Veterans Day, 2005

Thanks for reminding me, Dusty. Early in my career I was lucky enough to meet a WW2 Chief Aviation Pilot while stationed at China Lake, CA. He elected to remain enlisted and was happy as a clam flying R4D's and single engine prop planes as late as 1962. I have all the respect in the world for Mustangs like you and Charlie who advanced well beyond the norm.

This is the time our family also remembers our losses.

Dad, a submariner in WW1, who lived long enough to see me make Chief and ride the boats like he did.

Half brother Ed, Army Air Corps, flew with the "Dam Busters" in WW2, chaired the engineering dept. at NDSU for almost 20 years, and passed away 4 months ago.

Niece Sue, who passed on two years ago, just after she was selected for Captain in the Navy Reserves, Nurse Corps.

I salute those that serve and have served. May we always feel the loss.

Don, ETCM(SS) USN Retired
 
Hey Don,

Come on up to the SBS. Charlie is coming out from "that" coast -- I'm planning to wheel my rocker thataway... lots to BS about.

Told you before, subs ain't my thing. One pulled me out of the water in WWII -- wished they had left me swimming after we got depth bombed a couple of times :lol: :lol:

Dusty
 
Though I personally never served, One of the most important people I have ever known did... While he's been gone a few years now,I have one of his most prized possesions.

On the wall above my desk... In glorious fashion, his certificate tells the story of the day... His initiation...

On the 25th of June, 1944 he crossed the equator aboard the Liberty Ship U.S.S. Sabik, bound for ports unknown. Those unkown ports later came to be most of the south Pacific, and seldom friendly ports.

He almost never spoke of the war itself, other than to say "Boy... you don't want to go there"! Of the memories he did share, most were of friends and comrades, whom he shared life, love, and loss. Some of the memories he loved most were of friendships found aboard ship. Indeed, he and I share alot in common. I have made life long friends either aboard, or longing to be aboard. I hope that never changes!

To my Uncle Calvin, who I owe more than I can ever imagine. I hope someday to get a certificate of my own.
 
My dad flew 50 missions for the 449th bomber wing out of Grottaglie, Italy. He was the chief mechanic and top turret gunner on a B-24. His missions included bombing runs on the Polesti, Romania oil fields. Everytime I asked him about the war he would always change the subject. I never even knew he was awarded a bronze star till his funeral. I regret never being able to tell him how proud I was of him for his service.
For me 6 years in the nuke navy, USS Bainbridge CGN-25 (35 knots and no smoke)
 
Sawdust":1f7tmkcf said:
Hey Don,
Come on up to the SBS. Charlie is coming out from "that" coast -- I'm planning to wheel my rocker thataway... lots to BS about.

Dusty
Click to expand...

It's on the top of my "Do" list, Dusty. An easy trip from here but impossible at this point due to scheduling conflicts and elder care responsibilities. Still workin on it though. The opportunity to watch two World Class BS'ers doing their thing would be a "once in a lifetime" event.

Don
 
Who me??? :wink: Shux, I'm an amateur. Wait till Charlie has a turn. :lol: We had good training in the same ship (USS Independence) back in my childhood.

Sorry you can't come up thisaway. The SBS will be gathering of some great Dory folks.

Dusty, who zigged when he should have zagged and ended up in a stinkin' diesel boat. Oooooooh.
 
My dad served in the Navy and Cynthia's dad served in the Army. We are both very proud of them and all that have served. We cannot thank everyone enough for there service.

My dad is buried at the Riverside National Cemetery. When I visit, I really have an eye opener with the thousands of small gravestones. It's a real humbling and sad experience. Miss him a bunch, I still see him sitting in the bow of our little 12' Sears gamefisher.

Thank you all so very much.
Jon and Cynthia
 
:beer :cigar Cheers and Thanks! I will now take it to the boat to celebrate this event. Good showing of Gen Case on the Today show this moring. Sharp looking Marine and spoke volumnes on the good being done, and the Freedom being won by our folks "up front."

Thanks to all. See Yall at the SBS.

Byrdman
 
Veteran's Day is a day that I find myself filled with deep felt emotions. I am extremely grateful to all that have served our country. I know that everyone who has served has paid a price for that service. At the very least veterans have been away from family and loved ones, and have given up part of their lives to serve. Some have paid the ultimate price, and we will forever be grateful. Members of my family have served at Belleau Wood, shoveled coal into boilers on WW I ships, been POW's in Europe and Asia in two wars, fought and died on Bataan. Most of these family members I never knew, or if I did know them I was too young to begin to understand what they had been through. None of this really hit home until I met Jim. We have been friends for over 25 years. Jim flew with the 174th Assault Helicopter Company in Viet Nam. He was a gun ship pilot in Viet Nam from July 4th 1968 to July 4th 1969. Jim paid a heavy price for his service. I call him every Veteran's day just to talk. I tell him he is my favorite veteran (which is true) and we each end up crying a little. I sometimes take him to his doctors appointments at American Lake, or the University of Washington. It is the least that I can do. He has done so much for me. Thanks again Jim, and heartfelt thanks to all veterans. Robbi
 
I can never sing this song all the way through...give me a huge lump in my throat. Best version I have heard is by Seamus Kennedy...you can probably find a clip of it on the web somewhere.


Christmas in the Trenches
(John McCutcheon)

My name is Francis Tolliver, I come from Liverpool.
Two years ago the war was waiting for me after school.
To Belgium and to Flanders, to Germany to here
I fought for King and country I love dear.
'Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung,
The frozen fields of France were still, no Christmas song was sung
Our families back in England were toasting us that day
Their brave and glorious lads so far away.

I was lying with my messmate on the cold and rocky ground
When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound
Says I, ``Now listen up, me boys!'' each soldier strained to hear
As one young German voice sang out so clear.
``He's singing bloody well, you know!'' my partner says to me
Soon, one by one, each German voice joined in harmony
The cannons rested silent, the gas clouds rolled no more
As Christmas brought us respite from the war
As soon as they were finished and a reverent pause was spent
``God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen'' struck up some lads from Kent
The next they sang was ``Stille Nacht.'' ``Tis `Silent Night','' says I
And in two tongues one song filled up that sky
``There's someone coming toward us!'' the front line sentry cried
All sights were fixed on one long figure trudging from their side
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shown on that plain so bright
As he, bravely, strode unarmed into the night
Soon one by one on either side walked into No Man's Land
With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand
We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well
And in a flare-lit soccer game we gave 'em hell
We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Sanders played his squeezebox and they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men


Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each prepared to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wonderous night
``Whose family have I fixed within my sights?''
'Twas Christmas in the trenches where the frost, so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung
For the walls they'd kept between us to exact the work of war
Had been crumbled and were gone forevermore


My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell
Each Christmas come since World War I, I've learned its lessons well
That the ones who call the shots won't be among the dead and lame
And on each end of the rifle we're the same
 
I've never seen that before! Brings tears.

We are called all kinds of names, but of all of the men I've served with, from the Marines in Iwo to the Rangers in Nam, I've never met a guy who has been shot at, or shot at and hit like many of us, who doesn't hate war. All facets of it!

Dusty
 
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