topic Re: Louis Zamperini has died in Community Chat

Louis Zamperini has died

Lila Belle — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 14:04:48 GMT

"Louis Zamperini, a member of the 1936 U.S. Olympic track and field team who survived repeated torture for two years as a Japanese prisoner of war during World War II, died Wednesday from pneumonia at the age of 97, his family announced.

"After a 40-day long battle for his life, he peacefully passed away in the presence of his entire family, leaving behind a legacy that has touched so many lives. His indomitable courage and fighting spirit were never more apparent than in these last days," his family said in a statement released by Universal Pictures, which will release a movie on Zamperini's life, "Unbroken." It is scheduled to be released Christmas Day."

From NBC News

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

lulu2 — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 14:58:13 GMT

He had an amazing story. I remember watching an interview with Angelina Jolie and him. You could see and feel the strength of their connection. She released a beautiful statement about this national hero.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

donovan — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:15:54 GMT

I read the book last summer and it was amazing.

I don't even know if I will go see the movie because they tend to change stuff around and not stay true to the book.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

millieshops — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:18:12 GMT

I had never heard of Louis until I read Unbroken a few years back. Amazing man in many ways.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

Puzzle Piece — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:31:41 GMT

Heard of his passing this morning. He was quite a 'looker' in his youth. I look forward to the feature film.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

NoelSeven — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:37:47 GMT

I gave the book to my husband awhile back. He said it was amazing.

What a guy! He had a fantastic life. Rest In Peace, Mr. Zamperini.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

ivanatrump — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:55:34 GMT

Louis Z RIP

He was still a looker.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

qualitygal — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 15:57:26 GMT

Just read his book this year. Talked for awhile with my dad, soon to be 90, and he remembered about this man. I wouldn't have even known about this book, except for the brilliant women who suggested it in "Entertainment" and "books" section. If you haven't visited that area yet, you need to if you enjoy reading.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

reese2 — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 17:23:33 GMT

We're losing our amazing vets everyday. RIP, Mr. Zamperini, and thank you for your service.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

SydneyH — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 18:29:58 GMT

He had an incredible story but strangely the book was not one of my favorites. RIP, Mr. Z.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

Nancy Drew — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 18:38:11 GMT

My Dad had just met him in his Aviation group a couple of months ago. Does anyone know who will replace him as GM in the Rose Parade?

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

MrsSweetieBear — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 20:56:18 GMT

On 7/3/2014 qualitygal said:
Just read his book this year. Talked for awhile with my dad, soon to be 90, and he remembered about this man. I wouldn't have even known about this book, except for the brilliant women who suggested it in "Entertainment" and "books" section. If you haven't visited that area yet, you need to if you enjoy reading.

Why thank you, LOL!

Unbroken was seriously the best book I read that year, and the best non-fiction I've read ever. What a hero. What a man!

I'm sorry he passed away before the movie release.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

Nancy Drew — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 20:57:59 GMT

On 7/3/2014 MrsSweetieBear said:
On 7/3/2014 qualitygal said:
Just read his book this year. Talked for awhile with my dad, soon to be 90, and he remembered about this man. I wouldn't have even known about this book, except for the brilliant women who suggested it in "Entertainment" and "books" section. If you haven't visited that area yet, you need to if you enjoy reading.

Why thank you, LOL!

Unbroken was seriously the best book I read that year, and the best non-fiction I've read ever. What a hero. What a man!

I'm sorry he passed away before the movie release.

I'm sorry he passed away before the Rose Parade in January. He was suppose to be the GM.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

MrsSweetieBear — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 21:03:23 GMT

Nancy Drew, yes, that too. It would have been so fitting. RIP Mr. Zamperini.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

Gooday — Thu, 03 Jul 2014 21:26:10 GMT

On 7/3/2014 MrsSweetieBear said:
On 7/3/2014 qualitygal said:
Just read his book this year. Talked for awhile with my dad, soon to be 90, and he remembered about this man. I wouldn't have even known about this book, except for the brilliant women who suggested it in "Entertainment" and "books" section. If you haven't visited that area yet, you need to if you enjoy reading.

Why thank you, LOL!

Unbroken was seriously the best book I read that year, and the best non-fiction I've read ever. What a hero. What a man!

I'm sorry he passed away before the movie release.

ITA! It was hard at times to read. I will admit that I shed a few tears while reading the book.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

donovan — Fri, 04 Jul 2014 13:18:12 GMT

On 7/3/2014 Nancy Drew said:
My Dad had just met him in his Aviation group a couple of months ago. Does anyone know who will replace him as GM in the Rose Parade?

I read in this morning's paper that they will not be replacing him.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

Feline Fine — Sat, 05 Jul 2014 09:13:17 GMT

Laura Hillenbrand, author of 'Unbroken,' on the passing of Louis Zamperini

It is with tears and the heaviest heart that I share the news of the passing of Louie Zamperini. He died peacefully in his sleep last night, surrounded by his loved ones. He lived ninety-seven beautiful, extraordinary years.

Louie was my beloved friend, my surrogate grandfather, a man who threw laughter and light across my dark days, my hero, my steadying hand. To know him, to be in the presence of his radiant optimism, his sparkling wit, and the love in which he lavished everyone around him, was a privilege and a pleasure and and an indescribable joy. In a life of almost unimaginable drama, he experienced supreme triumphs, but also brutal hardship, incomprehensible suffering, and the cruelty of his fellow man. He was an airman, a plane crash victim, a castaway, he was attacked by sharks and strafed by his enemy, he was a POW and a slave, he struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder. But Louie greeted every challenge of his long journey with singular resilience, determination and ingenuity, with a ferocious will to survive and prevail, and with hope that knew no master. His life would not be a sad story because he would not allow it to be. His story is a lesson in the potential that lies within all of us to summon strength amid suffering, love in the face of cruelty, joy from sorrow. Of the myriad gifts he has left us, the greatest is the lesson of forgiveness.

Farewell to the grandest, most buoyant, most generous soul I ever knew. Thank you, Louie, for all you gave to me, to our country, and to the world. I will never forget our last, laughing talk, your singsong "I love you! I love you!" and the words you whispered to me when you last hugged me goodbye, words that left me in happy tears. I will love you and miss you to the end of my days. Godspeed, sweet Louie.

Thank you!

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

Judaline — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 00:49:27 GMT

On 7/3/2014 donovan said:
I read the book last summer and it was amazing.

I don't even know if I will go see the movie because they tend to change stuff around and not stay true to the book.

You forget-Louis was there to make sure the movie stayed true to the book. Angelina Jolie produced it and wanted it to be totally authentic. Louis even said he'd be in the movie if he could be Angelina's boyfriend.

Re: Louis Zamperini has died

Big Sister — Mon, 07 Jul 2014 08:07:32 GMT

There was a long feature article on this wonderful man in our newspaper yesterday.

I have placed the book ""Unbroken"" on my Kindle list.