SALUTE on Veteran’s Day 2019

[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

[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.

[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.

[GunnyGene]

A pic of a WWI vet taken by my father in 1939 Los Angeles during a Armistice Day Parade. Apparently watching a flyover.



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.

[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.

[GunnyGene]

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/

[Mags]

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Salute!

[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.

[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.

[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

[RanchRoper]

My grandfather fought in WW1. I have a photo of him at 17 yrs old in France.

Lest We Forget.

[GunnyGene]

And then there's those like the University of VA powers that be:

https://www.thecollegefix.com/citing-gu ... -ceremony/

Citing “gun violence,” the University of Virginia has canceled the 21-gun salute portion of its Veterans Day ceremony, an annual tradition that dates back at least a decade.

In a statement posted to social media on Saturday, university President James Ryan stated the reason was two-fold: “to minimize disruptions to classes, given that this event is located at the juncture of four primary academic buildings and is held at a time that classes are in session; and second, recognizing concerns related to firing weapons on the Grounds in light of gun violence that has happened across our nation, especially on school and university campuses.”

According to the local ABC news affiliate WHSV, the annual ceremony “marks the conclusion of a 24-hour vigil by ROTC cadets and has included the 21-gun salute for more than a decade,” but the decision to nix the salute was made by the provost’s office in conjunction with the colonel of UVA’s ROTC program.

[RanchRoper]

My grandfather, Leonard Allen. Top right. And these were his as well from WW1.

[RetiredSeabee]

Today I had the honor of shaking the hand of a soldier who went ashore in the second wave of the landing in Normandy. He has seen what hell looks like. His reservation in Heaven is paid in advance.

[bandit1250]

We all should listen to this story and hear what those heroes of our country went through while in a terrible war. These were some very tough guys and we should all honor them and be proud of what they gave up for all of us to be free and live in such a great country.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdzWRdZgan0

[The Wiz]

Today at a restaurant that was giving free meals to vets ( O'Charley's ) a WW 2 vet got up to leave. He was wear some sort of fatigues. He was given an ovation. He waved at everyone in response. He had a tough time getting out because everyone wanted to shake his hand. Pretty darn cool. Tears.

[Mags]

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My step dad was in battle for Market Garden and Battle of the Bulge. He was very reluctant to talk of what he experienced in WWII. Two of the incidents he did speak of. Being ordered to execute a Nazi prisoner ( a kid) and refusing. The 2nd, rushing to evacuate infantry via tank before getting surrounded. Some of the troops mounted the front tanks, assuming the Nazi would be shooting at the rear of the tank column as they made their escape. Others mounted the rear tanks, assuming the front tanks would take fire to get a break out. Only the troops on the tanks in the middle of column survived. Both front and rear got clobbered.

[PT7]

Thanks to all who participated in this year's Salute.
You brought some really great & deserved expressions of appreciation of our Veterans and families.

PT7