We don't want to forget all the good people in the world. Are you a Vet? A 9/11 hero? Or other significant service to our homeland? Was your Dad? Mother? Brother? Sister? Friend? If not just want to express your gratitude or inspirations or concerns? Or discuss assistance? Please share anything on your heart. Be it through stories, interview clips, quotes, songs, video clips (no blood/gore please), or anything that touches you. I was touched by Lyricist Bernie Taupin wrote this song for Elton John to sing. “Oceans Away” about Taupin’s father and his service as a soldier during WWll. Taupin said of his song, “...I got to the point where I thought I wanted to do one thing that was just a penultimate song about my father and the Great Generation,” he says. As “the last of those people who fought in the second World War are disappearing and dying that they not be forgotten.”
Viet Nam era Navy Vet. Made my first WestPac Cruise in Dec. 1968. Have pictures of all three Destroyers I served on and my NTC (Naval Training Center) Great Lakes, IL graduation picture on the living room wall right beside our computer. A very interesting time of my life!
Thank you Cody. When I think of what I was doing in 1968 compared to what you were doing, I'm so humbled. Can you share your pictures with us? Are you doing okay?
Doing fine, but I was never on land in Viet Nam. I was onboard a ship. As far as pictures, go online and take a look at the USS Robison DDG-12 (first ship I was on and went to Nam on), the USS Hollister DD-788 and the USS Henderson DD-785. Was on all three. Now, we have met a few very interesting Veteran's since living here in Jax, FL: Met one Veteran at a Denny's who was at Normandy Beach. He drove an assault vehicle to the beach, unloading troops, and had to go thru multiple dead bodies in the water. Another Veteran, at Petco, was in his barracks playing cards with buddies when half of the barracks was torn apart during Pearl Harbor attack. He was also at the Battle of Coral Sea. At Petsmart, met a retired Rear Admiral who had been in-charge of Mayport Naval Station here and ended up retiring from working at the Pentagon. I seen the baseball cap he was wearing and the double scrambled eggs on it. I knew what he was. While shopping yesterday, wife and I ran into a retired full Navy Commander who, at one time, was in-charge of the ship USS America aircraft carrier. He had enlisted in 1965 as a regular sailor, got up to E-6, got an Commission, became a Naval Officer and retired as a Commander. He was wearing a baseball cap with one line of scrambled eggs on his cap.
One of my sons was career army, (23 years). Both gulf wars, then some. Now, he's pursuing a career in agriculture. My dad and an uncle were both in the USAAC during WW2.
Ike, you must be proud of your son, your dad, and your uncle. 23 years for your son is a long time to maintain strength and courage like that. Cody, my dad was a Navy Captain on an aircraft carrier but not during any war. He would signal planes for takeoff and landing and then he became a pilot and flew an anti-submarine warfare plane. Are the gold braids on his cap the "scrambled eggs you spoke of? He had 4 gold strips for Captain. I've got his dress sword (not for use), naval pins, wing pin, etc. He was a good father and provided well for us. Moving every three years had it's pluses and minuses. Thank you for sharing all those amazing facts about the veterans you've met in FL…interesting to read. Speaking of Normandy Beach…I was really struck by this photo of these brave nurses stepping onto that beach to tend to the wounded. You don't hear much or see much about the women as heroes.
Yes, the "gold braids" aka "scrambled eggs" signify a Naval Officer of Commander and above. The gold stripes would be around each sleeve on a Dress uniform coat and gold bars would be on pads attached to the top of each shoulder. Gee, it's been 40 years and I still remember!!
Your memory is still sharp as a tack. Thank you for that information. I'll make a note of it and keep it with his things.
I was in the USAF 1960-1964 between the wars. The closet I came to combat was when I was sent to Oxford, Mississippi and Birmingham, Alabama during riots.
Sheldon, you must have stories to tell about the Birmingham Alabama riots. What a moment in history that was.
My husband's father was a guerrilla fighter under the USAFFE in the second world war. As a recognition of his war service, he was granted American citizenship in 1992. On that strength, he was able to get all his children to America except my husband who refused. He passed away in 2013 and his casket was wrapped with the American flag. He had wanted that recognition so I know he is happy to be called an American hero.
No kidding John? That's huge. A WWII Airforce pilot over Germany was an amazing step of bravery and service. Thank you. I hope you weren't injured. TC, John
@John Falcon, wekcome, I'm glad to see you here. I hope you join in the festivities this weekend at our Halloween party. I too come from a family of service personnel. Both of my great-grandfathers were in WW1, both grandfathers, one grandmother, and my first husband were in WW2. My husband Michael was a Marine between 1959 and 1964, my brother and sister were in Viet Nam, my oldest son was in the Army Rangers for 10 years before he was killed in '92, and I have two nephews and niece still in service. Watching the Army/Navy football games could get pretty rowdy in our family. This was my husband Michael.