Memorial Day
 

I am working in the shop today trying to make some progress on the '33.
I keep think of my Dad flying in the back of a B-17 out of Great Ashfield, England. He never spoke of it, but my Mom said it totally changed him. He was one of the lucky ones who made it home.
I just wanted to say thank you to all that served and are serving.
I miss you Pop.
We need to stop and count our blessings once in a while.

Re: Memorial Day
 

My dad was a turret specialist on B-17s based in Great Ashfield, Suffolk County, England.

8th Air Force, 3rd Air Division, 93rd Combat Bombardment Wing, 385th Bombardment Group (Heavy), 548th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy).

Their squadron logo.

Ken

Re: Memorial Day
 

The movie "The Memphis Belle" was on TCM yesterday. Awe inspiring.

Re: Memorial Day
 

God Bless all our veterans this day

Re: Memorial Day
 

Yes my dad and his brother were veterans, as were two of mom's brothers, all in WWII. My uncle Glen was a fighter pilot, based out of the Aleutian Islands near Alaska. Dad never had to go abroad. He was a radio tech.

Al Hook

Re: Memorial Day
 

Yesterday the lady and I placed American Flags on the graves of those departed and inturned at Fort Snelling National Cemetary.
A very humbling experience. We placed Flags in Section F. Not sure if that Section had a location for those that passed in a certain time or not, but there were so many that had the year of death as 1944.
Next Saturday, we will again volunteer to remove the Flags until next year.
One of the most rewarding and sad volunteer time we do.
God Bless all that serve, have served and are willing to serve.

Re: Memorial Day
 

All the Vets are in my thoughts today. Especially my Dad who was in the 10th Mountain Division and did combat up the spine of Italy. He saw Mussolini and his mistress hanging from light poles. He talked very little about it until my boys started asking him questions about it. All my uncles fought too in the Navy, Air Force and Army.


Glenn

Re: Memorial Day
 

God bless all those vets from WWW I and all that followed in the other wars. My dad served in the US Army in Italy and North Africa in WW II .My wife's dad and his three brothers all served in WWW II in three different branches of the service (Army, Air Force and Navy). The Greatest Generation.

Re: Memorial Day
 

A number of years ago I visited the Normandy American Cemetary and Omaha Beach. It was a rather powerful experience with over 9000 of our guys buried there mostly from the D-Day operation. I tried to grasp what it must have been like that day and the days that followed. It was almost overwhelming and viewing over 9000 crosses was difficult to comprehend. I came away with an acute appreciation for what these guys did and how it affects our lives today. Sadly, I think a proportion of our younger set doesn't get any of this.

Re: Memorial Day
 

My uncle, Harley Johnson, was killed in action in Italy of November 21, 1943 leaving behind his two children (his wife had left the scene years before). He served in the Army signal corps in a "safe, behind the scenes" position but a German artillery shell obliterated is breakfast tent.
I'm very grateful for his ultimate sacrifice and the sacrifice of so many other so we can enjoy our comfortable lives today. Thank you Uncle Harley.

Re: Memorial Day
 

July 5th 1966 730 days July 3 1968 US Army E5 Drill Instructor. Hated it at the time. In retrospect VERY positive experience. EVERY American citizen, between the age of 18 and 25, regardless war or peace, should serve 2 years. Just my 2cents

Re: Memorial Day
 

Agree 100%. Drafted in June '71. Entered on the delayed entry program
8 Sep '71 Served 2 years as a E4 95 Bravo MP (plus 1 extra day since 1972 was a leap year:mad:). Also hated it at the time but now feel that every US citizen, male and female should serve 2 years either in the Armed Forces or alternative public service. Of course JMO.

Re: Memorial Day
 

I agree with BoxCar Tom and 5150bat.
I was drafted in 06/57 and discharged in 06/59. There was no war going on then and I didn't want to go but now I'm glad that I did. After basic training I spent several months in downtown Chicago and I hated that. Next they sent me to Germany on a troop ship, 11 days over and 11 days back and I hated that too. I worked with Germans and Polish refugees who spoke little or no English and I became fairly fluent in German. Even today when I go to Germany I can get by easily. I bought an old Mercedes for $100 and traveled a lot with that when I had free time. About 3 months before I was discharged I sold the Mercedes for $100 and bought a new '59 Volkswagen for $2,223. The army charged me $50 to ship it to Hoboken, NJ and I was discharged in Fort Hamilton, NY. My old German friends are all dead now but I visit their children and grandchildren from time to time.

Re: Memorial Day
 

The Navy took this no-count kid and made a man out of him. Ir was a great adventure for a kid, gave me first class respect for myself and all those who served. My 4 year enlistment was fortunately at a time when hitchhiking in uniform was common, before Jane Fonda. I solemnly salute all who came after, who have never received their due.