![]() |
|
|
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Magnolia State
Posts: 7,548
|
Thanks, all for your comments. I didn't post to brag or aggradize my dad. I was in a bit of a pensive mood while watching the History Channel "WWII in HD" and seeing the "ordinary" men placed in extraordinary circumstances. as to preserving an oral history, I don't know. For whatever reason he will not even read about war or watch a war documentary/movie. He always just quietly leaves the room if something along those lines comes on tyhe TV. Of late I have noticed him making contact/being contacted by some of his military buddies. They talk about their families, kids/grandkids, etc...never overheard them talking about things military.
As to those suggesting I thank my father, I don't know that it would be appropos as he wpuld likely be embarassed to know I had posted such private details. While he is proud to have had the opportunity to serve his country for 25 years (retiring at age 41...yup, do the math), he has always been somewhat stoic when attention is called to this fact. But thank you on his behalf for your heartfelt sentiments. If I had to guess, I'd bet my father would consider those who made the real sacrifices were those who were drafted or not career military...he made the choice...whereas their lives were interupted to serve. In the History Channel program I was particularly impressed with one of the featured soldiers who emigrated from Austria and enlisted (Werner was his name IIRC). In his final remarks he dismissed the notion that only the soldiers who saw battle action were heroes... instead observing it was not just the military that made sacrifices and were heroes but a nation that went to war...not just the military combat veterans.
__________________
Jim 1987 Carrera 2002 BMW 525ti 1997 Buell Cyclone cafe project 1998 Buell S1W: "Angriest motorcycle I've ever ridden." Last edited by Dueller; 02-27-2010 at 08:30 PM.. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 14,093
|
Quote:
Just give an extra handshake/hug next time you meet. ![]()
__________________
1981 911SC ROW SOLD - JULY 2015 Pacific Blue Wayne |
||
![]() |
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,954
|
Quote:
Another very good friend who just passed 3 months ago flew FW-190's for the Luftwaffe. He shot down and killed Allied airmen, yet he made several trips to both the UK and America for reunions with former airmen on both sides of the conflict. War is hell, that is not going to ever change. Hope we never have another one but the "Great War" (WW1) sure did not end wars.
__________________
2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
||
![]() |
|
Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
|
Quote:
IMO Folks who didn't have to make those sacrifices should be the most appreciative, but that's too often not the case. Too many people out there do not understand or appreciate how much has been given and sacrificed by so many and how much we have benefited by it. You're not FRENCH-Canadian, are you? ![]() Last edited by sammyg2; 02-28-2010 at 08:18 AM.. |
||
![]() |
|
I see you
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: NJ
Posts: 29,921
|
My father served in France and the PI. Thats all he ever said about it.
__________________
Si non potes inimicum tuum vincere, habeas eum amicum and ride a big blue trike. "'Bipartisan' usually means that a larger-than-usual deception is being carried out." |
||
![]() |
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,954
|
Quote:
There were some Army and Air Force active duty people there but many were covert ops people who had been "sheep dipped" and converted to civie's for legal reasons. Not saying to cut him some slack but if he was in Thailand it was a world of difference from being in the PI or Guam. A lot depended on where he was based and what he really did.
__________________
2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
|
Quote:
|
||
![]() |
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,954
|
The fact that he was "in country" means a lot more than someone sitting in a office on the PI or Guam. Even if he was running a radio station there its a worlds difference.
__________________
2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
||
![]() |
|
1.367m later
|
I took this ride many times as a kid.
Ok one more then I'll give it a rest.
__________________
non velox ad propitiare, verisimile non oblivisci If it's not The Original Automotive Innovations and Restoration, then it's just hot AIR. Last edited by KevinP73; 02-28-2010 at 10:22 AM.. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 6,522
|
My family has been very fortunate. We have been between wars. At least as far back as my grandfather.
A thank you to your father and ALL service men and woman.
__________________
O2 In Sully We Believe |
||
![]() |
|
Unregistered
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: a wretched hive of scum and villainy
Posts: 55,652
|
My father worked at Hercules until I was 13, then he transferred to a division in california where he worked almost exclusively on developing rocket nozzles. At hercules he started on explosives and eventually moved to rockets.
He worked on refining and improving those nike hercules missile engines, as well as the minuteman and he played a big part in the development of the minuteman II and III that delivers the big nukes IIRC. I remember we used to go park way up on the hill and watch the test firings about once a month. Not sure how far away we were but it was a long ways, and it was still so loud you could feel it. EDIT he also worked at white sands before he went to work at hercules but he never told me what he did there. Last edited by sammyg2; 02-28-2010 at 01:03 PM.. |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Charlotte, NC
Posts: 101
|
My grandfather founght in WWII. I never heard him say a word about any of it.
But when he passed away last February my Dad and I were cleaning out his house and came across some pretty gruesome pictures of the war. We also found his colt pistol he neglected to turn in at the end of the war. After seeing those pictures I don't blame him for never talking about it.
__________________
1990 S2 Coupe |
||
![]() |
|
![]() |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,954
|
Phantoms (hope you are an F4 guy!)
That Colt, if its a 1911, is worth a good piece of change. Hope you keep it in honor of your Father. If you let it go, make sure you check on what its worth. I am a 1911 fan and have seen several of them sold for $2-300 by family members who did not know what they had. Joe A
__________________
2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
||
![]() |
|
Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,185
|
I asked my Aunt about my grandfather and this is what she said.
Quote:
__________________
Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa ![]() |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
|
My father died in Vietnam just before I was born. I never got a chance to know him. . . You are lucky you have fathers to ask these questions to.
Michael
__________________
-- '87 Diamond Blue Coupe -- '92 Miata -- '06 Scion XB (the wife's) -- '01 Audi S4 (Sold) -- '17 Tesla Model S60 |
||
![]() |
|
19 years and 17k posts...
|
Quote:
__________________
Art Zasadny 1974 Porsche 911 Targa "Helga" (Sold, back home in Germany) Learning the bass guitar Driving Ford company cars now... www.ford.com |
||
![]() |
|
19 years and 17k posts...
|
Quote:
I'm sorry your father was taken from you, war is truly tragic on so many levels...
__________________
Art Zasadny 1974 Porsche 911 Targa "Helga" (Sold, back home in Germany) Learning the bass guitar Driving Ford company cars now... www.ford.com |
||
![]() |
|
19 years and 17k posts...
|
My experience is that the barstool commandos who talk the most, especially about how easy it is to kill someone have never had the experience. The ones who experienced it talk the least and they know the true horror that killing someone really is.
__________________
Art Zasadny 1974 Porsche 911 Targa "Helga" (Sold, back home in Germany) Learning the bass guitar Driving Ford company cars now... www.ford.com |
||
![]() |
|
Registered
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Higgs Field
Posts: 22,633
|
Bob Keeshan joined the Marines too late to ever see combat. He was not with Lee Marvin - Marvin never said any of that to Johnny Carson. Fred Rogers never served in any branch of the military.
__________________
Jeff '72 911T 3.0 MFI '93 Ducati 900 Super Sport "God invented whiskey so the Irish wouldn't rule the world" |
||
![]() |
|
Certified Pre-Owned
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Nanny State
Posts: 3,132
|
Fred Rogers never served in the miltary; Bob Keeshan did but only in the Marine Corps Reserve after Japan had surrendered to the US. Spreading urban b.s. around is a discredit to those who fought and gave their lives for our country.
__________________
'84 Carrera Coupe |
||
![]() |
|