Lest We Forget

[topclass2017]

I read this article and it got me to thinking in so many directions.

Pearl Harbor Survivor Lou Conter, Last USS Arizona Crew Member, Dead at 102
Lou Contor's family plans to bury him next to his late wife of 45 years, who died in 2016

https://apple.news/AdH-1YsiITTCo0i5ExIWmbg

We owe so much to the men and women of the Greatest Generation who laid down their lives in defense of our country during WWII to preserve the American dream in the face of despotic regimes whose goal was to create a totalitarian state.

A couple years back I had the privilege of meeting and shaking the hand of a WWII Army vet who came into the box store where I worked. I made sure that everyone (other employees) knew he was in the store, and encouraged them to thank him as well. I got a couple "what's the big deal?" responses. Mostly from the entitled generation. All I could think was "those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it". I wondered how many of them would rush to their local recruiting station to sign up like the young men in 1941 if one of the current despots did anything paralleling Pearl Harbor. One can only wonder how quickly things could spiral out of control as the result of one idiot's action.

Thank you for bearing with me while I express myself

 

[Bill Norris]

I read this article and it got me to thinking in so many directions.

Pearl Harbor Survivor Lou Conter, Last USS Arizona Crew Member, Dead at 102
Lou Contor's family plans to bury him next to his late wife of 45 years, who died in 2016

https://apple.news/AdH-1YsiITTCo0i5ExIWmbg

We owe so much to the men and women of the Greatest Generation who laid down their lives in defense of our country during WWII to preserve the American dream in the face of despotic regimes whose goal was to create a totalitarian state.

A couple years back I had the privilege of meeting and shaking the hand of a WWII Army vet who came into the box store where I worked. I made sure that everyone (other employees) knew he was in the store, and encouraged them to thank him as well. I got a couple "what's the big deal?" responses. Mostly from the entitled generation. All I could think was "those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it". I wondered how many of them would rush to their local recruiting station to sign up like the young men in 1941 if one of the current despots did anything paralleling Pearl Harbor. One can only wonder how quickly things could spiral out of control as the result of one idiot's action.

Thank you for bearing with me while I express myself

I'm sure your thoughts are of many. Mr. Conter and countless others deserve recognition and honor for the price they all paid. RIP. God Bless His Family and God Bless the United States of America.

 

[jds holler]

I just finished watching a new series on TV, called "Masters of the Air.
Period is last years of WWII, European theater B17 bombers missions.
I highly recommend it for -- well everyone., We should all at least know that this happened.

I had the blessing of becoming good friends with one of these heroes for the last ten years or so of his life. He was a B17 pilot, with 23 missions before getting shot down. His whole crew bailed and lived out the last 6 months of the war in a German POW camp.

I talked with him a lot about his experiences, but after watching these shows, I'm sorry that I didn't pump him harder. I'm telling ya -- these guys were MEN. Soon they will all be gone, and those of us who knew them in life will also. jd

 

[Squirrelhunter17]

I have had the pleasure of caring for 2 wwii veterans at our local VA and my, my the debt we owe these men and women…. I see the pain and sacrifice on the younger veterans faces and wonder what these guys must have thought/expierenced/seen/heard. I’m thankful for ALL our men and women who so bravely served and who are serving this very second, for without their sacrifice we would not be here today!
God Bless America and Our Veterans

 

[topclass2017]

As an addendum...my father was a US Naval officer training on an LST for the invasion of Japan. While he may not have been the best father, I respect his willingness to fight for his country in what would have been a blood bath of inestimable magnitude.

 

[Krogen]

We owe these people a debt that can never be repaid. What we can do is honor them and remember them.

Never forget.

 

[Fire Dog]

Every evening at 18:00 in every RSL {Returned Services League = VFW} club in Australia this is read out as all in attendance stand at attention...
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Less we forget...

 

[1K6BRA]

I have posted this picture of myself and Norm (Norm passed two years ago this month at 97) a couple of times on World War II veterans threads. Some of you have probably seen it before. What a sincere privilege it has been in my lifetime to know so many of these men and even a few women that served in that time. In fact, Norm‘s next door neighbor is still alive at 103 years old and served in Italy and I believe in France. He (Gerald) is the oldest World War II veteran still alive in Venango county Pennsylvania. These were truly the greatest generation and truly MEN and WOMEN of that greatest generation in the greatest nation ever on earth. I had numerous uncles that served in World War II, and a few of them were shot and wounded. I wish I would’ve learned more from them when I was a young man. They were all gone when I matured enough to realize what they had done and how important they were. I truly regret that. I will never forget. Less we as a nation forget.

 

[Fire Dog]

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I have posted this picture of myself and Norm (Norm passed two years ago this month at 97) a couple of times on World War II veterans threads. Some of you have probably seen it before. What a sincere privilege it has been in my lifetime to know so many of these men and even a few women that served in that time. In fact, Norm‘s next door neighbor is still alive at 103 years old and served in Italy and I believe in France. He (Gerald) is the oldest World War II veteran still alive in Venango county Pennsylvania. These were truly the greatest generation and truly MEN and WOMEN of that greatest generation in the greatest nation ever on earth. I had numerous uncles that served in World War II, and a few of them were shot and wounded. I wish I would’ve learned more from them when I was a young man. They were all gone when I matured enough to realize what they had done and how important they were. I truly regret that. I will never forget. Less we as a nation forget.

My dad would also be 103 years old if still alive... Departed for his next deployment in 1989.
RIP Captain WDR... also founder and late captain of the Arizona governor's Horse Guard.