The Men of "The Greatest Generation" (1 Viewer)

[Lo1863]

Every day we are loosing more and more of what many people call "The Greatest Generation" and that's exactly what they are. I had two very close family friends who served during World War II. One served in Europe and the other in the Pacific, they were brothers. Both of these gentleman were my Grandfather's best friends and I was around them constantly because I was basically raised by my Grandfather.

Roy Huie served in the 29th Infantry Division and took part in the Normandy Landings on Omaha Beach. He was severely wounded in Saint Lo, France two months later where he received a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He returned to Great Britain to recover and then stayed in the army in Germany for many years after the war. He later entered the Air Force and made a career out of it. I remember how close he and my grandfather were. My grandfather would always come and sit with him when he suffered from flashbacks. To this day I cannot imagine what this man went through and the things he saw. He passed away in November of 1997. I was only nine years old when I attended his military funeral with my grandfather and I can recall it very vividly. I still visit his grave often in the Salisbury N.C. National Cemetery. I went to visit his wife who is still living about 4 months ago. I had not seen her since the day of Roy's funeral and she remembered me as if it was yesterday and we now keep in close touch. I was able to make several copies of photographs she had of him and his brother in uniform for myself and my family.

Robert Huie served on the USS Tigrone Submarine in the Pacific. This was my grandfather's closest friend and he is still living to this day. This man and his wife are like my grandparents. When my grandfather passed away 10 years ago this past month, Robert was one of the pallbearers. I talk to both of them once a week on the phone and visit them often. I was able to surprise him a few months ago with a large framed photo print of his Sub the USS Tigrone. To see the reaction on his face when he opened it was one of the greatest things ever. He had not seen his submarine since the war ended. He always tells me that "I could have not surprised him with anything better."

I was just over at Robert's house this afternoon for another visit and it really started to hit me that these wonderful Americans are leaving us more and more every day. I pray that the people of this country and my generation today would look back and learn something from these great individuals. We truly cannot forget what they did for us. It's because of "The Greatest Generation" we are able to enjoy our freedom and way of life. God Bless these hero's.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I couldn't agree more. I lost one uncle, Joe, in WWII in a B17, but another Uncle, my Uncle Jack, who was also a bomber crewman, in the 9th Airforce flying missions out of North Africa, Sicily and Italy, passed away at 89 years old 3 years ago, and a third Uncle, my Uncle Leo, was a Navy Petty Officer on a ship which participated in the Normandy invasion, who passed away in his 80's 5 years ago. He brought home a warbride, my Aunt Margaret from Liverpool, England, whom I adored. I have also been blessed to have met, chatted with, and gotten to know, several other members of this greatest generation.

As their numbers dwindle, we lose a link to perhaps the high water mark of our nation, a time when sacrifice for the benefit of humanity was as common as "Carter's Little Liver Pills" - a reference members of that generation would recognize.

 

[TomB]

I couldn't agree more. I lost one uncle, Joe, in WWII in a B17, but another Uncle, my Uncle Jack, who was also a bomber crewman, in the 9th Airforce flying missions out of North Africa, Sicily and Italy, passed away at 89 years old 3 years ago, and a third Uncle, my Uncle Leo, was a Navy Petty Officer on a ship which participated in the Normandy invasion, who passed away in his 80's 5 years ago. He brought home a warbride, my Aunt Margaret from Liverpool, England, whom I adored. I have also been blessed to have met, chatted with, and gotten to know, several other members of this greatest generation.

As their numbers dwindle, we lose a link to perhaps the high water mark of our nation, a time when sacrifice for the benefit of humanity was as common as "Carter's Little Liver Pills" - a reference members of that generation would recognize.

Carters little liver pills,,,and Ford Pills...sorry I cracked up when I read Carters etc... ( Ford Pills...F..O..R...D..fanfare etc)..I remember the adds well from when I was a kid...and,,,YES....we owe the Greatest Generation a lot...and if I may add,,,the 50/60's were properly the best time to be young ....and we can thank the Greatest Generation for our freedom to enjoy those years...( I know Korea and Vietnam are l within that time frame.)...TomB

 

[Scott]

These folks had greatness "thrust upon them." I remind my kids that when old people are talking remember what they said about that time.

I was at my sister-in-law's Sunday and Gramma "Nona" from Sicily told me about getting strafed in the fields, seeing Mussolini, and helping a German who's truck broke down in the retreat from the allies. He was a old sick man.

"Nona" was also a former "Miss Sicily" in the 1940s. Her husband was a GI that passed away a couple of years ago. He was a cool guy and I attendee his funeral as a pall bearer.

I hope my niece and nephew get those stories down about their grandparents.

 

[Currahee Chris]

One of my favorite bands is Hatebreed (not the most cheery name for a band {sm4}). They recently released a new album. One of the new songs is "Honor Never Dies". It was written by Jamey Jasta (the lead singer) after he recently visited a VA hospital his grandfather (a WW2 Vet) was staying at. He claims the visit really moved him and he wrote the opening lines of the song based on what he saw of the gusy there now.

"When the limelight grows dim and our heroes fade away. Some men still fight silent battles until their final days. Some will be forgotten having no one know their names. But I stand here grateful for the courage that they gave.

Those silent battles never go away and wrecked my grandfathers life and led one of my closest friends to commit suicide a few years back (age 47). Words or actions can never thank them enough. I simply try to enjoy each day Im given living as a free man as if they had today to live with their friends and families---grabbing life by the throat and living each minute to it's fullest. That's the only way I can ever think of really honoring any vets sacrifice.