Spent the afternoon with some great men

[LilBastage]

TheBoy(c) and I spent the afternoon with 3 WWII veterans and some of their family members today. We heard stories, shared food and drink, and helped clean out the garage of one of these men. He was one of the lucky ones that made it through that fateful day. Today was the first time he had spoken about the invasion since returning home and it was powerful.

They were proud men, but the pain in their eyes when they spoke of the war and how it shaped their lives was something I had never seen. My grandfather was a WWII vet, but he never spoke of the war or the shrapnel he carried in his back all those years. He probably would have had I asked, but I never did. He's been gone for awhile now, and I regret not getting to know him better.

TheBoy(c) is just now getting to the age where he can start to understand the seriousness of some of this stuff. He came away knowing more about the men who fought on that beach and in the war overall than any history book will be able to tell him, even if he doesn't realize it yet.

There aren't many men from that generation around anymore. Honor them while you can, remember their sacrifice and most of all, teach your kids about it.

 

[StatHaldol]

Good post; my dad and three of my uncles were WWII veterans. One of my uncles was a B-17 ball turret gunner. He was a small man in stature (as were all the ball turret gunners) but he was tough as nails.

They are all gone now and I sure miss them.

About 1100 of the "greatest generation" veterans die each day.

 

[MoeCizlak]

Outstanding Alan. Our church had several members who served in different capacities during the war and had gone on the Freedom Flight speak a couple of months ago so I took my Sunday School class (I'll let that sink in for a minute) to hear them. I couldn't tell if the kids were more impressed that these old people they see in church were some of heroes they read about or if the Vets were more impressed that a bunch of 8-10yr olds sat still and wanted to shake hands with them at the end. And you're absolutely right Alan, they are disappearing quickly now. Thank them while you can.

 

[Not A Nice Person]

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Outstanding post.

We have long generations in my family, and insofar as I know, no WWII vets---my grandfather was in WWI, and my father tried to enlist during Korea (bad eyesight kept him out). My older brother did sub duty off the coast of Nam . . .

Those who were there literally freed the world. We should never forget their sacrifice, or what it bought us all.

~Boar

 

[gtadroptop]

Nicely done, Alan. :thumbs: Glad to know you're passing on to your son an appreciation of the sacrifices previous generations made for our freedom.

Embarrassed to admit I was so wrapped up in my own issues this year that I forgot yesterday was D-Day. :blush:

 

[Nashkicker]

That' just awesome. Some of my students, and I volunteer at the local VFW. It is just amazing to hear some of the stories, not just about war but about life in general.

 

[bfreebern]

:thumbs:

 

[PhatCat]

Good one, Alan. I've been fascinated with WWII and D-Day in particular since I did a report in 8th grade social studies on it. An amazing undertaking. How they coordinated and planned that invasion. Unreal.

BR

 

[Mr_Wolf]

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

Great post Alan! My father was a WWII Vet.

 

[Salukis63]

Amen Brother! If you know someone from this generation thank them for what they did for us... My father in law not only grew up in New York during the depression but then moved on to fight three wars. WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

What these men endured and accomplished shaped this nation in ways that most Americans don't know. Service before self was never a motto to them, it was an unspoken way of life.

Thanks for a great post

Rob

 

[sinnyc]

That's a fine way to spend the anniversary of D-Day Alan and I'll bet your son won't ever forget it. Good on ya.

- Tim

 

[vortex]

That must have been quite an experience for you and TheBoy©. He's not incorporated yet, is he?

I agree that more people need to know and understand these tremendous sacrifices and, more importantly, why they were necessary. Otherwise, we are doomed to repeat it.

 

[anvil]

Nice post Alan.
Two of my uncles were in WW2.
One was in J Force. They were sent to Japan as a policing force after the bombs were dropped. He died young of cancer.
The other is still alive and was a navigator in a Lancaster bomber. He lied about his age to get in, and was shot down over Poland. He managed to escape thanks to the polish resistance, and made it back to England where he was put on a charge for being out of uniform.
He brought me up, sent me to school and tought me how to shear, raise and kill a sheep. He is a great man and I have great respect for him and his wife, who was also serving as a stenographer.(I think thats what they call em).
My father missed by a couple of years but served in the NZ Navy for 30 years. Unfortunatly he was on the Frigate that observed the French Tests at Mururoa Atoll and is now suffering with skin cancer to his face.

 

[H311oLHD]

My grandfather never fought in WW2, but he is a Vet of that war. I am proud of him and I make sure to tell him that. He's been in bad health the last few months, but he refuses to quit and is finally getting back his strength. He and I have talked about his WW2 experience at length several times. He served in the Air Corps stateside due to very bad vision.