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Be aware....be thankful.

Never thought of my dad, or my father-in-law, as a "hero" in a sense. Only after he passed many years later I found out my dad was involved in the battle of the bulge. My FIL was in a merchant marine convoy where the ships in front, and off the stern, were both sunk during an attack. They both grew up in poverty and quickly were sent to defend our country's freedom. I am now aware. And I am thankful for them, and all the rest. Truly... the Greatest Generation. The likes of which may never be again.
 
The hardships that those men endured are unimaginable, they have my eternal respect and gratitude.
 
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Never thought of my dad, or my father-in-law, as a "hero" in a sense. Only after he passed many years later I found out my dad was involved in the battle of the bulge. My FIL was in a merchant marine convoy where the ships in front, and off the stern, were both sunk during an attack. They both grew up in poverty and quickly were sent to defend our country's freedom. I am now aware. And I am thankful for them, and all the rest. Truly... the Greatest Generation. The likes of which may never be again.
My dad was Army Corps Of Engineers, D-Day Lt . He also was in the battle of the Bulge . He told me how they kept warm in the winter …..
Running From Bomb Crater To Crater! The Nazis Shelled Them All Night To Wear The Allies Down …. Dad Said it helped them survive ! The Germans would also set the fuses on the artillery shells to air burst above ground & if you were standing in the area during shelling in the frozen forest you got your head blown off…..
His Platoon had to rush a Machine Gun nest that was killing his guys , they flanked the nest & tossed grenades into it to kill em !
Dad got shot in the leg right above the ankle.
It’s a miracle he made it through & that I’m here on earth…, Purple Heart ….Was Also a “ designated marksman “……told me once “ he sees their faces”! I responded, it’s a miracle you saw their faces before they saw You ! Or I wouldn’t be here ….think about it …..
I asked him what was his favorite gun ?
He said Thompson! & he really liked the Bazooka ……Continued on “ Berlin “ , Buchenwald Prison Camp ……. Horrific….
Said they didn’t understand at first what was that smell …. Of death from far away . When The Allies got there they were shocked……then
Eisenhower ordered all the town people for Miles around to help with the cleanup , They all knew ! We Just heard rumors of the Holocaust….Went on to serve 29 years In the Army . Retired LtCol. Was a Base Commander at Fort Sheridan/ Chicago. Where Ohare is now !

There’s so much more , how depraved & organized the Nazis We’re , even with kids …
The Hitler youth! The SS had the kids in uniform, armed , hyped up on drugs to kill anyone they deemed a threat ! Dad said it was difficult to fire on a kid , we have morals , but when they wouldn’t listen , the declared war was over ….we still had to fight to survive!

I even met President Kennedy in Oct 63 As a kid & toured Air Force 1 ……

Dads passed into Heaven.

History is a Teacher !
We must learn!
Or suffer the consequences……

John
 
I have a great uncle that served in the Pacific during WWII. I think he was a Marine, but not sure. I do know that he was part of the landing forces hopping islands and saw close action. Some of his stories were chilling.

The family men in my father's generation all served during Korea/Vietnam. I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration for all those that served our country as well as those who are currently serving. Takes, or creates, a different type of character. Something we seem to need more of today.

I saw this somewhere, maybe even this site, and it seems fitting.

Hard times makes good men
Good men make good times
Good times makes weak men
Weak men make hard times
 
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