Who are you remembering this Memorial Day?

[mogunner]

My father is still alive, and while he never charged the beaches or stormed a hill, he still served. His National Guard unit was activated and he spent the war stationed at Adak, Alaska, monitoring radio traffic from the Japanese as a low-speed radio operator.

My friend and fellow NCO SSG. Clinton Wisdom. I had transferred out of my old unit the 2nd/ 130th FA into a unit closer to my Federal job at Fort Riley. It wasn't but a month later that I heard they were activated, early on in the Iraq initial push. They were sent in as general security forces, usually security escorts in the city.

November 8th, 2004

The first Kansas Army National Guard soldiers to die in combat since the Vietnam War were killed by a car bomb on Monday in Baghdad, the Army said Tuesday.

Killed were Staff Sgt. Clinton Lee Wisdom, 39, of Atchison, and Spc. Don Clary, 21, of Troy, the Kansas Army National Guard said. Both soldiers were members of Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery.

The two soldiers died after they positioned their vehicle between a convoy they were assigned to protect and a vehicle driven by insurgents that exploded, Kansas National Guard officials said.

Their field artillery unit has been providing security and support in Iraq since it deployed in February.

[jedwil]

I am thinking about my uncle, SGT Edmund Gable. He was a ball turret gunner on a B17. He died on his 9th mission in 1943. His body, along with a couple of crewmates, was returned to the US in the 1950's. He is buried with them in Zachary Taylor National Cemetery.

I thank all that gave it all for me and this wonderful country.

[beebz]

My dad,aWWII Signal Corps vet.My father in law,WWII US Navy vet.My cousin Arden, KIA in VietNam,the Republic of in 1968.I miss you guys.

[gvw3]

My Dad. China, Burma, India WW2. My Mom England, France WW2. They are both gone but survived the war. My cousin Vietnam KIA. My Dads Cousin Midway KIA.

[Bobitis]

Dad. Served in the Navy, Air Force, and retired National Guard.

His Brother (Uncle Don). Survived the Bataan Death March.

No amount of liquor could get Uncle Don to recount any of his story.
Shortly after I joined TFF, some submariner took it upon himself to dis my Uncle. Seemed his service was greater than my Uncles. I lit him up like the 4th of July and nearly got banned for it. Fortunately, this site is filled with Veterens and I was given an infraction instead.

To those that have moved on, you have my unending gratitude.
To those that are currently serving, you have my utmost respect.

Thank You!

[geds]

My grandfather who served in Europe as a company commander and received the Bronze Star for his role in capturing and eliminating a machine gun next on Tower Hill during the crossing of the Mosel River. It was in his first week of combat.

Also my father-in-law who was in the Navy stationed in North Africa. He was a radio repairman that later worked for NASA and the Apollo missions.

[mjp28]

My dad, joined the NAVY just before WWII, studied electricticy, electronics there was in the Mediterranean during the invasions there. Worked his way up the ladder.

Funny TRUE STORY, while off Italy on the ship while most were on shore leave he heard a roar coming from the west straight out of the sun, a line of ME-109s roaring by, he got down on one of the pom-pom guns and started firing. GOT THE LAST ONE IN LINE! Cut his wings right off.....problem was it was a British Spitfire.

They were not supposed to follow like that over our ships -but- they did fish the guy out OK.

He went to West-Pac, moved up to CPO electrial on BB-62, the New Jersey until after it was over. Finished his 10 years in the reserves and out.

Then Korea came, he was called back up on the BB-62 as a person "necessary to the war effort", that was 1950, the year I was born. The first pictures of me and "daddy" were with his uniform on.

As a kid I wondered what all those slash marks on his sleeve were for, later I really understood.

My dad, a great guy.

[woolleyworm]

My grandfather who served in the Army Air Corps and then Air Force. He never went into much detail on his service, but he talked often of the cultural experiences that he had while there.

[jack404]

Cheers to all who remember those who served , no matter what they did, when they served, or for how long.. as its all part of the team , some from the team pay hugely , some less

all serve

and Cheers to all who have

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

Lest We Forget

[todd51]

I too am thinking of all who served but this evening I am especially thinking of four firefighters I served with and all died too young.

Glenn Hough US Marine/Korea
Robert Taylor US Marine/Korea
Bruce Johnson US Marine/Vietnam
Richard Mauck US Army Ranger/Vietnam

Finer men never lived. After their military service they served as firefighters continuing to protect.

[hogger129]

My grandpa (dad's side) was in the Navy during World War II and Korea. I think he was a radio operator on a battleship. I don't think he saw much action though.

[Rocketman1]

My dad, Richard Riley. Served in Korea from February 1951 to June 1951, 1st Cavalry Division, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Battalion, Company "D" Heavy Weapons (Machinegun squad).

Wounded in action June 5th 1951, near Yongchon, Korea, only to be wounded again on June 10th 1951, Korea, which ended his tour. He then spent nearly three years in the hospital recovering from his wounds.

Rest in peace dad.

Richard Allen Riley
May 16, 1928 – July 30, 1995

[twobit]

I'm remembering my Papa. WW II Navy 19 months at Guam on crew of ABSD-3 (advanced base sectional dock /floating dry dock. Metalsmith E3. Here is a picture taken around 1944 of part of the crew standing on the floor of the drydock with the battleship USS Pennsylvania behind them high and dry, in for battle damage repairs. Papa is back row far left. He survived the war and died in 1986 within a few days of Memorial Day. I was 26. The cemetery still had all the US flags adorning the veteran graves. RIP Papa.

[carver]

My dad, North Africa, 1942, and all those that serve today.

[whymememe]

I'll be thinking about the highway warrior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCyhODxRTWA

[hstout1143]

I'm thinking about all of the guys I served with and all of my friends and relatives that are serving now.

[wv hillbilly]

my dad

[Snakedriver]

Another Memorial Day…………………and again I will take the opportunity to remember those from my Unit, F/79th Aerial Field Artillery that made the ultimate sacrifice in 1972 during the fighting in Vietnam. These were all good, brave men who willingly chose to put duty, honor and Country first.

Rest in peace friends, may your names never be forgotten.

[cpttango30]

Morris D. "Skip" Marriot

He served in the US Army during WWII in a Tank Destroyer Unit. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day. He was in country for aprox 6 months before he was injured and sent to England then home.

He passed just a few weeks ago of natural causes.

[Appliancedude]

Both my Grand Fathers. Both made it home but have sadly passed. One Army, one Air Force. And neither would talk about WW2 days. I miss them both very much

[H-D]

Thomas Walker Sr. PFC U.S. Army WWII
Ray Sykes Sergeant U.S. Army WWII

They both made it home but have since passed

[mjp28]

Originally Posted by Appliancedude

Both my Grand Fathers. Both made it home but have sadly passed. One Army, one Air Force. And neither would talk about WW2 days. I miss them both very much

It is amazing how the WWII generation in particular lived through the Great Depression, got out of high school...or some quit school just to help the family, went to war, got the job done and came home. No whining or crying, no excuses for everything.

They just wanted a normal life, built up the working middle class, raise their families and many just left the war and it's stories behind.

I wish I knew more about it, maybe that's why I'm such a WWII buff.

"The Greatest Generation" we salute you all.

[BlackEagle]

My Uncle Herald; US Army runner during the Battle of the Bulge, with several awards including the Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. He too would never talk about the war, or his medals. Died some years ago.

Dad, still alive; navigator on board CVE80, USS Petroff Bay.

My grand uncle, KIA in the Somme (I believe), WWI, UA Army.

These three, among many others who defended our freedom.

[nstoolman1]

My father. Joined the Navy just as WW II ended. His parents made him wait until he finished high school. Served in the South Pacific on JTF-1. Witnesed the Able-Baker Atomic Test blasts. Lived to be 82 and had 7 children. Died in his sleep. No Atomic illness.

[mjp28]

I for one have enjoyed reading your stories and rememberances of your loved ones in various branches of the services in various wars.

Small pieces of a huge picture of bravery, service and experiences of their lives that are part of our history.