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I met a man today...

michael siena
michael siena Member Posts: 53
> I met a man today!<BR>
> <BR>
> I hate standing in line – <BR>
> any line. And let’s face it; you get to plant <BR>
> tomatoes but once a year. But today, it was <BR>
> different. I found myself wishing that the line <BR>
> was longer – much longer. <BR>
> <BR>
> It was the shirt <BR>
> that first caught my attention. NAVY. Fair <BR>
> enough, the old guy had been in the navy, which <BR>
> was reason enough for him to be proud. Then I saw <BR>
> the cap. It read – Purple Heart. Now I have <BR>
> tremendous respect for those that serve in our <BR>
> armed forces and believe that each and every one <BR>
> should be automatically enrolled in the same <BR>
> pension plan as our elected representatives – an <BR>
> amount which averages between forty and fifty <BR>
> grand! When it comes to Purple Heart recipients, <BR>
> I stand in awe.<BR>
> <BR>
> The Purple Heart is given to <BR>
> those that have died or are wounded in battle. So <BR>
> when you see that registration plate or the cap <BR>
> with the Purple Heart, then you know that this <BR>
> person was wounded at least once. Many were <BR>
> awarded more than one! <BR>
> <BR>
> It being the weekend <BR>
> that it was I extended my hand and said, “Happy <BR>
> Memorial Day and Thank You!” He shook my hand and <BR>
> said, “Thank you”.<BR>
> <BR>
> This man radiated…warmth! <BR>
> That is the best way that I can describe it. He <BR>
> had an aura that set him apart. His smile was <BR>
> genuine and inclusive. While I may have initially <BR>
> been drawn to the evidence of his bravery, I <BR>
> found myself swept along on a tide of <BR>
> conviviality. We got to talking.<BR>
> <BR>
> He was almost <BR>
> 85 and had signed on at 18. I have had the good <BR>
> fortune to meet many veterans of WW2 and am daily <BR>
> reminded of their diminishing numbers. Frankly, <BR>
> this man looked to be closer to 70 and I told him <BR>
> so. He smiled. The European campaign ended 62 <BR>
> years ago for God’s sake and here is this guy <BR>
> standing in line who as it turns out, had his <BR>
> belly ripped open by German shrapnel! And I <BR>
> complain about standing in line? <BR>
> <BR>
> I grew up in <BR>
> a small country far from here in a time well <BR>
> removed from the war that followed the war to end <BR>
> all wars. Our comic books dealt with real life <BR>
> super-heroes and were commonly referred to as 64 <BR>
> Pagers. One of the subjects of these black and <BR>
> white diminutive tomes was often the Frogmen. <BR>
> These were the guys that would sneak into the <BR>
> German held harbor on a cloudy night and affix <BR>
> explosives to the side of a ship or otherwise <BR>
> sabotage the efforts of those misguided Huns. I <BR>
> remember thinking that these guys were just the <BR>
> bravest and coolest of all heroes. They even had <BR>
> those mini submersibles – just like 007.<BR>
> <BR>
> And <BR>
> here I was standing in line, face to face with a <BR>
> character from the pages of my youth. How cool is <BR>
> that?<BR>
> <BR>
> They were called Navy Combat Demolition <BR>
> Units, later to become better known as Navy <BR>
> SEALS. “I was on Omaha Beach” he told me, “two <BR>
> days before the invasion”. Their job was to clear <BR>
> the way of submerged obstacles and they suffered <BR>
> a 50% casualty rate. He was one of the lucky <BR>
> ones. “My lifejacket saved me. If I had fallen on <BR>
> my stomach I wouldn’t be here!” <BR>
> <BR>
> “My brother <BR>
> had it worse” he added. “He was a marine in the <BR>
> Pacific – Guadalcanal, Tarawa…he got three Purple <BR>
> Hearts! He passed on last year.” <BR>
> <BR>
> He had <BR>
> started out in North Africa – was at Anzio. After <BR>
> recovering from his injury received at Normandy, <BR>
> he returned to action and helped Patton’s forces <BR>
> cross the Rhine. And here he was standing in line <BR>
> talking to me! How cool is that!!<BR>
> <BR>
> Happy <BR>
> Memorial Day to Anthony and all of those who made <BR>
> the effort on our behalf. And Thank You. <BR>
<BR>

Comments

  • Noel Kelly_3
    Noel Kelly_3 Member Posts: 43


    I met a man today!

    I hate standing in line – any line. And let’s face it; you get to plant tomatoes but once a year. But today, it was different. I found myself wishing that the line was longer – much longer.

    It was the shirt that first caught my attention. NAVY. Fair enough, the old guy had been in the navy, which was reason enough for him to be proud. Then I saw the cap. It read – Purple Heart. Now I have tremendous respect for those that serve in our armed forces and believe that each and every one should be automatically enrolled in the same pension plan as our elected representatives – an amount which averages between forty and fifty grand! When it comes to Purple Heart recipients, I stand in awe.

    The Purple Heart is given to those that have died or are wounded in battle. So when you see that registration plate or the cap with the Purple Heart, then you know that this person was wounded at least once. Many were awarded more than one!

    It being the weekend that it was I extended my hand and said, “Happy Memorial Day and Thank You!” He shook my hand and said, “Thank you”.

    This man radiated…warmth! That is the best way that I can describe it. He had an aura that set him apart. His smile was genuine and inclusive. While I may have initially been drawn to the evidence of his bravery, I found myself swept along on a tide of conviviality. We got to talking.

    He was almost 85 and had signed on at 18. I have had the good fortune to meet many veterans of WW2 and am daily reminded of their diminishing numbers. Frankly, this man looked to be closer to 70 and I told him so. He smiled. The European campaign ended 62 years ago for God’s sake and here is this guy standing in line who as it turns out, had his belly ripped open by German shrapnel! And I complain about standing in line?

    I grew up in a small country far from here in a time well removed from the war that followed the war to end all wars. Our comic books dealt with real life super-heroes and were commonly referred to as 64 Pagers. One of the subjects of these black and white diminutive tomes was often the Frogmen. These were the guys that would sneak into the German held harbor on a cloudy night and affix explosives to the side of a ship or otherwise sabotage the efforts of those misguided Huns. I remember thinking that these guys were just the bravest and coolest of all heroes. They even had those mini submersibles – just like 007.

    And here I was standing in line, face to face with a character from the pages of my youth. How cool is that?

    They were called Navy Combat Demolition Units, later to become better known as Navy SEALS. “I was on Omaha Beach” he told me, “two days before the invasion”. Their job was to clear the way of submerged obstacles and they suffered a 50% casualty rate. He was one of the lucky ones. “My lifejacket saved me. If I had fallen on my stomach I wouldn’t be here!”

    “My brother had it worse” he added. “He was a marine in the Pacific – Guadalcanal, Tarawa…he got three Purple Hearts! He passed on last year.”

    He had started out in North Africa – was at Anzio. After recovering from his injury received at Normandy, he returned to action and helped Patton’s forces cross the Rhine. And here he was standing in line talking to me! How cool is that!!

    Happy Memorial Day to Anthony and all of those who made the effort on our behalf. And Thank You.
  • J.C.A._3
    J.C.A._3 Member Posts: 2,981
    Thanks for....

    A GREAT story Noel!

    A true HERO...and well worthy of the ensuing HOLIDAY!

    Say thanks...say a prayer and just be greatful for those that gave of themselves...so that WE may enjoy what we have today.

    Don't forget to keep our boys and girls that are serving right now..in your thoughts and prayers.

    Thanks Noel! Chris
  • Weezbo
    Weezbo Member Posts: 6,232
    That is the best thing i have read today *~/:)

    it is inspirational
  • Scott Kneeland
    Scott Kneeland Member Posts: 158


    God Bless them all, All Vets are special to me but the ones from WW II are unbelieveable. I have a 82 yr old uncle who lives next to me, he was in the Navy at 18 and saw action. I know he saw and did things in the Pacific that he doesn't talk about but I think that was the way with most of the men, he doesn't see himself as any kind of hero but because of all of thoes people who gave so much we can live as we do today.

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  • Leo
    Leo Member Posts: 770
    These People

    These people were the adults of my youth and as they leave us I miss them. Most were products of the "depression" then the "war". They were a hard fighting hard working determined group. It saddens me that their desire to get ahead and make the world better for those after them has produced following generations of softies. I have the utmost respect for this group and am a better person to have been exposed to so many of them. They operated on hand shakes not law suits, their word was their bond.

    Leo

    Leo
  • Jim Cogger
    Jim Cogger Member Posts: 6
    I met a man today

    I met a Man and, his Wife today. He is a three time purple heart recipiant,Vietnam,66,67,68, I believe. She is (was) his sole cargiver. He is bed ridden (at 59 years old)She has run her self into the ground, taking care of him, should take four people I figured to take care of him. She's been doing it alone for years now. Today she could not get up from the floor where she was sitting. Exhausted, just plain tired, worn out. Thier daughter called 911, I arrived before the ambulance , after the first responder(I am a vol EMT in my spare time)I will visit her in the hospital tommorrow ,he will be going back to the VA Mon or Tuesday. These folks don't ask anyone for anything, nice house, well kept, she is just exhausted. Is there any help for them? This just strikes me wrong.
  • bob young
    bob young Member Posts: 2,177
    HOW GOES IT ,JIMBO BOB NYC

  • GaryDidier
    GaryDidier Member Posts: 229
    My Dad

    Was in WW2, The battle of the bulge in a tank crew. He was seriously wounded twice by mortar fire. Spent almost a year in a body cast and almost died from bone infections. He was told he would never walk. Through determination he recovered enough to lead a normal life. He is a patient and wonderful Dad and husband and rarely complains.

    He is currently fighting bone cancer in his bad leg and doing OK. I want to say thankyou for being a good dad and helping to protect our country and way of life!

    Gary from Granville
  • GaryDidier
    GaryDidier Member Posts: 229
    My Dad

    Was in WW2, The battle of the bulge in a tank crew. He was seriously wounded twice by mortar fire. Spent almost a year in a body cast and almost died from bone infections. He was told he would never walk. Through determination he recovered enough to lead a normal life. He is a patient and wonderful Dad and husband and rarely complains.

    He is currently fighting bone cancer in his bad leg and doing OK. I want to say thankyou for being a good dad and helping to protect our country and way of life!

    Gary from Granville
  • Mad Dog!!!!!!!!
    Mad Dog!!!!!!!! Member Posts: 157
    THe family spent a few hours with several such men

    this morning - some WWII some Korea, and Green Beret who spent 2 years with The Montagnards. I LOVE ALL these guys...and my kids are being treated to them as well -albeit young. It was a fine day. Mad Dog
  • Christian Egli_2
    Christian Egli_2 Member Posts: 812
    On Memorial Day

    Those men are a real inspiration. I can't imagine the circumstances under which they found the bravery to stand up to evil. I've got the story of a pilot flying raids over Germany, risky business. Got shot down, taken prisoner, and as though that's no big deal, escaped the prison camp to return back to England meet the King and Queen and, why, fly again. He got shot down again and taken prisoner again. This hero made it alive and he understands everything about freedom - the central theme to what motivates our great country.

    What is he fighting now? A new Axis? It seems veterans should get to retire sometime, but here he is fighting obnoxious modern state bureaucratic red tape. And he's fighting it way more courageously than I think I would. The fight for freedom is something he'll inspire in many of us.

    I picked up these words as engraved on the tall column in the picture:

    "Interwoven is the Love of Liberty with every Ligament of the Heart."

    Of course, I have no right to pretend having any kind of understanding of what propelled our heroes to make the ultimate sacrifice, but I know the queasy feeling I get when someone tramples on my liberty. You know it when you feel it, your heart start pounding real hard. The people we honor today felt it and they were doing something sensible about it.

    My grandmother whose occupied home eventually got bombed flat during the war did find that sort of courage, she was hiding two Allied soldiers under her roof, her young son still residing at home was on a round up list of Resistance members and here this widow with a pile of kids stood up to many gunpoint searches of the National Socialist Party Police. None of the kids either spilled the beans... the memories have remained very vivid though.

    This is all dead serious stuff and I am in awe of the tremendous courage and bravery shown by those who do something about insuring we all have cushy lives. We owe them our freedom and our existence. Rolling over is for people who don't care.

    Thanks Noel for getting this thread together.
  • RICK_64
    RICK_64 Member Posts: 20


    As "The Greatest Generation" leaves us for their Eternal
    Reward, I fear for the future of our nation.
    The values and beliefs they held dear are all but gone in
    America today.
    May God bless them and the "Good 'ole U.S.A.
  • Tom Hopkins
    Tom Hopkins Member Posts: 552
    Greatest Generation

    As our nation continues to diversify with immigrants who are more committed to their homeland than their new home, I too worry about the future and our young peoples commitment. I was at a Memorial Day mass this morning in a 30X40 restored 1850's church in the middle of the local parish Catholic cemetary. I have a father and two uncles, WWII vets, buried there. As we sang patriotic songs, rather than religious hymns, I realized that I knew at least the first verse of them all by heart. Why? We sang them at school when I was growing up in the sixties. Do they still sing them at school? I don't know. Do my grown kids know the words by heart? I don't know. What I do know is that each of those songs, on this day, nearly brought me to tears with the kind of national pride that seems to be lacking in the youth of today. That is until I viewed the proud post from Floyd Kolb (Fathers/Memorial Day). It's kids like him, and many others that give us hope to the future of our country. We can ramble all we want about an "oil war" or whatever, but we elected the SOB and it is what it is. There are plenty of warriors around the globe who are willing to pay the ultimate sacrifice with the expressed intent of knocking The United States of America off it's pedestal, and ultimately destroy it. We DO need to recognize that and do what's necessary to keep it from happening. I realize this is a minimalized, relatively uneducated view but it's how I feel.

    Patriotism is alive and well in America. Maybe we just need to get off our **** and display it a little better. Immigrant marches get a lot more media coverage than Memorial Day parades. My Mom reminded me today that Memorial Day started out as Decoration Day, a day to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers to remind everyone of the ultimate sacrifice they gave for OUR country. Memorial day meant a lot more when I was a kid, but that was before Vietnam. Does anyone realize that if we hadn't fought there, the Berlin wall might still be standing? China might have stolen our steel production (let 'em have it, in my opinion) 30 yrs ago?

    My parents' generation WAS and IS the greatest generation. Of that there is no doubt in my mind. Not only for what they did during the war, but what they did after...turn this into the greatest nation on the planet. We are still the greatest nation, whether or not it stays that way is up to us.

    Off my soapbox, thanks, TG
  • Noel Kelly_3
    Noel Kelly_3 Member Posts: 43


    Thanks Joel. They were indeed representative of their generation.
  • mikea23
    mikea23 Member Posts: 224
    FROM ANOTHER SITE

    PLEASE DONT MAKE THIS POLITICAL I JUST DID THIS TO SAY THANK YOU

    few days ago I stopped for lunch at an over priced deli I frequent in the Hampton's NY. There was a military truck in the parking lot with three men standing beside it. I walked passed and said hello as I went into the deli.

    I was on line waiting for my order and the women behind me started in on this rant with her friend about the war and talking about the three guys out side in uniform. When the three military men walked in she continued on this tyrant about the war and all the civilians being MURDERED. They just spoke as if the military personnel where not even there. I was so mad how can you disrespect them like that.

    Another deli clerk comes from the back and says "guys can I help you" The first Army guy says "I think those nice ladies are next". (he called them nice)

    The deli clerk finishes my order and asks me is there anything more I can get you. I reply no and pay for my order. Then I pull the clerk to the side, hand her one hundred dollars and tell her to make sure it covers lunch for my friends in uniform and tell them to have a few beers on me later with the change.
  • Tim Doran_4
    Tim Doran_4 Member Posts: 138
    VFW

    I like to go down and march in the Memorial Day parade with a combined group from the local VFW and American Legion. It's hard not to notice that the WWII group gets smaller and smaller each year. It's always been a true honor to march down main street with such great men and it's always been a lot of fun tipping a few cold beers with them and listening to thier stories. I doubt that there will ever be another generation like them.

    Tim D.
This discussion has been closed.