that passion by arranging in-person interviews with more than a dozen vets and recording each one on camera.

She is calling the collection of interviews "The Legacy of Our Fathers" and hopes to one day transfer them onto a DVD so she can share the stories with her descendants.

"It's not a formal interview. We just discuss it and that's the way I want it to be," she said.

She said she's in awe of the "incredible sacrifice, courage, determination and selflessness" of the vets. "It's really neat being able to meet them because often we develop friendships with them."

Since February, Ellie has met men who took part in various parts of the war, from concentration camp liberators to Normandy fighters. The person who inspired her most, however, is Edgar Harrell - a 90-year-old survivor of the USS Indianapolis tragedy.

As part of a secret mission, the Indianapolis delivered supplies to a South Pacific island that were later used in the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

On its return journey, the ship was hit by a torpedo about 600 miles west of Guam. Of the nearly 1,200 men aboard, only 316 survived.

The survivors endured four days and five nights in the ocean, surrounded by sharks and bloody water as they waited to be rescued.

It is estimated that only 36 of those survivors are still alive today, Ellie said. Harrell is one.

And he's agreed, at Ellie's request, to travel from his home in Tennessee to speak about his experience at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at College Church, 332 E. Seminary, Wheaton.

The event is free and open to the public. Ellie already has reached out to many American Legion and VFW posts, but is encouraging all veterans who are interested to attend. The Great Lakes Naval Band will perform as a prelude to the event and Ellie is hoping to draw 1,000 people.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," she said. "I'm not joking about that. They get to hear from a man who is truly a hero."

Last year, Ellie read Harrell's book, "Out of the Depths," and was especially moved by his belief that God allowed him to survive.

"That is truly his main theme," she said. "He attributes everything to the providence of God."

After reading Harrell's book, Ellie began corresponding with him via email. She had a chance to meet him this summer when he did a speaking event at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and decided she wanted him to share his story in the suburbs, too.

"I really wanted others to be able to hear his story and to hear his testimony," she said. "I wanted to honor him."

Ellie is now in the process of fundraising to pay for Harrell's honorarium and travel expenses, along with the cost of renting the facility.

Contributions to the "Edgar Harrell Speaking Event" can be made at any Fifth Third Bank. Proceeds that exceed the event cost will go toward the Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans.

Bob Rutan said it has a been "a beautiful experience" to watch his daughter interview the veterans and ask thoughtful questions that range from how they got involved in the service to how they view freedom in today's culture.

"I get teary eyed just watching her talking to these gentlemen who are in their 80s and 90s," he said. "Ultimately, I see a little girl who is becoming a young lady."

He added that he hopes attendees at Harrell's speaking event will walk away with a sense that it was "something unique and special."

"Seeing the hundreds of hours that she has personally put into this, from the sheer desire to give people the opportunity to say thank you, as well as to have Mr. Harrell share his story, is very humbling," he said. "She's asking for nothing in return. We hope people are encouraged and blessed by it."

If you go

What: World War II veteran Edgar Harrell shares his story of surviving the USS Indianapolis tragedy

When: 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3

Where: College Church, 332 E. Seminary Ave., Wheaton

Cost: Free

Info: (630) 365-6928 or legacyofourfathers@gmail.com