To all that served with me, served before me, still serving, and who gave the ultimate sacrifice: Thank you for your courage, talent, and sacrifice for LIBERTY!
I would like to hear from other veterans. What units did you serve in and when? I particularly enjoy completing signings for other service members.
Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/11/11 10:04am Msg #403565
One of the great things about our business - serving those
who have served.
One of the coolest signings was for a WWII Navy Veteran. His large home was a veritable museum of Naval warfare. After the signing he gave me a tour, and I mentioned my Father's service, and how I knew he's be so happy to meet him and chat. Well, that's all he needed to hear, and I was "commanded" to bring Dad over for a meet.
I did, and the two old coots carried on all afternoon, and I took them both to dinner. It was one of the best signings, and the 'boys' keep in touch with emails and info on Destroyer Escorts - their favorite topic.
A grateful nation THANK YOU to all of our Veterans, and here's hoping we don't have to have anymore combat Vets!
Reply by Sylvia_FL on 11/11/11 10:20am Msg #403567
Reply by ed_Okla on 11/11/11 11:38am Msg #403585
Awesome video... Thank you for sharing!!
Reply by Saul Leibowitz on 11/11/11 1:13pm Msg #403609
Many thanks for posting this tribute.
Reply by HisHughness on 11/11/11 10:34am Msg #403568
I have had the pleasure of signing a former P51 Mustang pilot who flew in both WWII and Korea.
The P51 simply has to be the most beautiful plane ever built. It was a long-range fighter escort, developed to accompany our bombers on runs over Germany. Before it came along, we were being blown out of the sky, because none of our fighter aircraft could go such long distances.
I also was priviledged to sign a B17 ball turret gunner. For those who don't know, the ball turret was on the belly of the plane, and rotated. It was a harrowing job. If a plane's landing gear did not work, and it was necessary to make a wheels-up landing, the ball turret gunner was toast. One of the most famous poems to come out of WWII was "The Death of the Ball Turret Gunner":
From my mother's sleep I fell into the State, And I hunched in its belly till my wet fur froze. Six miles from earth, loosed from its dream of life, I woke to black flak and the nightmare fighters. When I died they washed me out of the turret with a hose.
War is not all medals and glory. On a day like today, it behooves us to remember how much is often required of our fighting men and women.
Reply by Philip Johnson on 11/11/11 11:35am Msg #403583
Time of my life, US Army 1979-2004
Various engineer units at Bragg, Campbell, etc., spending a good deal of time and finishing up in the Recruiting command.
Reply by ed_Okla on 11/11/11 11:46am Msg #403586
Re: Time of my life, US Army 1979-2004
I was infantry in the 1st Cav.(93-96). I always enjoyed working with the engineers and all the cool toys they had. After I got out of the Army I flew on a USAF(Oklahoma Air Guard) C-130 crew as a Load Master until 2005. Best of times!! Thanks for your service Philip!
Reply by Karla/OR on 11/11/11 12:52pm Msg #403605
Re: Time of my life, US Army 1979-2004
Thanks Ed for the beautiful tribute to those who have served and those who currently serve.
I saw my dad, brothers, and nephew through the eyes of those in that video. A great country we remain because of the sacrifices that have been made.
Reply by dickb/wi on 11/11/11 4:49pm Msg #403633
2nd amphibious assult bn USNC WWII........ n/m
Reply by ed_Okla on 11/11/11 8:22pm Msg #403647
Re: 2nd amphibious assult bn USNC WWII........
dickb, I salute you. Thank you for paving the way for those of us that served after you!!
Reply by Dorothy_MI on 11/11/11 8:43pm Msg #403652
Glad to see you back on the board! n/m
Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/11/11 11:35am Msg #403584
High Flight:
High Flight
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds -- and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of -- wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there, I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long, delirious burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untresspassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
-- RCAF Flight-Lieutenant John Gillespie Magee Jr. (1922-1941).
Reply by ed_Okla on 11/11/11 8:27pm Msg #403649
Re: High Flight:
Susan, Thank you for this post. This poem has significant meaning to me, it was read during my graduation prior to having my wings pinned on. THANK YOU!!
Reply by HisHughness on 11/11/11 8:47pm Msg #403654
Re: High Flight:
Lt. Magee was actually an American. He joined the RCAF before the U.S. entered the war, flying Spitfires. He was only 19 years old when he died in a mid-air training accident in England.
Even as a teenager, he was already an accomplished poet, as the sonnet "High Flight" attests.
Reply by LKT/CA on 11/11/11 8:35pm Msg #403651
Navy Reservist 1985 - 1992
My unit was called to active duty in 1990 for Dessert Storm
Reply by ed_Okla on 11/11/11 9:21pm Msg #403658
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGCbGqrJ7vE
Reply by ed_Okla on 11/11/11 9:22pm Msg #403659
This is a video of my unit in Iraq.
Reply by Susan Fischer on 11/12/11 12:12am Msg #403677
My God. So many thanks from home to you and yours. n/m
