Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: LLogann on May 28, 2011, 01:40:22 AM
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These days young people call it a day off, but seem to not realize what it really is. Meanwhile hundreds of American families go abroad, to Europe, some to the south Pacific, to go to a cemetery, to visit a person that their children never knew, never will............. Over 73,000 American soldiers are buried in Europe. In places like Belgium, Norway, Luxembourg, France and England. 30 years ago I went to Europe with my family.... I was young, I didn't fully understand. The funny part about that is my family members died in the Pacific, but we go to Belgium, to the Ardennes:
(http://www.abmc.gov/images/ar5.jpg)
We go there because of my Uncle John Courtney's only friend got stuck out there, died out there and had no family. We go there and put a wreath on his grave.... Nobody else will. Silly? I guess it depends how you understand this holiday we have coming up.
What does Memorial Day mean to you?
These days, out of all the souls I could reflect on, and remember, I remember Staff Sgt. Ryan Means, US Army, Green Berets.
Far after any type of career working as a civi for the USN, I started my current job... Where I met Ryan Means. He was a sales guy, had a 6 figure salary, handsome, had it all. Then, 9/11 happened. He volunteered for the Army, took the SF test and passed with flying colors, at the age of 31. (1 year younger than the cut off) He became a Green Beret. He had served in Iraq for about 8 months before he got sick. They sent him to Hamburg.
He had cancer. He came home. He died in New York City. He passed Tuesday, July 7th, year of our Lord 2009, holding his newborn baby with his wife by his side.
This is what Memorial Day means to me. What does Memorial Day mean to you?
My Uncle....
(http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/4717/unclejohnusaf1.jpg)
Staff Sgt. Ryan Means....
(http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/6779/img00022201011261733.jpg)
He is Buried at Arlington:
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rpmeans.htm
This is a weekend I am going to shed a few tears. I don't want to be the only one. Let me know I'm not alone.... What does Memorial Day mean to you?
What does Memorial Day mean to you?
(I'm traveling through Monday) :salute
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(http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj41/cooked2008/juniorontherightandarmybuddy.jpg)
My moms brother. All I heard is he started in North Africa. He's on the right. Family reunion in two weeks. I will try and learn more. He was one of my favorite Uncles growing up. He passed in 1986.
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oops
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my uncle who moved to the U.S. and was drafted one year later, his mother got a letter soon after boot camp, she never heard from him again. and 2 other uncles on other side of the family, who were called to fight in the German navy, they had never been to Germany before, they also never came back, nobody knows what happened to them.
and my gf's grandpa who was an f6f pilot. and my brother who was in desert storm. and my nephew who just enlisted in the AF.
semp
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LLogann.....I found this link.
http://www.sophieandelizabeth.com/ryanmeans/
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The end of the fearful slaughter in which Americans killed Americans wholesale for four years.
(http://www.soldierstudies.org/images/webquest/civil%20war%20soldiers.jpg)
The end of the American Civil War.
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Memorial day is a reminder of the horrors of war, and a caution against engaging in it without severe and direct provocation (e.g. invasion, bombing, genocide). Along with that, it serves as a warning to all those who wish to join the military. It serves as a day of remembrance for all those who died in the carnage.
:salute
-Penguin
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I honor the memory of all who served. From the unnamed farmer that took his musket in hand to fight the British to the young lady down the block that just joined to get an education. Everyone who served over the years did their part in making our country what it is.
For even with its faults, it is the best country in the world.
:salute
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To me, memorial day is the reason why there's an American flag at the top of that pole. :salute
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Memorial day is the same as any other day to me. The reason? Because I thank every vet for serving every day if I see one. I always and will always have respect for those that serve or have served.
:salute
-BigBOBCH
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Memorial day is for remembering those who gave all of their tomorrows so we can have our todays living free in this country.
Specifically for me, Dad, Uncle, multiple cousins and absent friends.
Rest in peace.
:salute
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LLogan, you saved me the work of making a post of this. The story behind memorial day as a holiday is a lost concept. Most look at it as a day or two off. Before I dismissed my platoon Thursday for the long weekend, I instructed all of them ( most are new) to go to Battalion and look at the pictures of the 6 soldiers we lost last year in Afghanistan, including a soldier , whose passing, was only a year ago. My arm isn't big enough to fit memorial bracelets for all those who have been lost. I keep in my memories and in my head. I still weep for them all and will do so until I pass. Both of my late uncles were both vets as well. :salute :salute
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My Grandpa
(http://i225.photobucket.com/albums/dd320/flightsimer/gpa.jpg)
He served in the navy During WWII. He was an gunners mate on the Earl K Olsen and on another ship that was a destroyer minesweep which i can not remember the name or number. While serving he recieved a purple heart. He left the navy after the war after serving four years i believe. He also had two brothers that served 20+ years.
He died last Thursday.
George Warren Pinkerton, 84, of Big Beaver Boro, passed away Thursday, May 19, 2011.
Born March 28, 1927, in Christiana, PA, he was a son of the late Frank and Martha (Knott) Pinkerton. He was a World War II veteran of the United States Navy having received a Purple Heart. He was a member of First United Methodist Church of Beaver Falls, where he served as a trustee and Pastoral Parish Relations Committee Chairman. He was a retired charter member of the Big Beaver Boro Volunteer Fire Dept. where he served for over 60 years, having held offices as president, treasurer and chairman of multiple committees including the carnival, 20-20 Club Picnic, breakfast, dinner, calendar committees and co-founder of Jr. Firemen.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Catherine (Brenzo) Pinkerton, Big Beaver Boro; four children and their spouses, John and Autumn Pinkerton, Big Beaver Boro; Tom Pinkerton, Big Beaver Boro; Nancy Bressler, Hollywood, MD; Jeff and Cheryl Pinkerton, Big Beaver Boro; seven grandchildren, Bethany, Eric, Tyler, Justin, Ashton, Caitlyn and Megan; one great-grandchild, Kaci, and a sister, Alice Nickel, Christiana, PA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters.
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Best thread Ive seen on here for quite awhile! <S>
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M great grandfather served on the European front in World War II was going to get his stories on tape but he passed before I could. He Died 2 years ago to colon cancer but left me his WWII Veterans hat. :salute
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what unit? raptor?
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what unit? raptor?
I don't recall of hand, I can ask my grandfather tomorrow though. I'd like to say we were close but I maybe saw him once every 2-3 years because he lived in Alabama so I don't recall to much about him.
Edit: I looked at his hat again and saw a tank on the front, It came back to me, He was a tank Commander. That much I can tell you.
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Didn't you say that your grandfather was dead? Or did you mean that he literally passed (i.e. approached your physical location in spacetime and then went back).
-Penguin
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he said great grandfather.
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Didn't you say that your grandfather was dead? Or did you mean that he literally passed (i.e. approached your physical location in spacetime and then went back).
-Penguin
He's dead.... :(
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he said great grandfather.
He was a Tank commander, that is all I know.
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(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h375/F35_LightningBravo/TrentsPictures564.jpg)
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Memorial day is a reminder of the horrors of war, and a caution against engaging in it without severe and direct provocation (e.g. invasion, bombing, genocide). Along with that, it serves as a warning to all those who wish to join the military. It serves as a day of remembrance for all those who died in the carnage.
:salute
-Penguin
You couldn't be more wrong. It is a day to remember those military members that were killed in the service of our country, regardless of the nature of the conflict, or the circumstances of their death. Its to celebrate the sacrifice they made regardless of whether it was one of our "good" wars, or even the most unpopular. There is no qualifiers for Memorial Day, no other significance other than recognition of their sacrifice. Its not a reminder of how bad war is, or whether or not there's "justification". You want to know why? Because to recognize anything else detracts from and cheapens the remembrance of what they gave. Once you've grown up, experienced the world, and have lost good friends, you might understand.
Just don't post in this thread Penguin. Start your own where you can emphasize what you believe instead of interjecting your personal cry for attention into another forum members thread. If you can't be respectful, just don't post (and it takes more than a :salute to show respect).
Memorial Day for me is a day to remember two persons in particular: Major Jay "Sweet Pea" Aubin and LCpl Thomas Blair. One was a friend and one was a subordinate. Both killed in OIF early on. I'll drink a beer for both.
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my uncle who moved to the U.S. and was drafted one year later, his mother got a letter soon after boot camp, she never heard from him again. and 2 other uncles on other side of the family, who were called to fight in the German navy, they had never been to Germany before, they also never came back, nobody knows what happened to them.
and my gf's grandpa who was an f6f pilot. and my brother who was in desert storm. and my nephew who just enlisted in the AF.
semp
thats alot going on
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A heartfelt THANK YOU to all vets, both past and present.
Keep yer pekkers hard and yer powder dry.
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft006.jpg)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/Copyofjoeashcraft.jpg)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft017.jpg)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft012.jpg)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft003.jpg)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb362/saucie1/joeashcraft014.jpg)
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(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Vuduvince/Omaha.jpg)
the cemetery at Omaha Beach Normandy France.
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Vuduvince/OmahaBeach.jpg)
Omaha Beach as it looks today.
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Vuduvince/epernay.jpg)
In Epernay France I saw this memorial to the French who gave their lives in WW1
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Vuduvince/cathedral.jpg)
and in a large cathedral in France flags of all the allied nations from WW1 still hang
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Vuduvince/230979_202950736406856_100000757943984_499774_1089216_n.jpg)
a picture from atop Point Du Hoc
(http://i1236.photobucket.com/albums/ff442/Vuduvince/229569_202956343072962_100000757943984_499817_4300795_n.jpg)
another picture from the cemetery at Omaha Beach
So thanks to any and all who gave their lives or are still out their with us. :salute
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thanks llogann for posting this. i too wanted to post something for memorial day. i wish i could write well like thomas jefferson, being able to use the right words to convey how i feel, or better yet what needs or should be said about this day for our veterans. love of country, duty , honor you know all veterans carry these thoughts with them at one time or another. those who didnt make it back home to there loved ones we should give thanks for there sacifice for us and our prosperity. all i can really do is say thank you all veterans of all wars that made this country great and keeping it so. :salute
bortas
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This Memorial Day, I plan on going to see my grandfathers. I will travel to E-town to see one, then Lexington to see the other. They were both good men. <S>
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In September 2005 on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.
When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.
'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'
She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'
They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'
'No,' she said.
'Maybe it's our behavior.'
She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'
And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.
By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.
The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the diskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'
At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.
Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned...
Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'
By the way, this is a true story. And this teacher was awarded Teacher of the Year for the state of Arkansas in 2006.
Please consider passing this along so others won't forget that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by U. S. Veterans.
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To me its to remember my families sacrifices to serve our country my Great grandfather a marine in WW2, my Grandpa a crew chief on a p3b orion in Vietnam, my Great Uncle an Airforce ground crew member in Vietnam, and my Father a tank gunner in desert storm. These guys in my family all made it back in one piece but with scars that you cant see. They are all alive today and know that I am proud of them.
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(http://i1106.photobucket.com/albums/h375/F35_LightningBravo/TrentsPictures564.jpg)
Get a pic of the things on either side prob tell you his unit.
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You couldn't be more wrong......<snip>....Just don't post in this thread Penguin.
Thank you, Stoney.
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Get a pic of the things on either side prob tell you his unit.
All it says on the sides are the state he lived in and the city. There's a US flag on the side that has TSA stamped on the side but I don't think it means anything about hit unit.
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My dad was in the Battle of the Bulge and served through march 1946 , army of occupation
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My dad was in the Battle of the Bulge and served through march 1946 , army of occupation
tom what unit was he in?
:salute bortas
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36th Infantry Division, 136th Anti Tank Company, I believe. He was in the Battle of the Bulge.
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My grandfather- World War II (here is a short inverview that was made of him by ABC. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUCv5IZNArU
My Dad- served in the US Air Force in the mid 70s
Me- currently serving in Afghanistan as a Army Infantryman
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Drove to San Antonio today and put some flowers on my grandfathers grave. I didnt really know him, but he was a great american. http://porterloring.lifefiles.com/registryMain.php?PHPSESSID=3cf8478feca0375a1f581961935f360a&i_memorialid=997297414
What it doesnt mention is that he landed on Omaha beach in Normandy and got a battlefield commision when he was 20 because his unit got wiped out.
:salute to all members of the military, past and present
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I thanked 4 vets last night, I always do and always will thank them if they are wearing their hats, or something that identifies them as a vet. I talked to a guy that was on Omaha beach last night, two vietnam vets (one a sniper), and another WW2 vet that was in the pacific.
-BigBOBCH
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Too close of a subject for me to post on.
God Bless America :salute
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In September 2005 on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School in Little Rock, did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom.
When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks.
'Ms. Cothren, where're our desks?'
She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.'
They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.'
'No,' she said.
'Maybe it's our behavior.'
She told them, 'No, it's not even your behavior.'
And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom.
By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms. Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room.
The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the diskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.'
At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it.
Twenty-seven (27) U.S. Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall. By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned...
Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.'
By the way, this is a true story. And this teacher was awarded Teacher of the Year for the state of Arkansas in 2006.
Please consider passing this along so others won't forget that the freedoms we have in this great country were earned by U. S. Veterans.
true story but she was named teacher of the year by the VFW not the state of arkansas.
semp
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That's the most profound piece of literature that I've read all week.
-Penguin
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heres my pre-memorial day experience
i was walking over to wal-mart for a new video game, 30 dollars in my pocket. it was kind of muggy and drizzling outside. there was a WW2 vet and a Vietnam vet. they were taking donations for some kind of vetrans association. sitting there in the humid, bad weather. people just walked by and they seemed to get more and more discouraged. as i walked across the lot i thought to myself "screw the game" and gave all of my money to them. they smiled to me and handed me a little plastic flower. i realized what i just did and it felt great. i cant believe all those people who go in and out cant spare just 1 cent. even as they came out of the store they thought of those vets as animals begging for food. i think that they were the best damn people on this planet for defending this great land we call america.
very little people realize that the soldiers on the front line do more than defend liberty. they make sure we have it from now on and forever. not to mention that the soldiers dying breath moves the flag, not the wind.
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Great pictures Melvin and Vudu.
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Gotta bump this one back to the top. 474th FG P38 driver Lt. Oliver Berg, Cottonwood, Minnesota. Lots of others to remember too, but he popped into my head first.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/OBerg1.jpg)
He's the one sitting.
(http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s199/guppy35/Berg11.jpg)
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<S> to all, my uncle was killed in Vietnam - wish I could have known him, but oddly enough if he had lived, then there is no way I would have been born.
I'm in Kuwait at the moment, was going down a road and saw a sign that made me think of why sometimes we need to fight. Can't download my picture of it atm, but here's the one someone else took a few years ago:
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4089/5098528031_233f93ee17_o.jpg)
:salute
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Thanks to all that have given everything so we can enjoy everything we have as Americans.
They have made our Country what it is!
<S> Oz
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36th Infantry Division, 136th Anti Tank Company, I believe. He was in the Battle of the Bulge.
oh hes was in the 36th texas if i remember right. think there patch was a T. dont know the 36th div history to be honest.
thanks for posting :salute
bortas
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Why wouldn't you have lived if he had?
-Penguin
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Yes sir, those are the Means girls. I didn't want to put that link up as I feel everybody has somebody they could donate to but I do thank you for throwing it up. :salute
LLogann.....I found this link.
http://www.sophieandelizabeth.com/ryanmeans/
Most everybody seems to be playing nice in this thread, I cannot thank you all enough. I know I'm usually a jackoff on the BBS, but I'm glad to see most people can put the dumb watermelon on the side about this American Holiday. And those that can't... Just remember, you have this forum, you have your life, because of the people that sacrificed theirs.... For you!
USRanger... I understand where you're coming from. But don't sweat the small stuff... I'd love to hear about your perspEctive. Whether it be bad or good, you matter, you count. All of you in the service do!
Words can never express the thanks I have.
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My next door neighbor's father lives with them. He is a WWII Vet ... he flew in B-24s out of Italy as a tail gunner ... he says he has 9 kills to his credit. Good 'ol gent originally from a Maine farm.
Yesterday he was sitting on their back porch all by himself. I strolled on over ... grabbed his hand and thanked him for his service and told him the sacrifice that he and other vets made, allowed a whole lot of people to live in freedom. He thanked me and we chatted for awhile and then I left cause I had a couple of things to do.
Later that day, I was sitting on my porch drinking a Mojito and he strolled on over with his daily 4 pm scotch on the rocks in hand. He sat down next to me and looked me in the eye. I could see that his eyes were all watery ... he then went on to tell me, with a little choking in his voice, that since 1946 not one person ever came over to him and thanked him for what he and his fellow WWII vets did. There was silence for about 30 seconds ... we clicked glasses ... and toasted to those who weren't lucky enough to come home.
I'll never forget that.
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That's... that's touching. :(
-Penguin
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My next door neighbor's father lives with them. He is a WWII Vet ... he flew in B-24s out of Italy as a tail gunner ... he says he has 9 kills to his credit. Good 'ol gent originally from a Maine farm.
Yesterday he was sitting on their back porch all by himself. I strolled on over ... grabbed his hand and thanked him for his service and told him the sacrifice that he and other vets made, allowed a whole lot of people to live in freedom. He thanked me and we chatted for awhile and then I left cause I had a couple of things to do.
Later that day, I was sitting on my porch drinking a Mojito and he strolled on over with his daily 4 pm scotch on the rocks in hand. He sat down next to me and looked me in the eye. I could see that his eyes were all watery ... he then went on to tell me, with a little choking in his voice, that since 1946 not one person ever came over to him and thanked him for what he and his fellow WWII vets did. There was silence for about 30 seconds ... we clicked glasses ... and toasted to those who weren't lucky enough to come home.
I'll never forget that.
Very very cool Slapshot. Classy move on both your parts :salute
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Clive Jeffs.....MIA Vietnam
WD Cameron.....P47 pilot died 2004
Dennis Trusty.....Air Force died 2002
To all those fallen in the defense of this country :rock :salute
May you never be forgotten