Veterans Day

Whatever else you wanna rant about.
Post Reply
harbo
Hall of Fame
Posts: 2393
Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2003 10:22 pm

Veterans Day

Post by harbo » Wed Nov 11, 2020 3:34 pm

I searched a bit on this board for salutes to our veterans, with little success. So I'll start this thread for anyone who wants to give props to veterans they know.
For me, my dad did four years overseas in the 5th Army during WWII, primarily in North Africa, Italy and France. His primary job was a driving a Jeep and had several stories of driving Generals Patton, Eisenhower and (primarily) Mark Clark. He saw limited fighting but talked of occasionally hearing bullets whizz by overhead.
As a sad aside, several years later, he was being questioned about his dedication to the USA, since his Russian last name indicated that he might not be faithful to the good old USA. Fortunately, his boss laid into the interviewer and used some strong words to get the guy out of there.
Thanks DAD!
Last edited by harbo on Wed Nov 11, 2020 8:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.

69MG
Hall of Fame
Posts: 12096
Joined: Sat Feb 05, 2011 11:07 pm
Location: Western Mass

Re: Veterans Day

Post by 69MG » Wed Nov 11, 2020 3:55 pm

I'll add my dad to the list. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII, mostly in Europe and Africa as an airplane mechanic. Sadly, he passed away when I was 8 so I didn't really have the opportunity to hear about his experiences. However, he loved to take pictures so I have a suitcase full of them as well as a ring he left that is inscribed "Casablanca".

Floyd
Hall of Fame
Posts: 9559
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2003 8:50 am
Location: Not where I should be

Re: Veterans Day

Post by Floyd » Wed Nov 11, 2020 6:28 pm

If I may, I'll add my father to the list as well. Served in the Navy in Korea. Like 69, I lost my father young when I was 13, and coincidentally on Nov 11. I have tons of respect for all those who served for our country and think its very important that we thank and remember all those who have served.
Time to Win

User avatar
Berkman
Hall of Fame
Posts: 6885
Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:38 pm
Location: Mooresville, NC
Contact:

Re: Veterans Day

Post by Berkman » Wed Nov 11, 2020 7:03 pm

Besides myself I have 4 brothers that have served in the military. My oldest brother got captured in the WW 2 battle of the Bulge and was a German POW for 8 months and when we fire bombed Dresden there was so much confusion that he and a lot of the prisoners managed to escape and get away. Two other older brothers were on Destroyer Escorts in the South Pacific and one of the ships got hit by friendly fire. My younger brother was also in the Navy and was stationed in New Jersey with a Blimp outfit. I was with a Navy reconnaissance squadron on Guam and in 1957 when the Israeli and Egyptians were bombing the ships in the Suez canal we had our bags packed and were ready to ship out to somewhere in that area but the war got over in 6-7 days and we did not have to go.

When I got back stateside I was stationed at North Island in San Diego Cal. That was the only Navy Fighter Squadron that was part of the North American Defense Command because the Navy would not let any Air Force planes on the base. We had sidewinder missiles on our planes so our area was fenced in and we had 24 hour guard duty. We had to wear yellow badges on our left pockets and those on guard duty had orders to shoot to kill anyone in the area without a badge on. Never did hear of anyone that got shot.

Just got home from Apple bees restaurant from getting my free meal that they give to veterans on veterans day.

User avatar
econalum
Hall of Fame
Posts: 2561
Joined: Sat Apr 12, 2003 10:31 am
Location: Boxborough, MA

Re: Veterans Day

Post by econalum » Thu Nov 12, 2020 3:43 pm

Thanks to all for your and the family members' service.
Feeling entitled is JUST a feeling...

User avatar
Berkman
Hall of Fame
Posts: 6885
Joined: Sun Dec 18, 2005 2:38 pm
Location: Mooresville, NC
Contact:

Re: Veterans Day

Post by Berkman » Thu Nov 12, 2020 6:37 pm

Your welcome.

User avatar
Quann
Hall of Fame
Posts: 2489
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2003 11:17 pm
Location: Hopkinton, MA

Re: Veterans Day

Post by Quann » Fri Nov 13, 2020 12:47 pm

Berkman wrote: Thu Nov 12, 2020 6:37 pmYour welcome.
Thank you Berkman and all the other UMasshoopsters that have served 🇺🇸

Post Reply