Thanks to them i can sit here in freedom and reply to Rifter's message.... 

My Grandfather served in the British Army, and he was there for Dunkirk but was in Africa (I think) for D-Day.

He passed away about 6 years ago.

Like a lot of people who were there... he woul tell the funny stories, and look back with foundness... but he rarly spoke of the times that it was hell.

As far as I can recall, he spoke of Dunkirk only once to me... and even then, he neve really let anyone know the true horror of the sights he saw.

As I say, I think those were for himself to recall, but.. as someone once wrote "War is Hell!"

A light hearted story he was fond of telling.....

One day, he was tasked to take some equipment to a US Army base (He was in the Royal Engineers)

They had only just arrived in the UK, and as he was driving to their camp, he got to a roundabout (circle junction)

He pulled over, got out... looked and then laughed his head off (As you could imagine, the stress relief was welcome)

You see, he was looking at the roundabout.... and saw that the middle of the ciircle, which was usually grassed over, had lots of vehicle tracks running through the middle of it..... and it took hiim a moment to realise that the US troops must of had directions that said "When you get the the roundabout, go straight over" so they did.

Trust me, this isn't meant as anti US... I do know that in the 40's, not many Americans would of seen a roundabout - but since it made him laugh in those times, I want to thank those that made that mistake.

He was proud of what he did, And I am too.

To all those that sacrificed, thank you. And thank you is not enough.

To anyone that serves now, thank you and again thank you is not enough.

My grandfather-in-law didn't talk about the war much.  The only thing I can remember is his story about how he became involved in the war.  He was in the Navy, on a ship docked in Pearl Harbor, on December 7th, 1941.  His ship sank, but he was one of the lucky ones and was pulled from the water alive and well.

I salute all those who have chosen to help defend their countries.  Thanks doesn't even begin to say it.

Thank-you John for remembering this day.

True heroes, from many different nations, we should be humbled by their memories, and never forget the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many.

The best way I know to pay tribute is to show you the face of two of the WWII veterans from our family.


My Uncle, Frederick Worthington Houston WWI & WWII



My father-in-law, Gerald Gideon Haskins WWII - B-17 Navigator Instructor

One of the B-17E bombers he trained other navigators in.

My Father,
W.W.II (RCAF-Lancaster Gunner)
Korea (USAF) F-86 Super Saber Pilot.
Viet Nam (USAF) F-105 nThunder Chief (Thud) Pilot.

Have always admired that British pluck.

Skip

THX Rifter.

Yesterday, last night, I was watching some of the movies from the “World War II Collection, Vol. 2 - Heroes Fight for Freedom (36 Hours / Air Force / Command Decision / Hell to Eternity / The Hill / Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo).”
I thought about Hollywood and sports stars of that generation and greedy and whiney “me” generation of today’s stars. The likes of a Pat Tillman are few and far between.

I was in grade school during WWII. My father, his sister US Army nurse (retired) and my mother’s brother,were all in WWII. In fact almost every kid my age I knew had at least one or more close relative in WWII.

A bunch of my friends were setting around talking about the state of the world and where it’s heading when subject came up about the greatest generation. One of friends said if they were the greatest generation then we are the luckiest generation. The rights and freedom the greatest generation fought is slowly being eroded away and the people of today don’t have a clue, they’re to busy wanting.

We didn’t drive to school unless you on had school work permit. We all had summer jobs. If we want something, we worked for rit. We didn’t have cell phones or ipods. We didn’t have a car unless we bought and paid for it and the insurance. We didn’t have math or English for idiots in college. We didn’t get into college unless you could pass the tests. If things didn’t go right for us, we didn’t drive by shooting at people. Run in gangs or riot. We were expected to be polite and respect other people’s property. In school if you had a problem with somebody you were taken to the gym, you put on the gloves and had it out man to man. You know it didn’t kill us.

The greatest generation not only fought war but went through the depression.
They looked out for others and their children and if you did something wrong they saw to that you didn’t get away with it. I get so tired of people covering for their kids when they commit a crime. I was told if you get into trouble and go to jail, you stay there..

Most of people of the greatest generation never got to take a vacation until they were too old or sick to really enjoy it.

What that generation also did for mine:
We didn’t have war, hell I was in the military four years and never even had a gun. We had good jobs, were able to retire comfortable, own our home, put our children in college, etc. They made it easy for my generation. And each succeeding generation has made it easier and easier. Too easy.

The greatest generation made it pretty easy for me. I don’t think the generations that have followed haven't done a good a job preparing each of the succeeding generations. We’ve made it too easy.

My mother once told me that if you do something for somebody that they should do for themselves (not to be confused with helping some one), they don’t appreciate it they just think you’re s sucker. That, my friends, is the reason socialism doesn’t work. The hole just gets deeper and deeper as more people want more and more with out working for it. It’s like a pyramid scheme. You have to give up more and more of your rights and freedom.
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If you want your rights and freedom, you have to be willing to fight to keep them.