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My grandpa was my best friend growing up. He was the kindest and most friendly man you could hope to meet. He knew what the garbage men drank, he knew what the postman liked for an afternoon snack and he knew the candy that the neighborhood kids liked and grandpa always made sure that he’d bring a smile to someone’s face with a cold soda a piece of candy and genuine kindness. He was in the Army in WWII and I used to thank God everyday for letting grandpa survive so that a young boy could have a friend like him.

I’ve always been fascinated by history but especially WWII. I think that was because of grandpa, because I wanted to understand what made men like him tick. My grandpa’s life being an example that’s similar to so many from that generation, substituting occupation of course but I just can’t imagine...... How did they endure the depression, the death or abandonment by at least 1 parent, go to war and endure the horrors and privations and then come home, work 50-60+ week at Alcoa Aluminum as an electrician, raise a family, tour the newly formed National Parks by car in the summer, act as their grandson’s Boy Scout Leader and become a hero to at least 1 young boy? I don’t think I’ll ever understand that type of strength.

I apologize for musing out loud and I’m not a big thread starter (thread killer maybe 🤓) but I heard this actual audio of the sounds of the Marines going ashore on Iwo Jima and I got caught daydreaming about grandpa and how much he taught me.

I’ll raise my glass tonight to the Greatest Generation....

https://www.wearethemighty.com/history/sounds-landing-at-iwo-jima


�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.

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~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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One of my Grandfathers was a Marine in Ww2, and my hero as well. He didn't say much about it, other than he was on Guadalcanal.He was born in 1917 and myself in '88, to give some perspective. That's all I can say now, I do miss him a ton.

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Good post starter Aces and I'll join you in raising a glass.

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Fascinating. Thank you sir.


~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~

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We are watching WW II in color now. It was an amazing undertaking.

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I wanna be that kind of grandpa to my 3 year old grandson. The little sheit stayed with me and my wife last night, kicked the hell out of me all night long, barely slept a wink, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

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Those guys were my parent's and uncle's generation, my teachers and coaches in school, the guys I worked with when I entered the workforce. There isn't a day in my life I don't think about all those folks, if even for just a second. We owe them a debt of gratitude for what they did for succeeding generations- and young folks today barely know it ever happened let alone be aware of the magnitude of the sacrifices made on their behalf 75-80 years ago.


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My father in law piloted a Higgins Boat in the South Pacific. He was at Iwo Jima.

He refused to speak about his experiences with anyone, but I heard a bunch of them from his younger brothers after Hank died. They only heard them when Hank was really drunk.


Mark

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Anytime anyone kicks cancers azz is a good day!

~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~

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Worked with an electrician named Bud, that was a WWII Navy vet. His nose was was all messed up because when ship he was on got torpedoed by the Japs, he was hit by a chuck of debris and ended up with his nose on his cheek. The burning oil in the water didn't do his skin any good either. The guy was tough as nails though and worked until he was 80. He had the best stories and he wasn't a bullchitter or seeking some kind of honor when he told them.

He was very matter-of-fact about everything and he would be the first to tell you those guys just did what they had to do before, during, and after the war. Growing up during the depression, he said his parents would send him and his brothers on month-long camping trip every summer. They would get a couple sacks of spuds, some flour, salt, pepper, and camp out near a stream in the mountains. They caught trout to eat with their spuds. Some of the places they camped were several hours from town on rough mountain roads. Can you imagine cutting your 10-14 year-old kids loose for a month in the mountains now? He said that's what they had to do to get by in the depression, but he wasn't complaining in the least. Hell, they enjoyed it.

Last edited by Lonny; 02/27/20.
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My grandfather was a Marine in the Korean war. He was a very interesting man that had done quite a alot after he returned home from the war. Unfortunately I didn't get to see alot of him as he passed away when I was 16 and we lived I different states. He was the main reason I choose to become a marine because I held such respect for him.

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I had a number of uncles scattered around the various theaters. One was navy and piloted a landing craft on Tarawa. He got a purple heart for sure. His buddies told his son that he got a bronze star, too, but we never found out for sure. He wouldn't tell anyone anything about his war. No star every surfaced at home anyway. Another uncle was an army engineer. He helped build the Al-Can highway then got to Europe in time for the Battle of the Bulge. He was with a roving engineer company. They were all over the place but he said they never got in a fire fight. They were mightly close, though. Another uncle was a marine in the Pacific. He saw lots of action on several islands.
My dad was navy. He was stateside the entire war, 1st on sub chasers doing convoy escort duty out of FL and GA, then flying blimps patrolling the coastlines for u-boats.


“In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act.”
― George Orwell

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Dad and an Uncle fought in the Pac theater while two Uncles fought in Europe. Uncle was an island-hopping Marine, in before Pearl Harbor. In fact, he shipped out of Pearl right before the Jap sneak attack.

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I've talked about my Dad and uncles on here before. All three went to war, all three came home and led quiet productive lives after helping to save the world from ruin.

Thanks for the reminder, Aces. I join you in a toast.

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Men of Steel. It's an honor just to stand in their shadow and listen.


Paul

"I'd rather see a sermon than hear a sermon".... D.A.D.

Trump Won!, Sandmann Won!, Rittenhouse Won!, Suck it Liberal Fuuktards.

molɔ̀ːn labé skýla

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That recording is incredible. Thanks for posting it. I also raise my glass in honor.

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,...all these young people with grandfathers in WW2.

My dad was over in the Pacific,.....6th infantry under Walter Kruger.

New Guinea, Luzon, Leyte,..

He never had much to say about it. But I've learned a bit by reading up on the internet.

,...sounds rough.

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Thanks for your contributions to this thread guys!

God bless the Greatest Generation.


�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.

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~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~

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