Let's all remember.

I would like to thank everyone who has served and fought to protect my freedom, I think about that subject more and more the older I get. I was going to enlist in the navy after high school with my best friend in the buddy buddy system. He called me one day and said sorry I just enlisted in the marines, needless to say I was shocked and didnt persue enlistment any further. If I ever need a reminder of sacrifice I only need to look to a great uncle who was a escaped P.O.W. in Italy, and another uncle who survived the beach head at Okinawa. They are and always will be my heroes. Once again I would like to thank all of you who have served in defense of our great country.

Hello to all,
as a german army veteran, its good to see that in other countries the army and the veterans will have respect for the duty thy did for their country. Born 1966 i heard only the stories from my mother ; she told me that my hometown Hannover was liberated by 83rd US Division. And for us Germans we should have respect for US Forces, cause from Liberation 1945 to Berlin airlift and to the Reunion of Germany they stood as comrades and friends. So, a big salute for the fallen american soldiers at Pearl

Thomas

We will never forget Pearl Harbor especially here in the Philippines where we were in the receiving end of a similar attack a few hours later (It was December 8 here).

QUOTE: Originally posted by Lucien Harpress "Let's all remember that 62 years ago Sunday, the U.S. was drawn into a worldwide war..." (original post- don't know how to quote yet) Very eloquently put. At the risk of sounding repetitve, it is nonetheless important to remember Pearl Harbor, for all that it represents. Excellent topic!

Thank you ALL for the response's to my post.
I too, have had the honor of being with and shaking the hands of many vet's from WWII, Korea, Vietnam, the 1991 Gulf war and the current actions in Afghanistan and Iraq.
To you LUCIEN. Let me just say this. I have never considered myself to be eloquent. Just an ordinary, flag wavin', rednecked AMERICAN!!!!
GOD BLESS this great land!!!!
In the words of Lynrd Skynrd, "my hair's turnin' white. My collar's still blue and my neck's ALWAY'S been red." So I guess that means, I've always been RED, WHITE and BLUE!!!
Again, thank you all. And thank you to all the vet's and current members of the greatest military on earth!!!

Randie

rangerj,

A very nice post my friend. I agree wholeheartedly. Thank You.

Mike

A year ago in June I was in England. I stopped to see Stratford on the Avon river, Shakespears home. Just out side of town is an American Cemetery dedicated to U.S. Servicemen from WWII. As you go through the main entrance there stands a flag pole with the U.S. Flag and no other. As far as the eye can see, and then some, are white crosses and Star of David grave markers in neat rows and in alphabetical order. There is a beautiful Chaple dedicated to the unknown. The place is pristine. Between the chaple and the entrance is a wall with the names.

It was drizzling rain, but the llittle old English fellow was tending the flowers that surround the flag pole. I interrupted him and told him he would be soaking wet before long. His response was, "your a Yank". I confirmed it, and proceeded to compliment him on the condition of the grounds. His response, "it's the least WE can do for them lads", as he looked over at the white markers. I thanked him and he just nodded and went about his business. We are not the only ones who have not forgotten.

I have since found out there are many such cemeteries in England, France, Italy, Germany, and many other places. It is a shame that most americans do not get a chance to see those cemeteries. They might have a sence of the sacrifice if they did.

The Viet Nam Memorial wall is traumatic for me, but the 57,000+ names is not as impressive as seeing all of those white crosses, and Star of David grave markers with a name on each one, row, after row, after row, seeming without end .

Isn't there an old adage that those who do not learn history are destined to repeat it?

Yes, my father an American of Irish decent and a WWII Army combat veteran, made sure I understood and remembered the cost of freedom. I, in turn, have made sure that my children understand, and remember.

At least once a week I pray for the safe return of our troops, and for the families of those troops that gave their lives for thier country. I will not forget.

Chopperfan, thanks for bringing it up. rangerj

[ By the way. Why is your son in the AR National Guard?
Why is he not with the 137th FW out of Tulsa? Shame on you for letting a bright youngster go bad!!! LOL

Wroper
[/quote

Hey WROPER!!!

We only live about 9 miles from the AR stateline and Fort Smith, AR.
It was their recruiter that came to the high school, so that is where he ended up. But, we are still "BOOMER SOONERS" through and through. "Sooner born and Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner dead!!!"
University of Oklahoma - 2003 National Champs!!!!
By the way, I like the shot of the Echo model you have there!! I have an American flag that flew in my sons F-16C on combat patrol over Iraq last year and a certificate signed by the pilot and commander of the unit.

Randie

Thankyou to all the vets. My flag is flying at all times. If we forget maybe it will happen again.

QUOTE: Originally posted by yeehah12001 [br I don't know if he understood, but the impression I got was that they were just doing their jobs and be thankful that they did it better than the enemy!

This is why they are called "The greatest generation" as was the title of Tom Brokaw's book. These men knew their job and did it, there was no complaining that they just joined the military for the college money as some do today. Integrity like that is indeed rare and I salute the men of not only the U.S. but also the men of Great Britain, Russia, and all the other allies we stood shoulder to shoulder with in this terrible war.
My dad was one of them, in the Marines in the South Pacific Islands at the end of the war, and this time of year brings back even more memories because my dad went to be with the Lord the day after Christmas of 2001.

Mike

05-12-03
Being Irish I have to say that to my eternal shame, this country pretended the war didin;t happen as such. We stayed neutral and called it "The Emergency". Anyways, my Grandfather was with the Merchant Navy up and down the Atlantic supply rotes and I had uncles and cousins that joined up in England, recognising that the need was there.
Personally, I got to see my first ever "live " airshow at Duxford, England this September.
While there I met and chatted with eight old vets of the Battle of Britian.
For me, this was an honour beyond words and vey quietly thanked one of the fellas for what he and his did for us here in Europe because without the sacrifice of the Few.......

I don't know if he understood, but the impression I got was that they were just doing their jobs and be thankful that they did it better than the enemy! I twas a fun occasion in that these old fellows were a mix of Spitfire and Hurricane pilots and that old rivalry still existed today! They teased each other all day about who was better and so on, especially when it came to signing prints of aircraft with one saying to the guy beside him, "Oi, that's a Spit! I never thought you'dd sign to one of those seein, as you flew that Hurricane crate"
To which the other guy replied, "You'd want to be quite mate before I sign my fist across you mouth"
They both smiled and laughed. Old maybe, but they can still bite when they want to.
Liam
]

Dec 7th will never be forgotten..!! Words cannot express how I feel, the sacrifices that they had to experience to get us to where we are today.
I tip my hat to all those who have served from in the past and the present.
Thank you for making America what it is today!!!! Ever shake a veterans/soldiers and say thank you?
Flaps up, Mike

Sunday will be a time to reflect on the first day of that catastrophic conflict known as World War Two. It began, for the United States, a war to end a terrible evil that threatened the world. Remember the men and women who fought that conflict here and abroad, especially those that never came home. Find those in your town, your neighborhood, your street, and thank them for their service to this country, for their many sacrifices, and for preserving our way of life. The late Professor Stephen Ambrose got it right when he said that "this is the generation that saved the world." My thanks to those who gave their all.

I was on the Arizona Memorial 4 years ago. Quite a sight to see that rusting hulk just under the surface, and the huge wall with all the names of the dead.

"Let's all remember that 62 years ago Sunday, the U.S. was drawn into a worldwide war..."

(original post- don't know how to quote yet)

Very eloquently put. At the risk of sounding repetitve, it is nonetheless important to remember Pearl Harbor, for all that it represents. Excellent topic!

if you want to see poppies you need to come up here. personally I don't think there are many americans who would forget that date. although the world is changing and lots of kids don't know anything about WWII. It's sad, to them its just history/in the past/who cares. I want to say thank you to all the vets who served in WWII

Hey Chopperfan,
Good post. We as America must not forget. By the way. Why is your son in the AR National Guard?
Why is he not with the 137th FW out of Tulsa? Shame on you for letting a bright youngster go bad!!! LOL

Wroper

I always remember Dec 7th-not just for the national tragedy but it was my Bassett hound's birthday (no offence guys).

Sadly-I saw very few poppies in November.

I was not eligible to serve for health reasons, although I have always and still want to. I always remember all of our vets no matter what day of the year it is. Without them we would all be speaking German or Japanese or God knows what else. Thanks to ALL vets no matter weather they are alive or dead, no matter when or were they served.

God Bless all vets and
GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!!!!



Phantoms Rule the Skies!!!

I have always remembered that day because it is my birthday.
I was born exactly 20 years after this "day that will live in infamy" as Roosevelt is famous for saying. I always remember our soldiers in every war on a fairly regular basis and thank God that we have had such brave men in this country that were so willing to give so that we may leave in freedom.

Mike

I thought I was one of only a few who remembered. It will be Sunday, December 7, just like on the morning of the attack. At church I was going to offer a special prayer for those who lost their lives. I also got a Zero that I am currently working on. I wish that more people would acknowledge Pearl Harbor and remember.

Randie,

Thanks for the reminder. I had the pleasure of meeting and helping out a Pearl Harbor survivor whose truck broke down outside of Dallas one cold December night back in 1972 on my way home from Ft. Riley, Ks. Fine fellow. As a Vietnam Veteram I appreciate your sentiments.