Author Topic: This Memorial Day.. Remember a Vet (Read 184 times)

Kronos · « **on:** May 26, 2002, 07:55:45 PM »

Post here of a vet you wish remembered. Doesn't have to be anyone famous, just someone YOU want remembered.

My personal is :

Col. Neel Kearby, CO 348th FG "Kearby's Thunderbolts"

A P47 Ace of WWII, he once shot down 6 enemy aircraft in one flight, with a seventh possible. He had a total of 22 confirmed kills in six months in the PTO theater before he himself was killed in a battle near Wewak.

~~to all vets this Memorial Day, wherever you are or have been.~~

Mathman · « **Reply #1 on:** May 26, 2002, 08:33:55 PM »

The person that I want to remember was not really a vet, but he was an artist-corespondent for Life Magazine during World War II. He was on the USS Wasp when it was sunk, he was on the USS Hornet at the Battle of Santa Cruz, and he went in with the first wave of Marines at Peileilu. He also covered some of the convoy action in the North Atlantic. He was the greatest man that I have ever had the privilege of knowing. His name was Tom Lea. He was my great uncle. He passed away last year.

Intrepid · « **Reply #2 on:** May 26, 2002, 08:55:07 PM »

whoops cut and paste later for veterans day

Swanie · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2002, 10:33:38 PM »

I would like to remember:
1. My uncle, Marvin Owens, who landed at Omaha Beach on D-Day.
2. My cousin who is still listed as an Army MIA, lost in North Vietnam
3. My girlfriend's uncle, Robert Straughn, who served in France during WWII
4. Her uncle, Eri Graham, stationed at Schofield on December 7, 1941; served in tanks on numerous island battles including Okinawa
5. Her friend, Michael Shapard, died from small arms' fire in Vietnam

Thanks to them, and all those, who selflessly gave their youth and courage to fight for these United States

CptTrips · « **Reply #4 on:** May 26, 2002, 11:22:35 PM »

My great uncle, Clifton A. Fortune

PFC, 78th Divison, 309th infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company K

Killed by sniper, April 7, 1945 near Grumewald, Germany.

Wab

Hangtime · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2002, 01:52:08 AM »

Of those still with us.. my father in law. William Farley. Served on USS Chauncey, DD667. A/A Gun Director. Wounded at Okinawa. they splased three kamakazis before taking one amidships. My Brother, USN, CVA19, USS Hancock; Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club. 2 tours.

Among those passed.. My elder Uncle, flew P51's.. shot down a tree. My Father... served on an LST in DDay. And the guys who served with me and didn't come home..

PFC Tom Eskers
PVT Jay Gould
CPL David Tompkins
SSGT MoFo.. if he had another name, I never knew it.
CWO 'Shakin' Bacon.

..and the others; who had faces; but I never got the names.

anonymous1 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2002, 05:07:26 AM »

To clarify:

Memorial Day is a special day to remember those who died while serving in our Nation's military.

Veteran's Day is a special day to honor all who have served in our Nation's military.

A small but important detail. I am a veteran. But don't waste a thought on me on Memorial Day please. Your intentions are pure but your thoughts are needed for those who are the most deserving of them on this sad and special day. Save your thoughts for everyone who isn't around to have a nice cold drink outside during the barbecue, for everyone who isn't playing catch with their kid in the front yard, for everyone who isn't taking a lazy 2pm nap with their Husband or Wife with the TV on in the background. And being a veteran, if I die of old age don't waste a thought on me on Memorial Day, because I got ten thousand or more goodnight kisses that all those other men and women missed out on.

Buy me a drink on Veteran's Day. And visit all my comrades in arms who reside at the local VA Hospital and don't have any Family left to visit them. Bring a pizza with you. The good Karma you bank doing that will make up for alot of the mistakes you may have made in your life.

Please keep adding messages here. Some great pictures and some stories that make you think. My dedication is to the men and women who have died while serving that no one remembers anymore. No family or friends left to think about them today, but they still mattered.

'Do not waste your tears on me. It was not my fate to watch the world grow old. Time is not measured in years, but by the deeds of brave men.'

Maverick · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2002, 01:35:51 PM »

Anonymous1,

Your post is taken in the manner that you intended but I'd like to put a second thought about it. Remember ALL service people now serving and honor their service. They may not be here for the next Memorial day.

I salute ALL vets, living and gone and thank them for the freedoms I have enjoyed all my life. They are my countrymen, fellow citizens and fellow servicemen.