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SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 7:28 am
by PT7
Salute

Early this fall, I came upon this memorial tribute to another member of the disappearing Veterans of WWII. This reporting came within the “Impossible Shots” series produced by Shooting USA.

First, I personally salute all Veterans who are members here on HRF, and and very much appreciate your service to our country. Second, I chose to post this story about Army Veteran Ted Gundy not only because he was a sniper, but because of the military skill he retained even into his elder age. The story about this “Black Hat” recipient is quite amazing as you will see. Finally, I was glad my choice this Veteran’s Day landed on a member of The Greatest Generation. I’m always encouraged by the loyalty, humbleness, especially the patriotism, which was exhibited by many of the military men and women who served at that time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VADFpAfDLY

Please join me in this Salute to all our Veterans, once again as we remember.
PT7

Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 7:47 am
by BrokenolMarine
It's funny PT, I just re-watched that story myself a few days ago. It's an inspiring story. Sadly, we don't have many left. My old patrol partner's father-in-law passed last year, he served with Pappy Boyington, who commanded the Black Sheep Marine Fighter squadron in the pacific. One of our good friend's father will turn 100 on December 1st. He flew bombers during that war. I mentioned him in my cutting boards thread in woodworking.

Tonight, I will have the honor of attending a Birthday Dinner to celebrate the 244th Birthday of the Corps. I'll say a pray for all those who served before me, including my Stepfather, a Marine Sergeant during the Korean Conflict.

Happy Veteran's Day to all. Take just a minute to think of those who have served, those who are serving, and those in harm's way. Most importantly, those who gave all. Let's not forget, that for many, it's not just their sacrifice. The families miss them when they miss that holiday, birthday, anniversary... Or look up in the stands or the seats of the auditorium and Dad isn't there. You don't have to ASK how I know this. The letters from the kids break your heart.

Thank you for your service.

Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 8:00 am
by CT_Shooter
What a wonderful way to remember and honor our veteran members of the military and their families. Happy Veteran's Day to all who served and sacrificed for all the people of the world.

Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 8:19 am
by GunnyGene
A pic of a WWI vet taken by my father in 1939 Los Angeles during a Armistice Day Parade. Apparently watching a flyover.

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A good read of Marines in the Pacific. "Path of Valor: A Marines Story, by George Derryberry. I have an autographed copy.
https://www.amazon.com/Path-Valor-Marin ... 446&sr=8-1

In 1945, United States Marine Sergeant Harris C. Ayres of the Twenty-Third Marines etches an enigmatic message on his canteen as the battle for Iwo Jima rages around him. Decades later, author and former marine George Derryberry finds the same canteen, still bearing Ayres’s undelivered message. The discovery sparks an intense investigation, as an intrigued Derryberry reconstructs the life and service of Harris Ayres and struggles to decipher the meaning behind the canteen’s message. Through interviews with surviving members of the Twenty-Third Marines and painstaking studies of military records and operational reports, Derryberry reveals the story of Ayres and his small unit as they move and fight with the Fleet Marine Force Pacific. Harris Ayres fought in four of the most savage battles in military history. The young machine gunner and squad leader was present as the Fourth Marine Division captured Roi-Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Resistance at each island was fierce, as the marines fought a well-trained enemy willing to die before surrendering an inch of ground. Through Derryberry’s extensive research, Sergeant Ayres’s military service comes to life in vivid detail, even as it raises questions. What was the meaning of Ayres’s message, so important to the Marine he scratched it onto his canteen in the short breaks between combat? Who was Betty, the woman mentioned in the message? And did Marine Sergeant Ayres come home, or did he, as so many of his comrades did, pay the ultimate sacrifice on the sands of Iwo Jima? Path of Valor: A Marine’s Story puts a personal face on one of the greatest challenges ever undertaken by the US Marines. A tale of honor, courage, and sacrifice, Sergeant Ayres’s tale stands as a tribute to the thousands of men who fought and died for us in the dark days of World War II.
I also feel obliged to mention the thousands of sailors who went toe to toe with German and Japanese ships in ferocious sea battles. One that my father in particular was part of in the battle for Guadalcanal, and whose ship (USS Astoria, CA-34) now lies on the bottom of Iron Bottom Sound. He survived that sinking and was reassigned to a Destroyer running convoys in the N. Atlantic.

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Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 9:49 am
by North Star
Thanks GunnyGene for this very important (And most time forgotten) reminder of what was sacrificed for me and my family. I am a Boomer and I will always remember what the Greatest Generation gave me.

Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 10:25 am
by GunnyGene
North Star wrote:
Sat Nov 09, 2019 9:49 am
Thanks GunnyGene for this very important (And most time forgotten) reminder of what was sacrificed for me and my family. I am a Boomer and I will always remember what the Greatest Generation gave me.
The home page of the "Nasty Asty" : http://www.ussastoria.org/

Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 12:38 pm
by Mags
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Salute!

Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 1:45 pm
by BigAl52
Im always thanking a vet I will never forget. When I run into one in everyday life and its mention I always reply with a thanks for your service. It needs to be heard.

Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 3:21 pm
by TMB
We should all remember what was sacrificed by those who serve. My grandfather was in the Navy in WWI and my father was in the Air Corps in WWII. He flew A-26 attack bombers.
Mom and dad went to Germany on a train tour while visiting Europe. She recalls that was the only time she saw my dad cry. They were going past a small town and he just started crying when she asked what was wrong he replied that on all the missions they were given a clear target. Munitions factory, fuel dump or something else. On one mission they bombed that small town. Nothing was left standing, no one survived. They were never given a reason. He didn't want to fly that mission but did because "following orders is what you did."

Thank You for your service.

Re: SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 11:42 am
by mlrifleNY
To all that has served this great country. If it was in a time of war most people will never know what toy went through. We are forever in your debt.

Jim
Vietnam war