The DDay Memorial just outside of Bedford (VA) draws a lot of people...both veterans and those that respect them. Bill
thanks to all our boys, the Brits and the French resistance...and thanks guys - Larry T - for your thoughts.....here's my dad (WWII/Korea and 136th wing-TANG reserves/retired with buddy Roy on flight line in the late 50's...he's on the left with the parachute...
They are truly the greatest generation ever!!!!! Not to take away from the young men that are putting thier lives on the line today and before that generation, they are all the ultimate hero's Thank you all
Remembering my father, SFC Pershing H. Wadsworth, Co. C 41st Infantry, 2nd Armored Division, who went ashore at Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Dad was in the Pacific, and came back to racing and hot rodding. He's were I got the bug for flatheads!
My father-In-law was a medic / ambulance driver on Omaha Beach but he was not sent ashore until June 7th. He said that the bodies were so thick in the water the next morning that he could have walked to the beach from his ship. Even though he was not in the assault wave on the 6th, helping the wounded the next day was very traumatic for him. He said the three plus years he spent in Europe during WWII were both the best times and worse times of his life.
True enough. No doubt those in combat suffered the greatest hardships and made the ultimate sacrifices. But the war affected everyone. Think of the strain and worry of all the family members left at home. My Mom and Dad built airplane engines at Pratt & Whitney in E. Hartford. I could see Dad doing this, but I always joked with Mom that with her mechanical ability it was amazing we won the war.
Thanks to all and as my uncle said, all gave some and some gave all. Thanks uncle John. Cliff Ramsdell
Thanks for posting this. If you've been there, you know it's not a little hill or berm like in the movies. It's a good 1/2 mile hike with maybe 200 foot elevation change which may not sound like much. I only walked it on a nice groomed path and my knees were sore. I can't imagine what those guys went through under fire.
these are some photos that my friend tom bistagen gave me before he passed on. may you rest in peace my dear friend. i have a lot of pictures too!
Today is not only one of the days I remember all those who fought for this country, but I also think about my Grandpa. I put on his dog tags and just think about him. He died when I was 7, so I didn't have a chance to talk to him about his experiences, and only have a few warm memories of him. But my Grandma said that he once talked about being in the D-Day invasion. I wish I really knew though. Based on the condtition of his bible that he carried with him throughout Europe and some of the trinkets he brought back I would say that I would love to find out more about his service. Thank you Grandpa, PFC Andrew Kuzmitsky Company A 272nd Infantry
TO MY DAD...April 6 1921-Feburary 15 1999...U.S. Navy Sea-Bees.. and...4th Marine Division...Sai Pan..Iwo Jima..Nagasaki..I Love you.. and I miss you......d32
The gentleman in the picture is Command Sergeant Major Basil Plumley, United States Army, Retired. I met him for the first time in February 1961. He has been a fixture in my life ever since. He was with the 82nd Airborne Division in WW II. He jumped into Sicily, he jumped into Salerno, he jumped into Normandy, and he jumped into Holland. During the Korean war he made a fifth combat jump with the 187 Regimental Combat Team. He is 90 years old. Amongst the last of a very special breed of soldiers. We owe him and his generation more than we can ever repay. God bless them all.
That generation is a rapidly-disappearing treasure that we appreciate not nearly enough. "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." --W. Churchill He spoke of the RAF, but it probably applies to the whole bunch.
I'm sitting here reading all these wonderful posts and watching a D-Day documentary on the Military Channel. The courage of the men taking part in the invasion was incredible. We must never forget what they went through for us.
Spent part of today with my 96 YO Dad. He was describing to me what it was like that morning 66 years ago....the boats, the planes, being let off in the water, and the many hours he spent in the water getting shot at before he could even get to the beach. He is a very polite, gentle man and still right on the ball, but every time I hear these stories from him I think about what a tough SOB he was.....and still is! I'm lucky to still have him around. God bless you Dad, and all the soldiers.
Thanks Grandpa! and to all the other heroes! We wouldnt be here today if it wasnt for those brave guys back then.
get in on tape for the records, they will keep them for history of his experience in the war. i know someone here knows who does that. let me find out who and ill pm you the information and thank him for me!
and wow 5 combat stars over his jump wings! just amazing! i read the filthy thirteen and wow, what an amazing book! Jake McNiece was the only other airborne that i ever hear of getting 5 stars over their jump wings! im sure there are more but i wouldnt know. please thank him for me as well!
Thanks to all those who served. They may call WWI the Great War, but in many ways WWII was the defining war. Thankfully there has never been another one like it, although all those that came after were decidedly less clear cut. My grandfather was passed over in the draft - he had two brothers that did serve. One in the Pacific, and one in Europe. Two have passed on now, including my Grandfather. They never talked much about their experience in either theater The one in the Pacific was a medic I believe, and I can only imagine what he saw. One of these days I hope to take the family to Normandy. My wife has a family member that was buried in Italy - bomber pilot. My grandmother's brother Pershing also lost his life over Europe.
As I read this theres a heart shaped bottle that was given to me by a freind of my fathers that contains sand from Normandy that I see everyday. I always remember as my parents survived WWII as children in Europe. Thank You to all that gave and served.
Came across this convoy last year on our way to the FSRA Nationals, just outside Caen, they must have been to the memorial aniversary event. It's a big thing on the northern coastline. We followed them for a couple of miles before they turned off. . .
Sorry I'm a couple days late with this...just found this link in an e-mail a friend had sent me. The pictures are very powerful. http://blogs.denverpost.com/capture...anniversary-of-d-day-on-the-normandy-beaches/ I was staring at the photos and trying to imagine what it was like to be in their shoes...most of them were just kids. Imagine the courage it took to step out of one of those planes or boats. Every one of those guys is a hero. .
The Jalopy Journal
