WW II Veterans

[coyote711]

"My Dad was in World War II, but he never talked about it much".

It seems if there were a universal statement about WWII Vets, the above statement would be it. Certainly true in my case. In addition to my Dad, all of my uncles (5) and one aunt served in WWII, and the same is true of them.

My Dad passed away a little over 8 years ago, and I can recall only 2 times that he ever mentioned anything related to the war. Once was right before he was to go into the operating room for heart surgery ..... this is a man that never talked about feelings or emotions, or ever complained about anything ..... he said "I haven't been this scared since Iwo Jima". (He was wounded there and received the Purple Heart).

The second time was years later, in the hospital a few days before he passed away, while he was hooked up to all that stuff they hook you up to in those places, and all doped up and not knowing what he was saying ..... "No Sir, I'm just a private first class ...".

So I know my Dad never forgot WWII - I sure wish I could have been one of his buddies back then and got to know him at that time of his life.

From one veteran to another, and from Son to Father, I'll be giving Dad a salute this Memorial Day. And a salute to all veterans. Hope you'll do the same!

 

[cj65]

Thank you for reminding me. I need to rig a light for my ol' glory, and leave it up all weekend. I am getting foggy eyed for our men and women who died for us while I post this. It really is what this 3 day weekend is about. I am one of those civilians who gets pissed off when our military is criticized unfairly due to pt behavior. I am thankful for their sacrifices, old and new.

I used to be a Sales/Office Manager and would send a group email to all our associates. The owner of the company is a vet, and I emailed to all something to the effect, "Remember our fighting men and women whom this weekend honors..." Leave it to some idiot in operations (not under my hire and fire group) to respond to my email to keep my POLITICAL views out of group emails. I showed his response to the owner, and he said, "Don't worry Chris, he won't be with us much longer anyways." I was happy to see that happen. Regardless of his moronicity in his personal views, he sucked in distribution as well. He was a double sucker.

 

[Michael Dye]

I agree. My Dad went into Normandy on D-Day. T-Sgt Medic. Wounded 7 days in...never talked much about it. Both Uncles on Dad's side served...one in Pacific Submarine and other USAF cargo pilot in Pacific. Mom's Bro was in Merrells Mauraders....none of them spoke much about the war.. BUT, in talking with the Cargo Pilot Uncle (on Dad's side), he mentioned he dropped supplies to the Mauraders. He did not know my Mom's bro was one of the guys on the ground he was supporting. A Great Generation indeed.

 

[joe-bob]

My father-in-law was a Navy Seabee in WWII and was shot in the leg by a Japanese sniper during his 3rd day on Okinawa. He was driving a bulldozer in order to repair the runway so that the US planes could start using it. He also, didn't talk about it much, but it was something he was always proud of. He passed about a year and a half ago.

BTW--the gunshot wound didn't bother him over the years, but he did suffer life-long health problems as a result of the malaria he contracted in the S. Pacific.

 

[butchesforge]

BLess them all-My dad passed last month,would have been 97.He joined the Marines in '44,30+ yrs old,three kids at home,fought on Iwo Jima wounded by sharpnel,almost bled out.He could have gotten full disability but wouldn't take it,took 50%--Toughest man I knew---Yes sir,that was a different generation,didn't want anything given to them--Best Regards Butch

 

[mwerner]

My dad served in the Pacific. Like the OP, he would never talk much about what he experienced, though he would tell funny stories about stealing the officer's ice-cream making machine and flying "beer runs" to the mainland in a Catalina.
He was in the navy, so wouldn't have taken part in any of the bloody island invasions, but during the early part of the war the navy was not a pleasant duty....