pigeon wrote:confuZion3 wrote:Oh, I disagree. Here's proof: ugly puppiesignorant wrote:Hey, I'm not here to judge you! (And for the record, there are no ugly puppies.)confuZion3 wrote:but they were ugly puppies.ignorant wrote: I am against the 2nd amendment. And I put puppies in bags and throw them into rivers when I'm bored.I found it!
Awwww man....and I was about to eat too.....
My granddad on my mom's side was at Dutch Harbor when the japanese attacked. He said that the planes were flying in so low he could see each of the pilots faces. He also brought home a Luger from Europe but unfortunately he traded it for part of the payment for a tractor.
JFX001 wrote:pigeon wrote:Awwww man....and I was about to eat too.....confuZion3 wrote:Oh, I disagree. Here's proof: ugly puppiesignorant wrote:Hey, I'm not here to judge you! (And for the record, there are no ugly puppies.)confuZion3 wrote:but they were ugly puppies.ignorant wrote: I am against the 2nd amendment. And I put puppies in bags and throw them into rivers when I'm bored.I found it!
We're having our own side-conversation!
Boy so many great stories. I rarely get very emotional, but this thread has made me.
My dad was in the Army late in WWII. He almost never talked about his expereiences. All I know as he was a Sgt, was in the Phillipines and toted a Thompson. He had a box of photos (soldiers used to trade for them) that were pretty gross. Some great pictures of B-29s for as far as the eye can see, I guess on Tinian. He died in 1972 at the age of 46 when I was a young pup in college. All I was concerned with at the time was finding a place to put my special purpose, not learning about my family tree. He did talk about his time after the war when he was sent to Korea until he was sent home. All they did was hunted and fished. He was country boy so that brought him great pleasure. Dad pretty much killed his liver with Jim Beam, and I suspect the war may have had something to do with his drinking.
I had an uncle that served on the USS Cabot, which received several battle stars. He mustered out with his 45 1911 which he later sold for $45. Another uncle served on the USS Midway. Another uncle served in the Marines and was on Pelelieu. Now he could tell some stories.
There is a great movie on cable now where Kevin Bacon escorts a dead soldier home. The name escapes me at the moment. I don't know if this is the reference made about Kevin Bacon earlier, but I highly recommend everyone watch this movie.
Boy, I'm going home now.
One of the things my grandfather regularly points out is that our family is here today because of the Atomic Bomb. His squadron was slated to provide close air support for the mainland invasion of Japan.
In the briefing they were told to expect 50% casualties for their squadron, and significantly higher casualties on the ground. Their orders for providing air support were, "If it moves and it's not one of ours, shoot it."
One of the interesting things he is adamant about pointing out in these stories is that he is not a hero. As far as he's concerned, he was just doing what he was supposed to, flying every day. I really plan to turn this into a book, and I think that's going to be the title, "I am Not a Hero". And then have a picture of him in the cockpit of his airplane or something.
Salanis wrote: One of the interesting things he is adamant about pointing out in these stories is that he is not a hero. As far as he's concerned, he was just doing what he was supposed to, flying every day. I really plan to turn this into a book, and I think that's going to be the title, "I am Not a Hero". And then have a picture of him in the cockpit of his airplane or something.
Like so many other things, if someone has to tell you they are, then they probably aren't; and if they try to tell you they aren't, then they probably are.
Spend the time with your grandpa while you can. I lost my last one (the one I was closest to) this past December. I've got no regrets, but I still miss him a lot.
That's why I love going to Oshkosh. EAAers have a great sense of history. I saw this Corsair driver get mobbed by people who appreciated what he did. Thanking him, and asking for autographs (myself included.)To which he said, "Hell, I don't know why you'd want my autograph, all I ever did was fly F4Us..."
Billy: I am spending as much time with him as I can. They live nearby, and it's nice to have them reasonably close.
Appleseed wrote: That's why I love going to Oshkosh. EAAers have a great sense of history. I saw this Corsair driver get mobbed by people who appreciated what he did. Thanking him, and asking for autographs (myself included.)To which he said, "Hell, I don't know why you'd want my autograph, all I ever did was fly F4Us..."
That's another great thing my family shares. We're all EAAers. We used to all go to Oshkosh together. My grandfather got me dad into flying, and he got me into flying. We have a cool picture of the three generations of us standing next to the three planes that we flew... y'know, back when my grandfather had his medical, and my dad had money.
Last year, my dad gave my grandfather the best birthday present. He rented a 172 for the day and let my grandfather fly it all day. My grandfather just loved the opportunity to have some left-seat time again.
Do you want to hear how I got my M4A1? it's a good story.
hang on a second, I have to check with my FBI handler if it is OK to post here....
Salanis wrote: Last year, my dad gave my grandfather the best birthday present. He rented a 172 for the day and let my grandfather fly it all day. My grandfather just loved the opportunity to have some left-seat time again.
I vote that for the Best Birthday Gift award. That is so cool!
spitfirebill wrote: ...There is a great movie on cable now where Kevin Bacon escorts a dead soldier home. The name escapes me at the moment. I don't know if this is the reference made about Kevin Bacon earlier, but I highly recommend everyone watch this movie....
Taking Chance
I think it was slightly overdone, but effective none the less. That definitely has to a tough duty.
When I was much younger I was talking to a friend of the family. Somehow WWII came up and I asked him where were you when Pearl Harbor was bombed. He said "I was at Hickam Field lacing up my boots". That was all he said and wouldn't say anymore. That was over thirty years ago and I'm still moved by his comment.
Everyone who is in uniform or ever has been are all heros.
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