Christmas, for some in 1944...

[ironglow]

  So we can celebrate Christmas freely today..

[Ranger99]

Those in this nation who embrace
socialism/communism won't appreciate
the sacrifices made by our ancestors

[Mule 11]

I can hear them now. “ just a bunch of old white men “

They deserve at the minimum a boot up their ass.

[ironglow]

I can hear them now. “ just a bunch of old white men “

They deserve at the minimum a boot up their ass.

   ...At the minimum..

[moamonkey]

An incredible bunch of men. Make no mistake. I for one do, and will always appreciate their sacrifices and their ‘let’s get this done’ attitudes.

[ironglow]

  I had a couple uncles and a brother who served in WW2.  My uncles, Fred and John served most of the war.. I don't know how Uncle Fred was
  invloved during the first couple years..much in training I suspect, and possibly some clandestine work.

  Uncle Fred went in with the Normandy invasion...not on the first day, but a few days later.  He was in MI (military intelligence) and did some work
  behind the enemy lines (spoke German)..but I have no idea what that entailed..except he was looking for information on German weapons.

  Uncle Fred left WW2 behind as a Major..but continued with the Natonal Guard where I believe he made Brigadier General.

   Just before hostilities broke out, Uncle John was shipped to Ireland for training (?).. as he was boarding ship for home..he was pulled back off, as Pearl Harbor had been bombed.  Further training, and he shipped to North Africa, to serve under Gen Patton.

 Uncle John was a munitrions and demolitions expert, at which he attained the grade of Chief Warrant Officer.  He served through th eAfrican campaign, was of course, with Patton through the invasion of Sicily...them crosed the straight of Messina, to make invasion of Italy, participating
  in the landing at Anzio beach.

   At Monte Casino..he conracted malaria and some other ailments, which ended his participation in the war.

   Loved and respected my uncles on bothe Dad & Mom's side...but uncle John was my favorite.. He was what I call a "walking encyclopedia"..plus
     a loving, and concerned uncle.

  My brother served in the Merchant Marines..and had some harrowing adventures with them..

[gypsyman]

 Unfortunately, it wasn't until after my dad passed away, I really became aware of what he had gone thru in WW11. I came across his DD-214 years later. He didn't talk much about it, but a couple times he broke down in tears after he had a few drinks. I knew he joined the Marine's about a month after Pearl. His DD-214, Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Vella LA Valla were listed. His outfit, VMF-222, was the forerunner of Pappy Boyingtons Blacksheep squadron, VMF-214. They were there clearing the islands first. I remember one time he mentioned, you'll never get the smell of burning flesh out of your mind. It wasn't until later, I realized he probably had to operate a flame thrower in some of the caves. I looked it up, survival rate for that job was less than 10%. R.I.P. DAD !!

[ironglow]

Unfortunately, it wasn't until after my dad passed away, I really became aware of what he had gone thru in WW11. I came across his DD-214 years later. He didn't talk much about it, but a couple times he broke down in tears after he had a few drinks. I knew he joined the Marine's about a month after Pearl. His DD-214, Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Vella LA Valla were listed. His outfit, VMF-222, was the forerunner of Pappy Boyingtons Blacksheep squadron, VMF-214. They were there clearing the islands first. I remember one time he mentioned, you'll never get the smell of burning flesh out of your mind. It wasn't until later, I realized he probably had to operate a flame thrower in some of the caves. I looked it up, survival rate for that job was less than 10%. R.I.P. DAD !!

   ..Another "unsung hero"... things that remain locked in the hero's mind..   

   To quote a poet, named Frank Bernared Camp;

      It's then we'll hear St. Peter
tell us loudly with a yell,
"Take a front seat you soldier men,
you've done your hitch in Hell."