Day to remember - Dec. 7th

[schlot]

Before there was 9-11 there was Pearl Harbor. Thank you to those who served in harms way, then and now.

 

[Boom Stick]

The greatest generation.

 

[DAKSY]

The greatest generation.

Indeed they were... About 1 milllion left of the 16.1 million who served. Losing them between 1200 & 1500 every day. As a long time Patriot Guard Rider, I've stood the Flag Line at funeral homes & cemeteries for many of them. Sad. There are "feel good" missions tho, when we escort busloads of them to the airport for the flight to DC & their WWII memorial. Some are still pretty active. Some using walkers. Some in wheelchairs. Youngest maybe 84 - 85... Most of them smiling tho, when they hear the cheers & applause we give them.

 

[Thistle]

Listen,learn & preserve their stories for future generations.

 

[schlot]

Indeed they were... About 1 milllion left of the 16.1 million who served. Losing them between 1200 & 1500 every day. As a long time Patriot Guard Rider, I've stood the Flag Line at funeral homes & cemeteries for many of them. Sad. There are "feel good" missions tho, when we escort busloads of them to the airport for the flight to DC & their WWII memorial. Some are still pretty active. Some using walkers. Some in wheelchairs. Youngest maybe 84 - 85... Most of them smiling tho, when they hear the cheers & applause we give them.

We lost a family friend this past year who served in WW2. He was with the 502nd Reg of the 101st. Their regiment fought alongside and through the same campaigns as the 506th (of Band of Brothers fame). He was wounded twice, once in Holland and then in the Ardennes. The second time was very serious, taking him out of action and back (eventually) to the states.

I loved listening to his stories, they just never grew old. Amazing story of sacrifice and courage.

God rest his soul.

 

[Thistle]

5 of my Uncle's served in WW II.

2 on Dad's side (his older brothers who were twins),3 on Mom's side. 1 of Mom's older brothers & 2 brother in laws of hers.All are gone now.

 

[jharkin]

Amen. My grandfather was at Pearl (army). He passed many years ago now but as I recall his story went something like "I'd like to tell ya some grand story of adventure son... But reality... There was a lot of noise and we took cover under a truck"

Thank you grandpa and everyone who served then and since.

 

[Pallet Pete]

(broken link removed to http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/12/07/world-war-ii-plane-recovered-from-lake-michigan/)

This goes along with the thread I believe WW2 fighter pulled from lake Michigan yesterday.

Pete

 

[firefighterjake]

Truly one of the Greatest Generations . . . to think of the sacrifices made by so many Americans -- both on the field of battle and home front.