Memorial Day and Those Who Served

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

DH is named after his father's older brother, whose plane went down in the Pacific at the end of WWII. They never found him.

We have talked to a professor who is part of a group that searches for missing planes and the personal effects of those in them. They have located the area the plane is in, but they cannot get to it. He said the ocean floor is constantly shifting, so they hope to try again. They locate both American and Japanese planes and treat them with the same reverence. The work this group does is fascinating. They found two pilots who were shot down, captured, and kept on an island until they were executed. Believe it or not, one of the islanders who was a young boy at the time was able to give them details. The group started excavations and found personal effects.

Their story and others were filmed for the Discovery Channel's "Expedition Unknown," Season 8, Episodes 13 and 14.

My father and my uncles, and DH's father all served in WWII. They all survived.

I had college friends who did not. A good friend returned from Iraq, but later died from the beatings he suffered while in captivity. Someone else I knew was killed when his helicopter was shot down while on a rescue mission in Bosnia.

These men and many other men and women willingly served so we could be free and strong.

And we honor them tomorrow and always.

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

beauty maven · ‎01-12-2013

My uncle (May God bless his soul) served with the 82nd Airborne in Italy, France, Holland and in Bastogne, Belgium where the ordeal he went through he was barely able to talk about - he only spoke about it with 1 cousin. I had 9 cousins. His brother, (May God bless his soul), was a pilot over Europe and flew many missions and survived. They saw some horrors but were able to come home. I thank God for the sacrifices that they, many other Americans (especially those who never made it home), and their families made for us to live with the freedoms we now enjoy.

May God bless all the US Armed Forces and always remember those who never made it home.

TerryNJ · ‎09-23-2020

May we never take our freedom for granted and remember all who died for our freedom!

Kachina624 · ‎03-10-2010

@beauty maven. My uncle also served with the 82nd Airborne as a paratrooper. He was injured in the landing at Normandy. Up until hi death about 15 years ago, he a a group of his military buddies met every year (with wives) at a retreat in Idaho for a big pig roast. It was the only place where they discussed their military experiences.

New Mexico☀️Land Of Enchantment

beauty maven · ‎01-12-2013

@Kachina624 ... much respect, love and thanks to you, your uncle and family.

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

It's amazing how many of us grew up with relatives who would not talk about their experiences. My dad fought at the end of WWII. He was also one of the liberators of a smaller concentration camp.

He fought in Korea. My mom said his best friend he had served with since they both were sent to Europe near the end of WWII was killed beside him. And she said he was never the same after that. His personality changed. I wasn't born yet so I didn't know him any other way.

As a teenager I was more aware of these two wars and I had questions. He wouldn't answer them and somehow would change the subject. I never heard him talk about anything related to either war.

candys mine · ‎08-20-2012

@beach-mom Same here. Never talked about it. Except when a couple of his buddies from the war came over to visit with their wives and kids. Then, with their common memories, there were a couple of "Gloss over stories", incidents that were humorouss and INCONSEQUENTIALL.

As I grew up I came to a conclusion

They would not Inflict the horrors of War upon the ones they fought to PROTECT FROM IT.

I am infinitelyy grateful to those who gave all.

Those who served and returned.

And for The people who understand How to Listen to, support, and lighten the burden of those who fought for our freedoms at home.

Roscoe the Rascal · ‎04-19-2016

My father was a prisoner of war in WWII and his brother died when his plane went done also serving in WWII. My husband served in Vietnam Nam and now passed. My husband was also 82nd airborne.

To all those who served and for their sacrifices and greater than most will ever know. May you never take your freedom for granted.