78 years ago....

[psychodave]

Thanks for sharing these stories. That generation was truly the greatest.

Years back, my son and I saw an elderly man driving a scooter in Walmart. He was wearing a WW2 hat and read 101st on it. I stopped him, thanked him for his service and he told me he jumped into France and another country (I wish I could remember). He was telling me so much that the encounter was a blur. I was in such awe in his presence. My son, who had to have been 4-5 at the time asked him what his favorite gun was. Without hesitation he said “the Thompson.” I remember telling my son that this is what a hero looks like and the elderly man was beaming with pride. I regret not asking him for his contact information so I could talk to him more in depth.

 

[MrDowntown]

Thanks for sharing these stories. That generation was truly the greatest.

Years back, my son and I saw an elderly man driving a scooter in Walmart. He was wearing a WW2 hat and read 101st on it. I stopped him, thanked him for his service and he told me he jumped into France and another country (I wish I could remember). He was telling me so much that the encounter was a blur. I was in such awe in his presence. My son, who had to have been 4-5 at the time asked him what his favorite gun was. Without hesitation he said “the Thompson.” I remember telling my son that this is what a hero looks like and the elderly man was beaming with pride. I regret not asking him for his contact information so I could talk to him more in depth.

That last part dude….the stories these guys have. They’ve died with them for the most part. There’s some great movies and books but hearing a guy tell you His account one on one is irreplaceable for me.

 

[Fret-Shredder]

Bump for a great thread.

 

[BlackRose]

My dad was sent later to the pacific battles. He made it through the "meat grinder" in Iwo Jima.
Absolutely brutal.
All of those guys were real heroes.

 

[tonedover]

Nothing but respect and appreciation for that whole generation.

My Dad (RIP) was born in '28 and though not in the war, had remarkable stories about growing up in that period,

(also, he had me quite late in life when he was 52. really gave me a unique perspective compared to my peers as a kid)