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Posted: 5/22/2009 12:50:27 PM EDT
Let's be sure to take time out of our BBQ's and such this weekend to remember why we have these days off work.
Doc 
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My buddy CWO Dave Hopkins. I served with him during Desert Storm. He died in a Blackhawk crash in Korea, 1999.
Veteran, US Navy, WWII. My Grandmothers third husband, and only Grandfather I knew growing up. Loved us kids more than his own REAL grandkids.
Veteran, US Army, WWII. My Grandfathers sister. We called her “Aunt Sis”, served as an Army Flight Nurse during WWII. I have some of her original rank and insignia you see in this photo, saved as family heirlooms.
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| Family Freind Don Sachs, WWII B17 crewman. Shot down over Germany Dec 31 1944, kept prisoner till spring 1945. Passed away May 1997. Survived by a Wife Bobbie and son John. Other family of mine that served and are still with us include Jack Henkle, James Henkle and Belle Autry. Thank you all. |
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Thanks for keeping the focus where it should be.
From a previous post, "Let us never forget those who have come before us and paid the ultimate price." "Let us never forget the flesh, blood, and spirit that has carried the black rifle into harms way" 
Operation Gothic Serpent - Task Force Ranger 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta - "De Oppresso Liber" 
SSG Daniel Busch SFC Earl Fillmore MSG Gary Gordon MSG Tim Martin SFC Randy Shughart Bravo Co / 3rd Battalion / 75th Ranger Regiment - "Sua Sponte" 
SPC James Cavaco SGT Casey Joyce PFC Richard Kowalewski SGT Dominick Pilla SGT Lorenzo Ruiz CPL Jamie Smith 160th Special Ops Aviation Regiment - "Nightstalkers Never Quit" 
CWO Donovan Briley SSG William Cleveland SSG Thomas Field CWO Raymond Frank CWO Clifton Wolcott 10th Mountain Division - "Climb to Glory" 
SGT Cornell Houston PFC James Martin 
"De Oppresso Liber! " Crossed Arrows .. Green Beret Dick Meadows .. "Nick" Rowe .. Bull Simons .. Sontay! Warrior's Blade .. "The Quiet Professionals" .. Liberty! The Grey Ghost .. Swamp Fox .. Awesome Legacy! Vanguards of Freedom .. Stalking Horse of Night Special Forces Soldiers .. Fight Oppression's Fight. SOG .. Sacred Trust .. Following God and Creed, "If I'm The Last .. Surrender Hell!" .. A Very Special Breed. These Silent Heroes Answer .. Wherever Freedom Calls For God, John Wayne, Uncle Sam .. First In War To Fall. Korea .. Southeast Asia .. Iraq .. Afghanistan. Stealthy, Unseen Shadows .. This Mighty Warrior Band! Fearless of "The Last Patrol".. Set Apart .. Honor Bound. God Speed! To A Dying Brother .. Sad Songs .. Of an Old Blue Hound. A Brave Heart .. Slain In Battle.."Hey Blue" Sings of His Worth, As Lightening From Valhalla .. Guides A Warrior Soul From Earth! Rest in Peace Brave Brothers. "Capt Richardson" My family members who served and showed me the importance of service. Perry Searcy US Army 1940 to 1968 WW II - Fought with Patton from Africa to Germany. Drove the US scout car that linked up with the first British units in Africa. Korea Vietnam Hubert Richardson US Army 1940 to 1965 WW II - 2 combat jumps with the 101st , D-Day Invasion Korea Bill Woods US Army & US Air Force 1942 to 1972 WW II - 3 combat jumps with the 82nd, D-Day Invasion Korea Vietnam - USAF Special Ops |
| Hi DocMike,,My Dad was a combat medic with the US 29th division from 1943-46.He passed away in 1993. I'll never forget him..I'll be posting pics of our living history display at Pres.FD Roosevelts home/library either monday or tues.We are there both sat and sun to pay our respects to all vets,past and present. This is how I've spent every memorial weekend since 1990..GOD BLESS ALL OUR VETS,AND BRING THEM ALL HOME SAFE!!!!!!! |
| I am very lucky, the only member of my family that I know of that was in the service was one of my great uncles, and he made it home from the Pacific theater alive. I feel guilty for the sacrifices that you fellows and your families made to keep us free while my family was peacfully at home. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE and GOD BLESS AMERICA! |
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Wish I had digital pictures to post...
My Dad, Vaughn Russell Sims, US Army Air Corps, WW2. Then 40 years and retired as a Veterans Administration Social Worker. Just passed last December 19. My Grandfather, Russell Lee Sims, U.S. Army Infantry, WW1. Passed October 1982. He was disabled in a gas attack, and we didn't know he had even been in the service 'til his flag arrived from the VA at Dad's after the funeral. |
This is my grandfather. Hew flew B26s in WWII and A26 in Korea, where he was MIA in April 1952.
My other Granddad served with the USCG in the North Atlantic. He died of natural causes in 2005. My wife has one grandfather who passed in 2006 who was with the Army Air Force on Iwo Jima. His wife, still with us, served in the USN. Her other grandfather recently celebrated his 90th birthday. He was a USMC SBD Dauntless Pilot in the war. My parents are both retired Army officers. Two uncles and my father in law were USAF pilots. I served in the USMC in the 1990s and now do contract work for the government in Afghanistan. I have a cousin in the USAR who's served in Iraq, and my sister's brother in law (USMA '02) is in 5th Group in Iraq right now. Curious, I never think that we are a strong military family, but when I list it all out we sure do look like it. Anyway, thanks to all of you who've served, and thanks especially to those who are no longer with us. Semper Fi. |
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Wish I had pics, but I'd like to remember:
My Great Uncle Verne who fought with the 501st in N. Africa, Sicilly, France and Germany. He was in the Bulge among other things, and was part of the 2% of the 501st that survived the Bulge. (He was attached to them - not sure if he was actually in the 501st, but he was part of a headquarters company (Sergeant) and generally worked recon w/Pathfinders.) He never talked much about the war - he'd seen some terrible things, was in 5 major battles (see history of the 501st) and only told us funny stories, but last time I spoke with him before he passed, he said the thing he was proudest of was that he never killed a Colonel or General. (He was talking about OUR officers, so I believe he may have been tempted a time or two. He said several of them needed killing.) My Great Uncle Ralph who fought with the SeaBees in the Pacific in WWII - I never had a chance to talk to him about it, but I can just imagine trying to finish an airfield while under fire/bombardment must be like. My Grandfather Bob, who was a welder and had a family so was 4F. He raised a family of four while working two jobs as a welder, building Liberty Ships for the war effort while his brothers were overseas. His third job was a several hundred acre grape farm. I consider him as much a hero as the other two brothers. My Grandmother Marion, who was my Grandfather's partner and worked every bit as hard as he did, driving the tractor at midnight so he could pick up the grape crates, then working the farm during the day while raising four young kids. My grandparents are both heroes of mine, and raised me after my mother died very young. These people trluy were 'The Greatest Generation.' My stepmother Cindy, who as a young woman took on a young kid she didn't know, and helped raise him. (Me.) She was a teacher, and a lot of what I know now came from the basics she taught me. All teachers should be heroes IMO, and most are incredibly underpaid and under appreciated. We lost her to cancer this last December. She always treated people with respect and grace, a talent so few people these days have. R.I.P
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My PaPa was in the Aluetians as a company runner
My Grandpa was in the North Atlantic on a LST that made the first landing on D-Day Great-Uncle Bud was a medic in many places including the Bulge, went into Russia to repatriate our soldiers that were liberated Great-Uncle LeRoy was a Seebee in the Pacific all over Great-Uncle Carol was 82nd Airborne before, during, and after WWII, made every major jump, Pathfinder before D-Day and had a broke jaw from the jump Grandma worked in a clothing factory Grannie worked at a tank factory and taught school in rural town where all the men teachers went to the service Wife's Papa was on a sub in the Pacific in WWII Wife's grandpa was in Korea 51-52 with half-track Wife's uncle died in Viet-Nam on the border of Laos Father-won't talk Several cousins and cousin inlaws in various branches at this time. These were the ones I was close to growing up. Not many stories except the good times they had but rarely any of the tough stuff. I want to say thank you to all that have served and protected our great nation. I want to also say thank you to all the families that have given the ultimate sacrifice. On this weekend of cook outs and family get togethers lets not forget the real meaning of Memorial Day. |
I just wanted to mention that a lot of my liberal friends don't like 'War Movies'. I ask them why, and they say they don't like anything that 'glorifies War.'  Now, you guys tell me - do war movies 'glorify' war or show it for the great tragedy that it is? Some of the greatest acts of altruism ever documented happen during war - men and women who willingly sacrifice themselves for a fellow. Some make it and some don't, but we all know that those people who have served, and who say 'I wasn't a hero' like my one Uncle Verne, really were. Last time I had the chance to talk to him he said - "I was no hero - I wasn't at Normandy." I said "But you were there after that right?" He said "Yeah, we dropped in about D plus 3 if I remember right."  This is AFTER the Kasserine Pass in N. Africa and the invasion of Sicily. He 'qualified' as Airborne in Sicily on the way down IIRC. Never saw boot - they just stuck him on a ship in '41. He walked though it all with a .30 carbine and a .45 auto.
He eventually went blind and paralyzed from the waist down deep within Germany behind enemy lines, after the Bulge, and was carried out by the guys he 'worked with', a Pathfinder company. They thought it was Diptheria. We've all seen the scene in the movie where a guy hauls his buddy into the aid station and threatens the doctor with his .45 ? (very nicely of course) Well, that's what happened. I'm sure it happened to other people too, but it happened to him. He wasn't bleeding, but was in really bad shape, and they triaged him. He likely wouldv'e died if the two guys with him hadn't 'insisted' in the way they did. He brought back a Fallschirmjager gravity knife for my grandfather, but never, ever talked about the bad stuff. Just told the funny stories. Like my dad said, he didn't get that knife at a yard sale. Makes me tear up even thinking about the shit he must have seen. Not a hero...right. Veterans, I salute you. |
| I'd like to remember the heros we never knew. The ones who just did what needed to be done, came home, and went to work. They were our teachers, scout leaders, the old guy down the street, our girlfriend's father, the nurse in our doctor's office. They never talked about it and we never knew until one day we read their obituary in the local paper. They were soldiers once, and young. God bless them all! |
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My dad served in the Army/475th Infantry/Mars Task Force/China, Burma, India Theater. He was second scout. When he wasn't doing that, he toted a mule. He got to go around the world by ship mostly. Lot's of interesting stories. He never left the bad stuff out when he told them. Seems he could make a good thing out of a bad situation everywhere he went. I always respected him for his efforts but I didn't appreciate them until I saw "Saving Private Ryan". Next week I get the oppoutunity to accompany dad to his final reunion at Fort Reno, OK. This is the 50th anniversary of the reunion and they are calling it quits. There were only 5 actual duty participants, both civilian workers at the fort and military personnel at the event last year.
One of my dad's brothers was with the 104th Division, the Cactus Division, and was killed in the Hurtgen Forrest. My oldest brother was in the Air Force during the Vietnam Era, 1965-1969. He was in Pleiku, South Vietnam his last year of service. I have had lots of cousins from my dad's side in the service. All branches and any rank from Pfc. to Lt. Colonel at the Pentagon. I'm proud of them all. |
| We buried my Mom recently, and once the eulogy was over, there were some small, silent tributes that meant a lot to me. Mom was a "Rosie the Riveter" who worked on P-51's during the war. She was laid to rest next to my Dad, a Purple Heart Navy veteran of the Pacific. After most of the folks left, my son, a former Army reservist, took one of the flowers from Mom's coffin and put it on Dad's headstone. Just across the road from their resting place is the grave of my Mom's middle brother. He was with the 101st in WWII, and his marker is engraved with his jump wings. As I looked over there, my Mom's sole-surviving brother, a Korean War Air Force Veteran, was standing by himself at his brother's grave. At that point, I watched this stooped, 78 year-old man snap to attention, and render a crisp salute. Their father––my grandfather––was awarded the Croix de Guerre for his actions on the Western Front in WW I. My former father-in-law is buried in another cemetery not too far away. He had the cruiser Vincennes torpedoed out from under him at the battle of Savo Island. They all came back after their service and got on with their lives. In 1967 I decided it was my turn to keep faith with my family. I enlisted in the Army, volunteered for Vietnam, and served from May '68 to May '69. Thanks to all my Brothers and Sisters, past, present and future, who have served this great nation. God Bless America. |
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Spc. Chad C. Fuller Company B, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division
Pvt. Giovanny Maria Company A, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division Pfc. Evan W. O'Neill Company A, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division Pfc. Adam L. Thomas Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division |
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In memory of Sgt. Jordan D. "Buck" Buchanan, my dad, who served in E-Company during WWII. He survived the landing at Salerno, Italy; leading his men up the beach. I remember his telling of the landing. It wasn't until the movie "Saving Pvt Ryan" that I understood the horror of which Dad spoke. Dad passed in 2006.
In memory of Sgt. Allie Clinton "A.C." Wooten, my father-in-law, who served in the Pacific during WWII. Having only one eye, he worked "behind the lines"... though Japanese snipers and bombers blurred the line. He led the Wooten clan until his death in 2006. In memory of Floyd Young, my uncle, who served in the Navy in WWII as a carpenter aboard an aircraft carrier. In memory of A.D. Nanny, my uncle, who drove a tank in Korea. All of these men had a positive impact on me as I grew. I loved their war stories. Watching them work and lead their respective families gave me a glimpse into the man in combat. My brothers followed our father's lead, joining the Army. One, Rodney, during Vietnam through retirement. The other, Rick, during Desert Storm. Three of my eldest's sons served in Iraq... sometimes all there at the same time. They are a living tribute... a legacy. I need only to see any one of them to know the measure of that given. To all of those gone, I remember. |
My M.I.L.'s 1st husband:
Charles William Bryan Corporal 1ST SQD, 1ST PLT, B CO, 3RD RECON BN, 3RD MARDIV United States Marine Corps 27 September 1947 - 20 January 1968 Mc Kinney, Texas Navy Cross recipient My great uncle: Woodrow P. Kimpton, PFC U.S. Army KIA Bouganville, WWII |
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My grandfather, Norm Redding. Norm commanded two AAA halftracks in WWII ETO with D Battery, 796th AAA AW Bn (SP), attached 10th Armor. Saw the bulge and beyond, ending up working in a POW camp. Never would talk about it, but luckily an LT in his battery wrote a detailed account of their work. He died May '98.
My grandmother, Betty Jane Ward Redding worked as a welder on ships somewhere in the northwest. I never knew until years after she died in '94. My great grandfather on my dad's side, Jewel Erskin Wilson, served in WWI, was gassed, lost all of his medals in a housefire. Tried to volunteer for WWII but was "too old." My father, Don Cochran, reluctantly served as a draftee, and although he hated it, I appreciated what he did. My uncle, Danny Cochran, USN. My many friends, still living, that have served have taught me a lot and I appreciate and respect them all. Mike Brown, USMC - Lebanon and Grenada Dan Keane, USMC Scott Stone, 82nd ABN - Desert Storm Bill "Birdman" Drolsbaugh, USN - Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Jeff Reese, USMC - Desert Storm James Davis, USMC - Iraq and Afghanistan Thank you all, for your service, for your sacrifice. Wish I had a scanner. |
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My friends aboard Hell-Bound-Cadillac's final mission, a/c 349, Colossal-31, 3/10 AVN, 10th Mountain Div, KIA Konar Province Afghnistan 2006:
CW3 Eric W. "Tater" Totten CW2 Christopher B. Donaldson SSG Christopher T. Howick SGT Jeffery S. "Wie-Wie" Wiekamp SGT Bryan A. Brewster SGT John C. Griffith My Grandfather: GM1 Wayne Maxey, USN, Korea & Vietnam, d.1981 My Step-Grandfather: EMC Walter Trahan, USN, Vietnam, d.2007 My Uncle: SP4 Sandy O'Neil, 173rd ABN Brigade, Vietnam, d.1998 May they have the peace now that they didn't have in life. -RH |
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I would like to remember my father, flew F4-U's in Gudacanel during WWII, passed away 4 years ago. My brother, perished in Hue '68. Al my buddies who bought it learning to land on the boat during flight school in antiques older than we where. To the others who where just doing their job, but small things caused them to move on to a quieter place during the no-war period when we just had to float about for intimidation. The list is long, landing on the boat is not for folks that fear dying.
I really like to thank all those Yuppies, who now suddenly feel strongly for our country. Yet during that fun period of Vietnam, felt they had to wait outside the Men's Gym at UCLA while us Midshipmen in NROTC had to go out to drill. I felt so honored to spit upon and called a baby killer weekly. I really particularly want to thank those that felt we should die there on campus by blowing up our wardroom. Thank God, I tend to be late. I really like to point out those chicken hawks on this day, lest we not forget, their particular form of cowardly patriotism. I hope they die with the coward's knots in their guts for running off to Canada while the rest of us died and served. I never want my sons to endure that. |
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In memory of Grandpa 'Tex' a strapping curly blond haired, blue eyed 17 year old with a comforting southern drawl who signed up for WW2 before he was able.
He didn't really talk too much about the war, but if it was late and he had a few too many, you might hear of how as a young guy separated from his unit, scared shit less, sun fading, just trying to find a place to hide until the next day he bumped into a strapping, blond haired, blue eyed, too young German soldier. Both young men stood frozen with fear neither quite able to move until Grandpa 'Tex' shot the German. If you heard him tell that story you also would have seen an old man with tears running down his cheeks tell of how sure he was that that German was probably a good guy and under other circumstances would have been his friend. Even though Grandpa 'Tex' survived the war, I think a little bit of him died with the young German he killed. |
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