Remembering Our Own

[tsmckenney]

My Irish grandfather (Milwaukee) fought in WWII, was stationed in the Pacific. He had to deal with a lot of skin cancer issues in his late 50's and early 60's. They weren't soaking up the sunblock in the 40's. He had a shoebox full of photos. In one of them, he was standing side-by-side with soldiers in his platoon (10 or 15 guys). In the photo they were holding this snake, biggest thing I've ever seen. Don't think there are any anaconda that side of the world, must have been a python.

My Irish/Polish grandfather (Minneapolis) was a bombadeer in WWII. He flew runs over the Pacific. He had all these file folders full of maps and used to trace out the missions they had flown. He stopped telling his stories 10 years ago or so. Probably got tired of no one ever listening. I wonder if my grandkids will listen to my Peace Corps stories. Probably more so, given there's a lot more sex and drugs to throw in (and you know the kids love that sh.t).

My godfather and uncle served two tours in Vietnam. His second tour was intentionally to keep my father out of Nam. My father was in the process of signing up. Who knows, I could owe him my life. There are a lot of stories about when he came back. He used to take a morning piss on the front lawn facing Wisconsin Avenue (Milwaukee). He lost it, spent some time recovering in a hospital. He never talked/talks about his time in Nam. I should mention that he is now an attorney and is up for a judgeship.

There are many others, but these are clear and present in my mind.


I would interested to hear from the rest of you. Could make for an interesting thread.

Mick

 

[CigarStone]

Nice thread Mick!

 

[Putz Mulligan]

My Great Grandfather served as a Marine during WWI. Never knew him personally but there is a photo of him in dress uniform, standing “ramrod” strait with his jaw out defiantly and my Grandfather standing next to him in his little sailor outfit.

My Grandfather served during WWII in the Marines. He used to share a number of stories but I was too young to get the message. He is still living though not by what is considered his standard of "living".

My Uncle served in the US Army and was stationed in Berlin watching “them” watching us. He came home on leave and his life was cut short from a biking accident. I was 2 years old. He is missed. All the female cousins still speak of him and have elevated him to mythical levels.

My Dad served during Vietnam in the Air Force but in Turkey working on communications equipment. His stories are for different than my Grandfathers but he still served in some capacity.

My brother, now my brother, man among men served in Iraq (101st), Rwanda, Afghanistan, Thailand and many other tours (Special Forces) in the fight against terrorism. He is a Green Beret and has my undying respect and support for all that he has done. He just retired after doing 20 as a Master Sergeant, E8 and was on the verge of doing more, wifey said "no mas". When he was serving his first tour for Desert Shield I thought nothing of what they were experiencing. They were just a bunch of our soldiers killing time. For Desert Storm, as a member of the 101st he saw action, lost friends, and sent photos. One photo in particular hit home. A photo of my brother after a fire fight with tears streaming down his blackened face while on one knee praying over a lost friend. This was a turning moment for me as now those who serve had manifested through this photo and gained my respect, admiration and support.

God Bless America and those who have, and are so nobly defending democracy and fighting against tyranny.

You will be remembered.