They're some WW2 buffs-Added something I want to show you.

[hang&rattle]

Thank you HuffieVA. I found some more interesting stuff. Spent hours looking over things in the Pacific theater (studied European mostly), and never encountered these- http://www.wtj.com/articles/peleliu/ http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel...eliu-BR-1.html http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album311?page=1

[hancadam]

Sorry to hear about your loss. We need people like him now badly.

My grandfather was shot storming the beach at Normandy. He had a chance to go home, but went to battle again. He was then sent back and ended up fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He was hit by grenade shrapnel there. He ended up going home then. He had some neat stories. They burnt some SS troops up alive in a barn after they found some of there guys nailed through the head to a tree. He was taken by a stroke about 9 years ago.

[hang&rattle]

Wow hancadam, thanks. On all all the documentaries and in books and film you hear the death rate, sounds like no one survived. Then a gentleman like you reveals you're Grampa, who lived through it. And all need to realize, every soldier was injured at one time badly (not to mention the mental afflictions). I know it's disappointing to see this generation go, but being this is no longer the America they fought for, I'm glad to see them go on to better a place. It is too painful for a Veteran to see the country they watched family and friends (and had to kill for) die, flounder, lose the freedoms they fought for (by it's own gov't), and the morals, ethics, and God swept under the table. I am ashamed. And that is why I hold them in the highest regards. My respects to your Grandpa. But do you know the like-type replying to this thread? All who punched in here have high moral and ethical standards passed down from war heros. Most can't understand my old-school 'FU, I'll stand' attitude. It doesn't even fit into society with no backbone anymore. Thanks gentleman, and I am glad to know ya-

[shortline10]

Both my Grandfathers served in WWll as machinist so I'm very intrigued by anything made during that area of time . I inherited one of my grandfathers personal tool chest with tools from when he served and it means a great deal to me to own it and to be able to pass it to my son one day .
Another one of my addictions besides atc's are collecting WWll military folding pocket knives .

[Eric250R]

Wow hancadam, thanks. On all all the documentaries and in books and film you hear the death rate, sounds like no one survived. Then a gentleman like you reveals you're Grampa, who lived through it. And all need to realize, every soldier was injured at one time badly (not to mention the mental afflictions). I know it's disappointing to see this generation go, but being this is no longer the America they fought for, I'm glad to see them go on to better a place. It is too painful for a Veteran to see the country they watched family and friends (and had to kill for) die, flounder, lose the freedoms they fought for (by it's own gov't), and the morals, ethics, and God swept under the table. I am ashamed. And that is why I hold them in the highest regards. My respects to your Grandpa. But do you know the like-type replying to this thread? All who punched in here have high moral and ethical standards passed down from war heros. Most can't understand my old-school 'FU, I'll stand' attitude. It doesn't even fit into society with no backbone anymore. Thanks gentleman, and I am glad to know ya-

Well said.....

[RDH/86200X]

i dont know much about what my great grandpa did as he didnt talk about it much but what i do know is that he was one of the brave men on normandy beach and he also was a tank bomber he would dig a fox hole and wait in it for a tank to roll over and place a bomb on it he passed away two weeks after 9/11 i have great respect for veterans im currently waiting to take the asvab on tuesday the airforce is my future

[hang&rattle]

Posted in my first post.

[kasey200x]

I myself being a young fellow, gaurentee you i have more respect for WWII Vet's, and Vet's in general than any other person my age. I love that era in time, it is by far my favirote peice of history.
I'm very sorry to hear about your grand father. But I'm happy for you, in the sense you were blessed to know such a cool person, and even more so be related to him
Kasey

[Vealmonkey]

Well, I hope that most people don't forget GIs' only comprised around 12% or the total accounted soldiers in all theaters. The majority of soldiers were support personnel. Mechanics, supply, medical and the like. Even though GIs' accounted for 85% or so of the injuries and fatalities. People still had to keep the planes flying, and the tanks moving and supply and the fuel and food and parts to keep the "machine" grinding along. Some of these people often fought right behind enemy lines, in the case of tank mechanics. Yet some people never left the United States while serving their country. Also please don't forget the sacrifices of those here at home who made the materials for the fighting men. Some made uniforms and some made C-rations and some made the bullets or the guns, but the effort was no less necessary than the people in the fight. Thank you and God Bless to them all and to the families who sacrificed and lost loved ones as well.

[350XJEDI]

man this thread is good ,my grandfathers both served one in the navy ,pacific theather he was hunting subs with depth charghes ,the other was army supply seargent ,,I miss them both and am sorry that our govt has turned its back on the freedoms they fought for, most of the guys in my family have served at some point .I was in the army in the early 80's reagan was the pres. and a good one . I hope that all the vets know the respect the deserve ,the people from that time period did alot ,and faced it headon ,we need to do the same now before we lose all our freedom, . God and country stand tall ,

[350XJEDI]

forgot to say sorry for the loss ,we all lose when they pass, but we can take insperation in their lives

[hang&rattle]

This is my young buddy Cliff. We cowboyed together, rodeo'd, and were really close. He shot himself Saturday out of the blue. He kept going back to Iraq and was tying to go back again & out of the blue the war demons caught up with him, gone. He wasn't the type to do such a thing. War kills you one way or another, miss him though.

[fabiodriven]

This is my young buddy Cliff. We cowboyed together, rodeo'd, and were really close. He shot himself Saturday out of the blue. He kept going back to Iraq and was tying to go back again & out of the blue the war demons caught up with him, gone. He wasn't the type to do such a thing. War kills you one way or another, miss him though.

Us vets do have a very high suicide rate Hang. I have my own demons I battle with on a daily basis. I can see why he did what he did. I am 70% disabled and I do get a good chunk of change from Uncle Sam for that. I also have a really good job, my own house, more toys than five guys need, and more friends than I can shake a stick at. Most people who know me know there is something different going on upstairs, some have no idea. If people only knew what was going on inside my head....

I battle it every day. Some of us win, some do not. It's a war I'll fight for the rest of my life.

I'm very sorry for your loss Hang.

[350XJEDI]

sorry to hear that. we all deal best we can , and you cant always know whats going on with a freand.hang in there , thanks for you service fabio take care of youself and enjoy every day as a gift from god.

[Bretmd94]

My Grandfather was a ww2 vet as well. He died while I was in highschool.

He was an engineer on a bomber plane. He ended up taking photo's that made it into several books on the war. I don't believe he was in any big battles though.

I am sorry for your loss.