12-7-41 Thank a WWII Vet for your freedom

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Just a reminder. If you know any WWII Veterans, thank them for your freedom today. Parents, take a minute and tell your kids about what this day is about, so the sacrifices of our fathers are not forgotten. We are able to enjoy this life because of what they gave, so many years ago. John

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), December 07, 2000

Answers

John, thanks for the reminder! It is an important one. God Bless! Wendy

-- Wendy@GraceAcres (wjl7@hotmail.com), December 07, 2000.

Good thoughts, John. My husband who seldom brings these kind of things up even mentioned "the day".

-- Cindy (atilrthehony_1@yahoo.com), December 07, 2000.

John thanks for the reminder. Its good to know we still have patriotic people out there, that have a respect for the soldiers that gave their life for this country.

-- Judy Livengood (allsmile@ctnet.net), December 07, 2000.

I lost my Dad five years ago, but I am still so proud of him, that he answered the call of his country. He fought in the South Pacific on the PC1230, saw the flag go up on Iwo Jima, saw MacArthur "return" to the Phillipines. He was a humble man who talked very little about his experiences in the war, but he fought everyday that he was asked, and didn't come home until it was over. His name was Leslie Joe Hawkins Jr., and I'm so proud he was my Daddy.

-- melina b. (goatgalmjb1@hotmail.com), December 07, 2000.

Years ago I worked for a guy named T.L. Garrett and he was a fat, jolly guy and never talked about war or anything like that. Then on what was the 25th anniversary of the landing at Iwo Jima he picked up the newspaper and there was a big photograph and story about the landing on the front page. He just burst into tears. It turned out that he was in that landing and it hurt him deeply.

A couple of weeks ago I was driving to town and passed a car that had a sticker on it that simply said "Pearl Harbor Survivor". As I passed the car and saw the old man driving, I wanted to wave or say "hi" or something. I felt something inside as I saw that old guy. I wasn't around then but my dad sure told me about it. He never forgave the Japanese for that.

Then, of course, when I got out of high school there was that "Vietnam thing". When somebody asks where my class went for it's senior trip, I always say "Vitenam".

-- Joe (jcole@apha.com), December 07, 2000.



Alot of our II vets are now gone to a better place,but some of my uncles are still here.3 of them were old enough to go.3 on Nicks side too,including his father.Like was said they never talked about it much.it was too painful.

Ditto, with the vietnam Vets.Nick did his time in southeast asia.So did my oldest brother.Some things are still pretty hard for them to discuss.Brother said he can't go to the memorial yet-too painful.A person I talked to who was a II vet,said his Vietnam Vet sons had stories every bit as bad as his own.

One friend was just a goodhearted country boy when he was sent over.Because he was a good shot,he got to be the sniper.He told me it's something he rarely discusses,only if he has had quite a few drinks in him, and he almost never drinks.I told him we would all do what we had to, to survive, when put in the same situation.

They all deserve our respect and love.

-- sharon wt (wildflower@ekyol.com), December 07, 2000.


My dad and my older brother were both in the Navy. Dad never talked about it to us, but I have lots of pictures from oversees he took, he was a photographer on the side. My brother was a photographer on a helicopter on the USS Ticonderoga, and he didn't talk about it either. I know they both went thru some hard times, and all of those that served did. I do remember going aboard the Ticonderoga at Miramar for an "open house" kinda day on vacation. I remember the escalators. I do have lots of postcards from my dad to my mom, of all the places over there, and his writing on them. For all you veterans, thank you.

-- Cindy in Ky (solidrockranch@msn.com), December 07, 2000.

Great thought John. I thanked Dad this morning while watching "Weapons at War" and "Dolittles Raid" with him. Its amazing how even after his stroke, he still clearly recalls his memories of "The Big War" and his time in the S. Pacific.

-- Jay Blair (jayblair678@yahoo.com), December 07, 2000.

Stopped tonight on the way home from work at the video place and tried to find Tora, Tora, Tora. No such luck. Good Pearl Harbor flick. Ow well. John

-- John in S. IN (jsmengel@hotmail.com), December 07, 2000.

I'm glad that I am able to be here today and not part of someone else's conflict. I'm greatfull to all WWII vets, also WWI, vets,Vietnam Vets, Gulf war vets, and all the other vet's and in particular,to those who gave their lives for something they so much believed in.

-- hillbilly (internethillbilly@hotmail.com), December 08, 2000.


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