World War 11 Memorial

[Marty]

Saturday May 29 Alice and I along with a 200,000 or so old codgers will be going down to the mall to dedicate the Memorial. Its been in the works now for 17 years.There will be a lot of medics on duty.
The median age for WW11 veterans is 79 (I'm 78). Fewer than 4 million of the original 16 million under arms are still alive. 1100 of us die every day. I am only here because of Ed Lefrak and his surgical team at Inova Fairfax.
After the war , I went to college and med school on the GI Bill. Thats one, but not the only reason I love this country.
I've been down to the Memorial a couple of times already. I like it. Its not as emotional as the Viet Nam or Korean memorials but one gets a feel for the scope of a big and long war of the good guys against the bad guys.We had over 400,000 killed or missing. The monument fits right in and does not detract from the beautiful vista along the reflecting pool from the the Lincoln to Washington monuments. Be sure to visit it on your next trip to Washington.

 

[Tom F.]

Marty - I am a vet like you but my years of service were from the late 1970's until 2000 when I retired from the Navy reserve. When I was a kid growing up it seemed that you WW2 folks were everywhere, because you were our dads and uncles and neighbors. Mostly you did not talk much about it, we learned about that war from TV and movies, but you led by example.

In time some stories came out. In 1990 a navy buddy got married, and he had a full military wedding. I was part of the honor guard. The bride's father was in the south pacific during the war, navy, and he came in dress uniform. And he invited probably 50 of his friends, all WW2 vets, all in uniform. Pilots, ship drivers, everything you could think of. Our wives all felt left out because all of the guys (and a few girls) that were navy reservists totally surrounded these guys, and we spent a very special evening buying them drinks, and hearing their stories. And what stories they had ! How different and more difficult their struggle than my brief participation a while later in Desert Storm.

I belong to the American Legion now, I think every vet should. While we have a wide age range of members, we do still have a lot of WW2 folks still coming around. One guy was infantry in Europe, another on navy destroyers first in the Atlantic, then Pacific where they were hit. I know of one that survived Iwo. I think we have every service branch represented well.

The one thing that I try to tell these guys, and now you too, is that everyone I have ever met in the military looks at you guys as the real heroes. Your example, by every one of you, showed us what it takes to wear the uniform. And most of the people that I knew went into service did so because their dad or uncle or neighbor had served, most likely in WW2.

So just know as you visit your memorial just how much leadership you "codgers" provided to all of us that followed in your path of service. You were all our heroes! And for that this sailor thanks you.

Drop me a line some day at [email protected], would love to hear where you served.

 

[Marty]

Thanks

Thanks

Wow! Thanks for the great post, Tom. My son-in-law who was an infantry company commander in Nam 1969-70 feels the same way you do. His Dad was in Patton's army. I was a sailor on a destroyer first in the Atlantic and later in the Pacific. You are the guys I admire. In my day the country was united and behind us 100%. Not so good for you ;but you kept the faith and fought for our country. Thank you for your service.

 

[Tom F.]

Well you sound like my Legion post commander. The last REGNAV to report abord his destroyer. He did convoy duty in the Atlantic, then gunfire support at both Normany and the invasion of Southern France. They then went west and after a time did anti-air duty at Okinawa, where a suicide plane got them killing 13 or so abord.

My uncle served on destroyers too, USS Kalk (DD-611). What ship were you on ?

And finally if we did it right, its cause you showed us!

 

[hensylee]

I got goosebumps and teary eyes reading these posts. I, too, am of Marty's era - I am 71. During my very young childhood, I was so afraid of the 'Japs'. I just knew they were coming to drag us from our beds and I had nightmares about it. Of course this was from listening to my father talking over the back fence to the neighbor of the next little farm, Then, later, the Germans were gonna get me/us, but I wasn't nearly as afraid of them for some reason. At war's end, I was about 14. We lived in Miami, Fl. Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, went downtown - except me (mother said no, but SHE went). I am so glad that there is finally a WWII memorial in Washington. These brave men and women have waited a very long time for the national tribute they deserve. I have learned recently that our country was not supposed to win that war, but the people joined hands everywhere and now we are benefitting from their sacrifices. My uncle was on the Hornet, a bombadier. I remember my grandmother's gold star flag in the window. Bless 'em all......

I will look for you and Alice on Saturday. You will be that great big crowd because you all are ONE!

 

[Marty]

I got goosebumps and teary eyes reading these posts. I, too, am of Marty's era - I am 71. During my very young childhood, I was so afraid of the 'Japs'. I just knew they were coming to drag us from our beds and I had nightmares about it. Of course this was from listening to my father talking over the back fence to the neighbor of the next little farm, Then, later, the Germans were gonna get me/us, but I wasn't nearly as afraid of them for some reason. At war's end, I was about 14. We lived in Miami, Fl. Everybody, and I mean EVERYBODY, went downtown - except me (mother said no, but SHE went). I am so glad that there is finally a WWII memorial in Washington. These brave men and women have waited a very long time for the national tribute they deserve. I have learned recently that our country was not supposed to win that war, but the people joined hands everywhere and now we are benefitting from their sacrifices. My uncle was on the Hornet, a bombadier. I remember my grandmother's gold star flag in the window. Bless 'em all......

I will look for you and Alice on Saturday. You will be that great big crowd because you all are ONE!

Hennyslee, If a TV camera comes by we will give you a V for Victory sign!

 

[bvdr]

My dad was a WWII veteran. He loved his country and was never ashamed to show it. He always stood with his hand on his heart when the national anthem was played in a public gathering. I was always so proud of his contribution in maintaining our freedom and liberating others. He was a simple, honorable, and quiet man. His one request for his funeral was to have his casket draped with the American flag and to have Taps played. The flag wasn't a problem, and it was folded with ceremony and presented to my mother, but the day of his funeral was the first day of deer hunting season as well as a snow storm. We were informed that morning that no one was available to play Taps. It is something I still feel bad about. He gave so much and asked for so little..............

 

[Granbonny]

Marty

Marty

Be sure and buy a copy of this week's TIME magazine.Anniversary Special D-DAY Why it matters 60 years later...plus An oral history by the men who were there..Middle of magazine..First page. Large map..Invasion...How the most complex attack ever conceived turned the tide of World War II..Pictures of the young person and picture of him Now..Even one from a German Officer..Will finish the article in bed tonight......I was very young..Like 1-6 age years..but remember Mama having to mix something to make butter. Brother and I looking for scrap metal .. Meat was unheard of..so family grew Victory Gardens...but my family who lived outside of town in country..Had plenty to eat.. Mother-in-law worked in California..shipyards..Have her scraptbook. she was a burner of metal. Father-in-law worked on the USS Mercy..hospital ship that got hit by the Japanese..Helped rebuild it.. My age 90 year old father..was excused because he worked for Railroad and had ME At age 6..remember my Uncle coming home..late at night into our home..and my Mama crying.. He had been in the Pacific.. I think age 18...(Uncle)..Sad, he became an alcoholic..and lived off his 9 brothers and sisters until he died at an early age...He was the baby in the family....Hubby served in the Korean War..On an Aircraft Carrier.. USS Lake Champlain... Our american Legion is also doing a Memorial Sat. A.M.. One more thing..When I was growing up..all school children took small flags to cemetery's and placed on all Vet's graves..It was a day-outing and we searched for all graves with Men/Women who had served in a war....Civil War, world War I and World War 2.......Sad, now, Kids don't even know much about Wars.. Bonnie

 

[ShezaGirlie]

Marty, Tom and all the Veterans out there...

Marty, Tom and all the Veterans out there...

We will never forget...and we are forever in your debt.

 

[Mary]

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Does anyone remember when Memorial Day was really May 30? My birthday is the next day, and I always felt so special to come so close to such an important American holiday.
With the change to Monday "holidays" the day seemed to get further and further away from its intended date. Now, lo and behold, for the first time I can remember, I get to have my birthday on Memorial Day!
I am pleased as punch!

On a more serious note. . .my oldest son John, who came out of Marine Recon a sergeant, is driving to North Carolina tonight to say goodbye to one of his platoon buddies who is headed back to Iraq. He's been there once before during the early, early portion of the invasion.
If anyone caught the Rolling Stone article that followed the Marines drive into Iraq during the initial invasion, that was my son's company.

Marty, my dad got called up into the draft in 1942. He was a senior in college (Winona, MN) He said his number was #12, so he basically quit attending classes and spent the rest of the time at the bars before he was called in. He went to Fort Hood, TX I think, for medic training (maybe Fort Sam A. Huston?) and ended up a major in the Air Force. He used the money from the GI bill to go through medical school just like you. He graduated from Marquette Med in 1951. He said he never would have made it without the GI bill.
I greatly admire all military people. Best wishes to everyone as we enter the coming holiday week-end.
Mary

 

[Marty]

Mary, your Dad is one of a unique "band of brothers". I graduated Indiana '52.
Happy Birthday!

Janie, thanks for the beautiful message.( I gotta learn how to do that). My youngest daughter is a Texan born in San Benito 1954 when I was back in the service stationed near Brownsville. It must have affected her some. She is the spunkiest of the kids.

 

[Granbonny]

War plaques

War plaques

The Federal Government will give a free grave marker for ANY veteran ..size..24x12..Bronze or Granite. I have ordered 2..One for the Uncle who served in World War II ..and one for a g-g Grandfather who served in the Civil War.. I had another g-g grandfather that also survived the war but cannot find his grave. We put them on their graves in the last year..Bonnie

 

[Harpoon]

Hmmmm...

I'm 30. Never served though I've thought of it a few times. In high school and for a little while later I would get calls from the local recruiters. We'd talk a little and I'd give a brief synopsis of my heart condition and related physical defects and usually the phonecall would end up with something along the lines of, "Good luck with that." I guess they call it 4-H, medically unfit for duty.


My father enlisted and ended up spending his time in the States doing science research of some kind because of his background in biology.

My grandfathers both served. Maternal grandfather was in the Navy in the Pacific, he saw Pearl Harbor a year after the war started. My paternal grandfather served as well, but I don't know where or when.


Not enough people today give credit where it's deserved, especially in my generation and younger. Even a lot of folks now in the armed forces don't seem to have the same "scope" as older generations who may have seen WWII or Korea or Vietnam.


Thank you.



It can't be said enough.

 

[Jean]

Thanks!

Thanks!

Marty, my Dad served in the Atlantic and then the Pacific also in the Navy. He was on the destroyer Saratoga and the Purdy. I don't know which one where. When his ship sank in the Pacific, he was rescued by the ship with Bull Hulsey(sp?) on board and he personally welcomed all the men with "medicinal" drinks.

He died of cancer two weeks after 9-11. I can't help but think he was crushed by the events and the fear that we wouldn't prevail. I hope we show him our grit in the long battle ahead for us.

My mom went from coast to coast so she could be with him when he was in port...often get asked how I was conceived in '43 if my dad was in WWII. I just tell them the port of call was Boston!

I often think of how the world was then and the fear and uncertainty people lived with and know we can do this today if we want.

God bless.

 

[Nancy]

My dad served in the China-Burma-India Theater during WW II. He was a very patriotic man and joined the service, even though he was older than most men. He just wanted to take an active part in the war. He stayed on in India beyond his tour of duty and the end of the war to finish up the work he had started. For many years he went to the CBI Theater annual meetings. He passed away several years ago. I have a binder full of photos and letters from his time there. He was an attorney and worked in that capacity as well in the Army during the war.

He was a wonderful man who loved his country. I appreciate the sacrifices that he and all others in our armed services have made and are continuing to make to keep this the great country that it is.

 

[Glenda]

My prayers go up everyday for all our servicemen and women. Also, the leaders of our great nation. I was in Washington a couple of years ago and just stood in awe at the memorial wall. So many lives lost! I so apprecaite our retired servicemen and women and what they did for our country.

 

[Johnny Stephens]

I am so glad to see this memorial finally come to fruition. Those who have served & sacrificed for our freedom deserve a special place in all of our hearts & minds. Regardless of the conflict or theatre.

My dad (now 80 years old) was in the Marines in WWII, coming in towards the end. He spent a lot of time hopping between islands in the Pacific and eventually his unit did cleanup & security work in Japan after the war was over.

My visit to the Vietnam Veteran's memorial about 10 years ago was one of them most emotional things I've ever experienced.

 

[tommy]

Marty,Tom,

I will be thinking of you, all veterans, and those that have died for our freedom. It is truly a gift, and I thank you. I will be wearing red white and blue for the marathon tomorrow.

God bless America.​

 

[fyrfytr]

Memorial Day

Memorial Day

Hey Marty,
Wish we could all be there to share the moment.
I hope everyone has a SAFE and FUN Memorial Day Weekend!
Take Care

 

[hensylee]

Gosh. Marty's up there with 99,999 people plus him = 100,000 folks roamin around. Hope he'll be ok. There are doctors, nurses, emergency people all round. Security is unbelievable. I've been lookin for him all day because it's all over CNN. Didn't see him wave yet, as he promised.