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Joined: Feb 2006
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 18,033 |
My wife's great uncle, Harry Gerrish passed away today. Harry was a fascinating man. He was a flight engineer on B-24's during WWII. An award winning archetect and accomplished artist, Harry did nose art on many of the planes in his unit, or at bases he was stationed at. Some of Harry's nose are is depiicted in the Smithsonian. Whenever we had a family gathering, I'd get Harry off to the side and get him talking about his wartime experiences.. He had several 3 ring binders full of photos of planes he crewed on, battle damaged Liberators, shot down Axis planes, and a huge variety of other wartime photos. Harry had a big black and white photo of a B-24 in flight hanging behind his drafting table. To me it just looked like on of the iconic bombers in flight. To Harry, every aspect of that photo told a story. He must have been a marvelous keeper of these birds. I know he was envolved in many groups that restored WWII warbirds. A very quiet unassuming man, Harry was about as nice a member of The Greatest Generation that you'd ever want to meet. He leaves behind his wife, two sons, several grandkids, and much extended family and friends. Sadly, he fell victim to the Covid virus.
If you'd care to, tip a glass for another old warrior gone on to serve the Lord in a far better place.
Rest in peace Harry. You will be missed.
molɔ̀ːn labé skýla
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Joined: Sep 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 60,640 |
Of course Jeff, I thank the warrior for his service.
These premises insured by a Sheltie in Training ,--- and Cooey.o
"May the Good Lord take a likin' to you"
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Joined: May 2004
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,025 |
Glass is tipped, he was a good man. One of my uncles was a waist gunner on 24's, wonder if they crossed paths? Had to bail once over France, got home in one piece anyway.
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 44,910
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 44,910 |
I no longer "tip a glass",
but I can say condolences to the family and Thank You to Harry.
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men.
In it is contentment
In it is death and all you seek
(Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,689
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 21,689 |
"The number one problem with America is, a whole lot of people need shot, and nobody is shooting them."
-Master Chief Hershel Davis
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,960
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 9,960 |
May he rest in Valhalla.....
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 724
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 724 |
As per General Patton. . . . " We should not sorrow that such men have died. Rather, we should rejoice that they lived"
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 12,664
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2003
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RIP. Thank you for your service doing a job most can't fathom.
The Karma bus always has an empty seat when it comes around.- High Brass
There's battle lines being drawn
Nobody's right if everybody's wrong
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Joined: Oct 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 58,943 |
My condolences to you and your family.
God Bless the Great Warrior.
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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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,467
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 12,467 |
A humble man indeed of the greatest generation. Cheers warrior!
Faith and love of others knows no mileage nor bounds. That's simply the way it is.
dogzapper
After the game is over, the king and the pawn go into the same box.
Italian Proverb
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Sorry for your loss. He sounds like good man, May he Rest In Peace.
A gun in the hand is worth more than the entire police force on the phone.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Regular
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May he rest in peace. I have a huge book that is about Nose Art, mostly Second World War. I wonder if any of his work is in it? I’ll have to look.
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Joined: Apr 2017
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2017
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As per General Patton. . . . " We should not sorrow that such men have died. Rather, we should rejoice that they lived" DITTO !!!!
"If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went"
Will Rogers
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Joined: Mar 2010
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2010
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This world will not again see a generation of men of his caliber. Thank God they were there to answer the call.
May he find the peace he so bravely earned.
"No good deed shall go unpunished!"
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Joined: Mar 2013
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2013
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,143 |
This world will not again see a generation of men of his caliber. Thank God they were there to answer the call.
May he find the peace he so bravely earned. Amen!!!
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston
Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,203
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jul 2006
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Sorry for your loss. My Uncle Jack was flight engineer in a C-47 flying the "hump" from India into Nepal and back. In the Korean War, he was flight engineer on a B-29 flying missions over North Korea...I think he flew over 60 missions. He wrote a book about his experiences and I had a copy until I "loaned" it to some relative at a family reunion. His stories about hiding from Zeroes in WWII and being attacked by Migs during Korea. He was never in a plane that was shot down, but he ran one out of gas flying back to Japan after bombing the Norks. They made it back over the sea but had to land on a small strip from which they couldn't take off. Said he caught tons of crap over that.
They were indeed the Greatest Generation and we are diminished by the loss of everyone of them.
“My horn is full and my pouch is stocked with ball and patch. There is a new, sharp flint in my lock and my rifle and I are ready. It is sighted true and my eyes can still aim.”
Kaywoodie
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Joined: Oct 2007
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 14,207 |
Sorry about your loss.Indeed he was one of the Great Generation.RIP Aviator.
Its all right to be white!!
Stupidity left unattended will run rampant
Don't argue with stupid people, They will drag you down to their level and then win by experience
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