…who will you be thinking about this Memorial Day?
50 Comments on If We Aren’t Prying…
My flight instructor from the Summer of 1970 a Medal of Honor recipient Clyde Lassen:
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (J.G.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors’ position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29).
My uncle Neil.He was an accomplished army interpreter for a General in Guam during the 50’s. Spoke 3 languages. He came home secretly to surprise his family and was hit by a drunk driver in ’59 and died. I read a lot of his letters home and he was quite a guy. Wish I had gotten to know him.
Not myself as I am not a Veteran. And Not the people who show up to here the speeches and invocations as they do at least “show up”! And not the Veterans there in uniform, as many are my friends. They KNOW!! It is about the deceased those who didn’t come back……period!
My uncle Francis. Normandy 1944.
All the men and women who answered the call of duty, honor, country and asked themselves, “If not me, who?” And I will be especially thinking of a dear CO, Colonel George A. Bocci, a man who embodied all that is right and good about the United States Air Force.
I will be thinking of Elizabeth Hurley with her legs propped up on the mantelpiece and wanting it. Just like any hotblooded American boy waiting to kill the enemy would.
My Daddy did not die in the Pacific in WWII but he died too young from injuries he received and the Lucky Strikes they included in the rations. He had not smoked before but started then because there was never enough to eat he said. He was a Marine Raider and the best man I have yet known.
It’s always the same guys I see every night when I go back there. Some were so new I didn’t even know their names, but will always see their faces.
My dad, WWII army private who won the Bronze Star at the Battle of the Rohr River. Made numerous crossings to save drowning soldiers and rescue the wounded while under German mortar and rifle fire.
I didn’t learn the details until after he had died. By the way he never knew how to swim.
My dad was a Marine and served the Pacific theater in WWII. He was only one of three that survived in his platoon. Second Maine Division. He served on Tarawa, Siapan,Guadalcanalet Canal, Tinian. Died of lung cancer. Smoking Camel and Lucky Strikes. Came from El Campo, TX. Dirt farmers with never enough to eat. He always said nothing else mattered except having enough food on the table. He inspired me to join the USAF. Thinking of you dad
😙
Great Uncle Jim – WWI, Navy, interned at Arlington National Cemetery
Uncle Scotty – WWII, Marines
Uncle Frank – WWII, Army
My dad, RIP, WWII Marine served in the Pacific theater.
In Memory of my Team Member, Corporal Jimmy Worth, USMC, Sub Unit One, 1st ANGLICO.
Vietnam, MIA/KIA, Body not recovered.
Semper Fi, Jimmy.
You are not forgotten.
I Pray you’ll get home to your family.
I visited the National Navy Seal Museum last Tuesday. I’m still thinking of the list of heroes killed in the line of duty.
My Great uncle went down with the Bismark. Nobody in my family lived long enough to tell me about him. There’s a photo of my Great grandfather in the hospital after being wounded by a daisy cutter in WWI. He was smiling. It only tore off half his leg.
Soldiers fight for whomever they are told to. Politicians are the ones who bear the brunt of the reason.
My wife’s dad, USMC GySgt Korea/Vietnam (ret/dec), her youngest son Army 1Lt (active duty/dec), my dad’s uncle Army Sgt (kia/dec) buried in the Allied cemetery Normandy FR, my mom’s dad Navy Boilermaker WW2 USS Quincy CA-71 (dec)
Nick Mason and Dave Ruhren. Young, determined, bright. Cut down by a suicide bomber 200 yards away from where I stood 21 Dec 2004. I would have been sitting with them that day, but was delayed by another matter. Somehow the young were taken and an old dog like me wasn’t. I can’t square the loss of potential and waste of talent even after 13 years. I miss them.
My dad. He was a cook in the Army Air Corps European Theater, mostly Belgium. He used to tell us stories when he and his buddy, Pancho, got into trouble. They once “borrowed” a general’s jeep to go to the bar. And the time he was driving a supply of food to the camp and got strafed by the Germans. He almost died the time he jumped on a moving train thru the window. He had been chatting with the ladies and the train took off without him. We were regaled with many stories like that.
But the one I am most proud of, he never said a word. It was after his death that we found a medal that we never knew about. We inquired about it and received a letter explaining that it was a Bronze Star. He was awarded that medal after an incident at their air base. A plane was coming in that was all shot up and trailing smoke. The pilot tried to land but it crashed. My dad ran out to the crash and pulled the pilot free. As he was heading back for the co-pilot, the plane blew up. I grew up with my dad waking screaming at least once a month. All the rest of his life. We never knew why and he never told us.
He died on his 80th birthday. He is now at peace. I miss you, dad.
Uncle Jim Lynch. Flew the baddest plane in WWII, the Corsair. It was amazing reading his flight log books for recon. He was very precise to say the least. Went on to work for NASA and even has a piece of equipment he designed on the moon. The Lynchometer. Good man. Passed away about 2 years ago.
The Benghazi Heroes. A haunting story that still breaks my heart. Not so Merry when I think about them waiting for the help that never came.
I pray for all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
My dad was 22 when WW2 broke out. At the Bulge he won the Bronze Star for pulling tank mechanics and truck drivers into an infantry unit which kicked ass, even took Germsn prisoners. He would never talk about the War, and I learned his record from the Archives after he died too young.
I also honor my Confederate ancestors who left their careers and died to defend their homes and their grandfathers’ Constitution against the tyrant Abraham Lincoln.
My dad, Bobby Ronnie. How’s that for a redneck southern name? He served in the Navy in Viettnam. He was not the best dad, but he passed last year and we made our peace on his deathbed.
My wife’s father was a machine gunner on a battle ship that got Kamakazi’d. Wounded, and survived, and then treated like shit by the VA for the rest of his life.
Sometimes I think about myself, and the fact that I did not serve. The draft had just ended (my lottery number was 5, so I would have gone) and I thought I had dodged a bullet. I don’t think it is shame that I feel, but I would be prouder of myself if I had. Thank you to all that have served, and especially to those that gave all. Words are not enough.
To all who have relatives or friends that died while serving or because of serving: Write it down. Tell the children. Make a video for YT. Let people know, not just how they died, but why. They didn’t die so our schools and universities could teach the following generations that America was an evil country from the very start. They died so that our people could have the freedom to do, express, and rise to whatever heights that they wre/are capable. But it takes a moral compass.
My father was in the RCAF, stationed in England, he worked on Radar. He died last year.
Had uncles who fought North Africa under Montgomery. My older brother was a Navy Corpsman, My younger brother and myself were Marines. He saw a lot of combat in Vietnam.
My Dad’s 3 older brothers were all World War 2 vets, Ray who will be 99 in Sept. was in the Navy both in WW2 and Korea and was a CPO. Roy was also in The Navy and was air crew on a PBY flying boat in the S. Pacific and Ross who was 89 when he died a year ago was an Airborne paratrooper at the end of the war, he missed the war in Europe but served occupation duty in Japan after the war. My Dad was in the Air Force after the war and before the Korean war, he was stationed at Templehoff AFB in Germany during the Berlin Airlift in 1947-48 and just basely missed the Korean War since he was mustered out of the AF the day before the Korean War started in June 1950 (otherwise I might not be here), the next day Truman gave orders that everyone still in the military was in for the duration of the Korean War. My Mom’s older brother Bob was a Marine with the 5th Marine Division and was at Iwo Jima and survived it and witnessed the flag being raised atop Mt. Suribachi. And my Father in law Bob Coomes originally a tobacco farmer’s son from Kentucky was a crew chief on B-29’s during the Korean War and seemingly in the Wash. Air Natl. Guard forever until the late 80’s. There are also far too many of my friends who served in Vietnam to name and numerous nephews who served as Marines during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, one who received a people heart when he had an IED literally blow up in front of his face while he was gunner on a Humvee, he’s one very lucky young man, it could’ve been far worse. And one last nephew who just graduated from college at EWU and is scheduled to go to Quantico to become a Marine Corps. Officer this fall. And one last mention of a young man (on my Mom’s side of the family) who was at Lexington on April, 19 1775 at the beginning of the American Revolution.
My dad and all of his buddies..
Attend the nearest Memorial Day event tomorrow.
Take the time. Your heart will swell with pride for your country and gratitude for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for you and your family and friends.
My 2 great uncles in WWII. And all of the men that died while serving alongside my friend, Marshall Harris in the battles of Iwo Jima and Saipan. When he talks about them, he gets tears in his eyes and choked up every time. He’s still here to tell their stories, but his buddies gave all. God bless the men and women who sacrificed their lives so that I could be free. ALL of them.
My Grandfather; killed on the “Bataan Death March”
Six uncles, all brothers. Three were in Europe in WW2. One of them, who participated in the D-Day invasion was later in Hawaii on his way west for the invasion of Japan. His wife was also in the Army. Another brother was in the Pacific in WW2. Later two brother were in Korean War. One of them was career Air Force and was also in Vietnam. They are all now deceased. A third cousin was a Marine sniper killed in Vietnam 1970.
Another is my friend Bob. We were crewmates on a submarine in the 70s, he passed away two years ago.
My daddy who served in the Pacific in WWII on board a Carrier Vessel Escort that was hit by a kamikaze. The ship was about to go down, but miraculously– and I do mean that– righted, and it was able to make it to port for repairs. Like most WWII vets, Daddy rarely talked about his service. He died in 2006 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was a good man who is greatly missed.
I have no one close who gave his life, so I embrace them all, and give thanks for their sacrifice and their bravery, because that is the currency they used to pay for my freedom.
My Dad was in the Coast Guard on an ice cutter in the North Sea during WWII. My Uncles survived the Pearl Harbor bombing. My Father-in-law parachuted in France. Many friends/acquaintances served in Viet Nam – some here, too many gone. And, the rest of the military. Thank you.
Boy, I feel like an ass.
I completely forgot about my Father-In-Law, who just passed away in December. He fought in Korea.
Sorry Walt.
My Great-Grandfather, he was last before me to join the military. He served in The Civil War. I had his rifle and citations for using it until my family fell on hard times and my dad sold it to the Historical Society.
My husbands oldest brother, Roy, was in the Army Air Corps. Died on Iwo Jima. Although Roy was the only one who sacrificed his life, all his family is to be honored – 2 other brothers were sub mariners in WWII. My hubby was in the Air Force in Korea, his son was in the navy in Vietnam and his grandson in the marines in Iraq. We owe them all so much.
My uncle Merrill- WWII.
Everyone on the Wall.
Not Trump’s wall. The other one.
Every one of them, that’s who I’m remembering and thinking of……each and every one of them😢
@Vietvet:
“Everyone on the Wall.” Absolutely. Many, MANY thanks to them and also for your service, Sir. God bless.
My son in laws Grandfather is on the Vietnam Veterans memorial. He was an Air Force F-108 fighter pilot who was shot down and killed by a N. Vietnamese SAM over N. Vietnam about 1966 or 67. I don’t know much about him except for what little I have heard from my daughter. The Vietnam memorial is an awe inspiring place, I saw it on a trip to Wash. D.C. in May 1972 but more awe inspiring was Arlington Natl. Cemetery. I spent most of a day by myself walking and wandering thru there just looking at graves of many, many veterans from all the wars since the Civil War up to now. It was a humbling experience and I’m glad I went. I still want to go to Gettysburg, Normandy and Bastogne and spend some time there. God bless all of our vets both living and dead, we owe them a lot for our continuing freedom.
My step father, who passed away about a decade ago. He was a charming but deeply flawed Korean Vet who lied about his age to sign up for the marines. Gotta love him for that.
I visited the East Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery this afternoon. My dear friend Faye passed away on May 7th this year and is interred there. My Dad also served in the USAF from 1956-1960. My Great Uncles Arnie Rice And George Ulseth in US Army in WW2, Europe (still living)
Of particular note is a local Knoxville man. His remains were recently recovered and re-interred next to his parents. I attended his burial and was moved beyond word by the ceremony. Posthumously awarded the CMOH.
This is a great read. Thanks BFH. I am what they call a “Cold War Veteran,” and I have a cap to prove it. I was in Italy from 1961 to 1964 when we had “The Bay of Pigs,” 1961, The building of the Berlin Wall, 1961, the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962, and the horrible
assassination of our President JFK in 1963. These were difficult times, hairy times, in the military, but thank God they remained cold.
In the early 1970s a group of us from Rockland went to a Jet Game in Queens. After the game we stopped to “water the horses” at a Bar in Woodside, Queens. There I met a guy named Bobby O’Malley. He told me I had his mother’s maiden name so we chatted away, mostly about Ireland and small talk. I later found out that he was Cpl. Robert Emmett O’Malley, Congressional Medal of Honor, Vietnam, 1966. I’m not finished.
Some years later I read an article by Denis Hamill in the NY Daily News about “Two buddies from Queens.”
O’Malley’s childhood buddy from Woodside Tommy Noonan, joined the Marines some time after Bobby. Tommy was killed in Vietnam and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery.
Two kids from Woodside.. God Bless them and their families this Memorial Day.
Last I heard Bobby works on a farm in Texas.
Have a proud Memorial Day, Moe!
To all of the submarine sailors and civilians who
have lost their lives at sea during peacetime.
God bless you, we remember.
My father, who was a radioman/gunner in the Army Air Corps, in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was a member of the 69th Bomb Squadron, 13th Air Force.
My flight instructor from the Summer of 1970 a Medal of Honor recipient Clyde Lassen:
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as pilot and aircraft commander of a search and rescue helicopter, attached to Helicopter Support Squadron 7, during operations against enemy forces in North Vietnam. Launched shortly after midnight to attempt the rescue of 2 downed aviators, Lt. (then Lt. (J.G.)) Lassen skillfully piloted his aircraft over unknown and hostile terrain to a steep, tree-covered hill on which the survivors had been located. Although enemy fire was being directed at the helicopter, he initially landed in a clear area near the base of the hill, but, due to the dense undergrowth, the survivors could not reach the helicopter. With the aid of flare illumination, Lt. Lassen successfully accomplished a hover between 2 trees at the survivors’ position Illumination was abruptly lost as the last of the flares were expended, and the helicopter collided with a tree, commencing a sharp descent. Expertly righting his aircraft and maneuvering clear, Lt. Lassen remained in the area, determined to make another rescue attempt, and encouraged the downed aviators while awaiting resumption of flare illumination. After another unsuccessful, illuminated rescue attempt, and with his fuel dangerously low and his aircraft significantly damaged, he launched again and commenced another approach in the face of the continuing enemy opposition. When flare illumination was again lost, Lt. Lassen, fully aware of the dangers in clearly revealing his position to the enemy, turned on his landing lights and completed the landing. On this attempt, the survivors were able to make their way to the helicopter. En route to the coast he encountered and successfully evaded additional hostile antiaircraft fire and, with fuel for only 5 minutes of flight remaining, landed safely aboard U.S.S. Jouett (DLG-29).
My uncle Neil.He was an accomplished army interpreter for a General in Guam during the 50’s. Spoke 3 languages. He came home secretly to surprise his family and was hit by a drunk driver in ’59 and died. I read a lot of his letters home and he was quite a guy. Wish I had gotten to know him.
Not myself as I am not a Veteran. And Not the people who show up to here the speeches and invocations as they do at least “show up”! And not the Veterans there in uniform, as many are my friends. They KNOW!! It is about the deceased those who didn’t come back……period!
My uncle Francis. Normandy 1944.
All the men and women who answered the call of duty, honor, country and asked themselves, “If not me, who?” And I will be especially thinking of a dear CO, Colonel George A. Bocci, a man who embodied all that is right and good about the United States Air Force.
I will be thinking of Elizabeth Hurley with her legs propped up on the mantelpiece and wanting it. Just like any hotblooded American boy waiting to kill the enemy would.
My Daddy did not die in the Pacific in WWII but he died too young from injuries he received and the Lucky Strikes they included in the rations. He had not smoked before but started then because there was never enough to eat he said. He was a Marine Raider and the best man I have yet known.
Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipients:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Medal_of_Honor_recipients_for_the_Vietnam_War#L
It’s always the same guys I see every night when I go back there. Some were so new I didn’t even know their names, but will always see their faces.
My dad, WWII army private who won the Bronze Star at the Battle of the Rohr River. Made numerous crossings to save drowning soldiers and rescue the wounded while under German mortar and rifle fire.
I didn’t learn the details until after he had died. By the way he never knew how to swim.
My dad was a Marine and served the Pacific theater in WWII. He was only one of three that survived in his platoon. Second Maine Division. He served on Tarawa, Siapan,Guadalcanalet Canal, Tinian. Died of lung cancer. Smoking Camel and Lucky Strikes. Came from El Campo, TX. Dirt farmers with never enough to eat. He always said nothing else mattered except having enough food on the table. He inspired me to join the USAF. Thinking of you dad
😙
Great Uncle Jim – WWI, Navy, interned at Arlington National Cemetery
Uncle Scotty – WWII, Marines
Uncle Frank – WWII, Army
My dad, RIP, WWII Marine served in the Pacific theater.
In Memory of my Team Member, Corporal Jimmy Worth, USMC, Sub Unit One, 1st ANGLICO.
Vietnam, MIA/KIA, Body not recovered.
Semper Fi, Jimmy.
You are not forgotten.
I Pray you’ll get home to your family.
I visited the National Navy Seal Museum last Tuesday. I’m still thinking of the list of heroes killed in the line of duty.
My Great uncle went down with the Bismark. Nobody in my family lived long enough to tell me about him. There’s a photo of my Great grandfather in the hospital after being wounded by a daisy cutter in WWI. He was smiling. It only tore off half his leg.
Soldiers fight for whomever they are told to. Politicians are the ones who bear the brunt of the reason.
My wife’s dad, USMC GySgt Korea/Vietnam (ret/dec), her youngest son Army 1Lt (active duty/dec), my dad’s uncle Army Sgt (kia/dec) buried in the Allied cemetery Normandy FR, my mom’s dad Navy Boilermaker WW2 USS Quincy CA-71 (dec)
Nick Mason and Dave Ruhren. Young, determined, bright. Cut down by a suicide bomber 200 yards away from where I stood 21 Dec 2004. I would have been sitting with them that day, but was delayed by another matter. Somehow the young were taken and an old dog like me wasn’t. I can’t square the loss of potential and waste of talent even after 13 years. I miss them.
My dad. He was a cook in the Army Air Corps European Theater, mostly Belgium. He used to tell us stories when he and his buddy, Pancho, got into trouble. They once “borrowed” a general’s jeep to go to the bar. And the time he was driving a supply of food to the camp and got strafed by the Germans. He almost died the time he jumped on a moving train thru the window. He had been chatting with the ladies and the train took off without him. We were regaled with many stories like that.
But the one I am most proud of, he never said a word. It was after his death that we found a medal that we never knew about. We inquired about it and received a letter explaining that it was a Bronze Star. He was awarded that medal after an incident at their air base. A plane was coming in that was all shot up and trailing smoke. The pilot tried to land but it crashed. My dad ran out to the crash and pulled the pilot free. As he was heading back for the co-pilot, the plane blew up. I grew up with my dad waking screaming at least once a month. All the rest of his life. We never knew why and he never told us.
He died on his 80th birthday. He is now at peace. I miss you, dad.
Uncle Jim Lynch. Flew the baddest plane in WWII, the Corsair. It was amazing reading his flight log books for recon. He was very precise to say the least. Went on to work for NASA and even has a piece of equipment he designed on the moon. The Lynchometer. Good man. Passed away about 2 years ago.
The Benghazi Heroes. A haunting story that still breaks my heart. Not so Merry when I think about them waiting for the help that never came.
I pray for all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
My dad was 22 when WW2 broke out. At the Bulge he won the Bronze Star for pulling tank mechanics and truck drivers into an infantry unit which kicked ass, even took Germsn prisoners. He would never talk about the War, and I learned his record from the Archives after he died too young.
I also honor my Confederate ancestors who left their careers and died to defend their homes and their grandfathers’ Constitution against the tyrant Abraham Lincoln.
My dad, Bobby Ronnie. How’s that for a redneck southern name? He served in the Navy in Viettnam. He was not the best dad, but he passed last year and we made our peace on his deathbed.
My wife’s father was a machine gunner on a battle ship that got Kamakazi’d. Wounded, and survived, and then treated like shit by the VA for the rest of his life.
Sometimes I think about myself, and the fact that I did not serve. The draft had just ended (my lottery number was 5, so I would have gone) and I thought I had dodged a bullet. I don’t think it is shame that I feel, but I would be prouder of myself if I had. Thank you to all that have served, and especially to those that gave all. Words are not enough.
To all who have relatives or friends that died while serving or because of serving: Write it down. Tell the children. Make a video for YT. Let people know, not just how they died, but why. They didn’t die so our schools and universities could teach the following generations that America was an evil country from the very start. They died so that our people could have the freedom to do, express, and rise to whatever heights that they wre/are capable. But it takes a moral compass.
My father was in the RCAF, stationed in England, he worked on Radar. He died last year.
Had uncles who fought North Africa under Montgomery. My older brother was a Navy Corpsman, My younger brother and myself were Marines. He saw a lot of combat in Vietnam.
My Dad’s 3 older brothers were all World War 2 vets, Ray who will be 99 in Sept. was in the Navy both in WW2 and Korea and was a CPO. Roy was also in The Navy and was air crew on a PBY flying boat in the S. Pacific and Ross who was 89 when he died a year ago was an Airborne paratrooper at the end of the war, he missed the war in Europe but served occupation duty in Japan after the war. My Dad was in the Air Force after the war and before the Korean war, he was stationed at Templehoff AFB in Germany during the Berlin Airlift in 1947-48 and just basely missed the Korean War since he was mustered out of the AF the day before the Korean War started in June 1950 (otherwise I might not be here), the next day Truman gave orders that everyone still in the military was in for the duration of the Korean War. My Mom’s older brother Bob was a Marine with the 5th Marine Division and was at Iwo Jima and survived it and witnessed the flag being raised atop Mt. Suribachi. And my Father in law Bob Coomes originally a tobacco farmer’s son from Kentucky was a crew chief on B-29’s during the Korean War and seemingly in the Wash. Air Natl. Guard forever until the late 80’s. There are also far too many of my friends who served in Vietnam to name and numerous nephews who served as Marines during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, one who received a people heart when he had an IED literally blow up in front of his face while he was gunner on a Humvee, he’s one very lucky young man, it could’ve been far worse. And one last nephew who just graduated from college at EWU and is scheduled to go to Quantico to become a Marine Corps. Officer this fall. And one last mention of a young man (on my Mom’s side of the family) who was at Lexington on April, 19 1775 at the beginning of the American Revolution.
My dad and all of his buddies..
Attend the nearest Memorial Day event tomorrow.
Take the time. Your heart will swell with pride for your country and gratitude for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for you and your family and friends.
My 2 great uncles in WWII. And all of the men that died while serving alongside my friend, Marshall Harris in the battles of Iwo Jima and Saipan. When he talks about them, he gets tears in his eyes and choked up every time. He’s still here to tell their stories, but his buddies gave all. God bless the men and women who sacrificed their lives so that I could be free. ALL of them.
My Grandfather; killed on the “Bataan Death March”
Six uncles, all brothers. Three were in Europe in WW2. One of them, who participated in the D-Day invasion was later in Hawaii on his way west for the invasion of Japan. His wife was also in the Army. Another brother was in the Pacific in WW2. Later two brother were in Korean War. One of them was career Air Force and was also in Vietnam. They are all now deceased. A third cousin was a Marine sniper killed in Vietnam 1970.
Another is my friend Bob. We were crewmates on a submarine in the 70s, he passed away two years ago.
My daddy who served in the Pacific in WWII on board a Carrier Vessel Escort that was hit by a kamikaze. The ship was about to go down, but miraculously– and I do mean that– righted, and it was able to make it to port for repairs. Like most WWII vets, Daddy rarely talked about his service. He died in 2006 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was a good man who is greatly missed.
I have no one close who gave his life, so I embrace them all, and give thanks for their sacrifice and their bravery, because that is the currency they used to pay for my freedom.
My Dad was in the Coast Guard on an ice cutter in the North Sea during WWII. My Uncles survived the Pearl Harbor bombing. My Father-in-law parachuted in France. Many friends/acquaintances served in Viet Nam – some here, too many gone. And, the rest of the military. Thank you.
Boy, I feel like an ass.
I completely forgot about my Father-In-Law, who just passed away in December. He fought in Korea.
Sorry Walt.
My Great-Grandfather, he was last before me to join the military. He served in The Civil War. I had his rifle and citations for using it until my family fell on hard times and my dad sold it to the Historical Society.
My husbands oldest brother, Roy, was in the Army Air Corps. Died on Iwo Jima. Although Roy was the only one who sacrificed his life, all his family is to be honored – 2 other brothers were sub mariners in WWII. My hubby was in the Air Force in Korea, his son was in the navy in Vietnam and his grandson in the marines in Iraq. We owe them all so much.
My uncle Merrill- WWII.
Everyone on the Wall.
Not Trump’s wall. The other one.
Every one of them, that’s who I’m remembering and thinking of……each and every one of them😢
@Vietvet:
“Everyone on the Wall.” Absolutely. Many, MANY thanks to them and also for your service, Sir. God bless.
My son in laws Grandfather is on the Vietnam Veterans memorial. He was an Air Force F-108 fighter pilot who was shot down and killed by a N. Vietnamese SAM over N. Vietnam about 1966 or 67. I don’t know much about him except for what little I have heard from my daughter. The Vietnam memorial is an awe inspiring place, I saw it on a trip to Wash. D.C. in May 1972 but more awe inspiring was Arlington Natl. Cemetery. I spent most of a day by myself walking and wandering thru there just looking at graves of many, many veterans from all the wars since the Civil War up to now. It was a humbling experience and I’m glad I went. I still want to go to Gettysburg, Normandy and Bastogne and spend some time there. God bless all of our vets both living and dead, we owe them a lot for our continuing freedom.
My step father, who passed away about a decade ago. He was a charming but deeply flawed Korean Vet who lied about his age to sign up for the marines. Gotta love him for that.
I visited the East Tennessee Veteran’s Cemetery this afternoon. My dear friend Faye passed away on May 7th this year and is interred there. My Dad also served in the USAF from 1956-1960. My Great Uncles Arnie Rice And George Ulseth in US Army in WW2, Europe (still living)
Of particular note is a local Knoxville man. His remains were recently recovered and re-interred next to his parents. I attended his burial and was moved beyond word by the ceremony. Posthumously awarded the CMOH.
http://www.cmohs.org/recipient-detail/2647/bonnyman-alexander-jr.php
http://www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/621144/1st-lt-alexander-bonnyman-jr-returns-home-from-tarawa/
This is a great read. Thanks BFH. I am what they call a “Cold War Veteran,” and I have a cap to prove it. I was in Italy from 1961 to 1964 when we had “The Bay of Pigs,” 1961, The building of the Berlin Wall, 1961, the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962, and the horrible
assassination of our President JFK in 1963. These were difficult times, hairy times, in the military, but thank God they remained cold.
In the early 1970s a group of us from Rockland went to a Jet Game in Queens. After the game we stopped to “water the horses” at a Bar in Woodside, Queens. There I met a guy named Bobby O’Malley. He told me I had his mother’s maiden name so we chatted away, mostly about Ireland and small talk. I later found out that he was Cpl. Robert Emmett O’Malley, Congressional Medal of Honor, Vietnam, 1966. I’m not finished.
Some years later I read an article by Denis Hamill in the NY Daily News about “Two buddies from Queens.”
O’Malley’s childhood buddy from Woodside Tommy Noonan, joined the Marines some time after Bobby. Tommy was killed in Vietnam and received the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery.
Two kids from Woodside.. God Bless them and their families this Memorial Day.
Last I heard Bobby works on a farm in Texas.
Have a proud Memorial Day, Moe!
To all of the submarine sailors and civilians who
have lost their lives at sea during peacetime.
God bless you, we remember.
My father, who was a radioman/gunner in the Army Air Corps, in the Pacific Theater during WWII. He was a member of the 69th Bomb Squadron, 13th Air Force.