A very humbling past few days....

[downtownv]

My 89 yo Dad, who never talked about his WWII experiences, one day last month blurted out after reading story of a 94 yo WWII vet, that he should give his story to the press!
I was shocked and asked if he was serious? He was diagnosed with Parkinson's last year and is in the mild stages ((Furniture Ambulatory) I think as the sands of his hour glass dwindle he wants the world to know what this 18 yo kid did, by enlisting on his 18th B'day. I was plugged into Lt Col. Al Bancroft USMC ret and he made a call to the Philadelphia Enquirer. A reporter called me set up a Phone interview with my dad. He called me and said "WOW" I'm gonna write a featured article on VETERAN's DAY about him!
He and a Photographer came by his house took lot's of pics, so know I'll learn something about my Dad ofter 62 years!
Col Bancrof told me about two Veterans events that he wanted My Dad to be the featured presentation. 11/6 and today 11/9. I asked him if he wanted to go and again shocked! He said yes.
So here he is from Thursdays event. The colonel did his shadow box, of course he told me they were "Presented Properly" because it was done by a Marine!
Today my Dad was not having a "Good Day" as far as the legs were concerned and asked If I could accept his recognition on his behalf..... Well there I was on the stage with Men much better than I and called up to accept 2 additional medals and to talk with a lot of vets about his service.
It was very humbling, indeed....

[Bawanna]

How cool is that?

[muggsy]

I salute your dad for the contribution that he made to the war effort. There aren't many WWII vets left. I still have two Uncles who are still living who served in WWII and four others that have passed. All of them fought in real hell holes and all of them made it through.

[downtownv]

He was a B-17 top turret gunner and piloted several missions- completed 33 over Naziland
He was always my hero, nothing I did compared to what he did...

(My Avatar is the Mighty 8th Army Air Corp, if you never new it)

[DeaconKC]

Tell him thank you, he has humbled us today.

[deadeye]

Fascinating!! Thank you for sharing this with us. And thank your dad for all he did for all of us. My dad was a Combat Engineer in the South Pacific. Iwo Jima and Guadal Canal. He was one of only 3 guys who came home of the 25 that went. He never would speak of it until just before he died of cancer in 1983. Told me the whole story so I can identify a little with how you feel. Once again, thank you and thank him.

[b4uqzme]

Thanks.

[Alfonse]

I'm in awe. Thanks

[downtownv]

Fascinating!! Thank you for sharing this with us. And thank your dad for all he did for all of us. My dad was a Combat Engineer in the South Pacific. Iwo Jima and Guadal Canal. He was one of only 3 guys who came home of the 25 that went. He never would speak of it until just before he died of cancer in 1983. Told me the whole story so I can identify a little with how you feel. Once again, thank you and thank him.
To think... during WWII the daily papers would announce "8000 die in battle of________" crazy numbers in 1 battle!
These guys are America's treasures and they are checking out at a very rapid pace...
They are All of our heroes, sadly too many are gone and we never got the chance to tell them.....

[DavidR]

Great story. My dad served in the Navy in the Pacific towards the end of the war. Enlisted the moment he graduated from high school. He passed away in April at age 87.


Dave

[SlowBurn]

It does change your outlook. Humbling, but a great gift to be able to talk to him still. Our family's WWII vets are gone.

[getsome]

Please thank your Father for what he did for all of us....Every time we lose a WWII vet we lose a little piece of what made this country great...

[knkali]

Please thank your Father for what he did for all of us....Every time we lose a WWII vet we lose a little piece of what made this country great...

I second that but I will say "made the WORLD" great.

[johnh]

It never ceases to amaze me the courage that humble American men and women demonstrate when called to our nation's service. Truly one of America's finest! I hope their sacrifices are always remembered. Many thanks for everything he did for us!

[ripley16]

I'm standing and saluting. Thanks for sharing the story.

[JMag]

Awesome story of one member of the greatest generation. Thanks to him and thanks to you for sharing.

[kwh]

So glad your Dad told the story. Too many heroes kept the WWII experience to themselves without letting family or country know. At the same time, I realize why," shell shock" or "battle fatigue" was not recognized as well then as now.

[wm36]

Has your dad taken one of the Freedom Flights? Or Honor Flight, can't remember exactly what they're called. My dad went on one a couple years ago and it was a very special thing to him. Encourage him to check it out. They make accommodations for those who can't quite get around on their own.

[SGT5711]

Thanks to your dad and thanks for sharing. Please link the article written about your dad when it is published.

[downtownv]

Fact: There are less that 1 million WWII left and we are losing 550 per day......
I tried to post a link for the FRONT Page article but it requires a password....
anyone figure out how to do it, please feel free to post it.
Philadelphia Enquirer.
There are 4 amazing vets discussed including a Navy man captured by the Japs and built tha Bridge over the River Kwai, another b-24 crewman shot down , My Dad and a Nave WAVE.
All Heroes....that never considered themselves to be heroes, speaking on behalf of the millions they served with.........

[downtownv]

If I have my history correct, the Euro B17 air crews had, by far, the largest attrition rate of any group that served in WarII. And like mentioned, the total numbers lost, along with the pain carried quietly by the survivors, makes that war the one that should never be forgotten. However, we now find ourselves in a world exactly like what would have existed if we had lost.
80% attrition early on, but they improved in the later years with escort fighters, the problem was they could make the full round trip, due to fuel capacity. So the rerun trips were sitting ducks for the Messerschmitts.

[downtownv]

Try this link to see if it works.

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20141111_Memories_remain_vivid_as_WWII_vets_dwindl e.html

[CPTKILLER]

Quite a man.

[TheTman]

Awesome!

[drumngun]

wow...tell your father thank you and godbless. please get him to tell his stories and thoughts somehow, someway. hire a sexy maid to record them on a digital recorder if you have to and you can transcribe later. it is more important now more than ever.