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by Elliott_Davis from St. Louis

Last Post 23 hours Ago


Wonderful Talk With Vet
Jul 6, 2008 | 11:04 PM
Category: News
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I had the greatest experience this morning on my way to church. There's a disabled man I speak to every time I go to a convenience store on Sunday Morning.

But this morning I after I said hi..we started talking about Independence Day and he told me he served in the Navy in World War II.

I'm a student of history, and have a great respect for the soldiers and sailors who serve our nation.

And a special interest in those who served in WWII..I was all ears.

He told me how he was stationed on a security detail on Tinian Island and actually stood next to the atomic Bomb that was ultimately dropped on Hiroshima which ended the war. And that he'd seen the B-29 Bomber that dropped the device.

He was 17 years old at the time and remembered everything in great detail..We talked nearly and hour. While I missed a good part of church, hearing his story gave me more insight into a valuable piece of history.

We can all take time to at least give a listen to the people who were willing to give their lives if need be for the sake of the nation.

Vets are always worth listening to, even when we're not celebrating Independence Day.

Where would we be without them?

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Member Comments Total Comments: 8
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mr_wildflower read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 5:40 AM

The old vets are getting fewer and fewer..... I like to hang at the VFW ... I stop in and buy the old vets a beer once in a while.......
They love their draft beer and they always have lively conversation......
Flaglady read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 8:00 AM

Vets always have a good story to tell about their service to our country and the brothers/sisters they served with.
jeanette read my blog view my photos
Jul 7, 2008 | 10:54 AM

Vet's and people of age. I can sit and listen to for hour's. They have wonderful story and how they remember it all I don't know. But some I have listened too need's to write a book of their life . I bet it would be a best seller.
kurkel read my blog view my photos
Jul 8, 2008 | 9:05 AM

I love that there is that group out there interviewing and taking down the stories from our war heroes (and everyone that has served is a war hero in my book!)

My brother in law served in Nam and the stories are terrifying. And he wont talk about them at all anymore. He only did back then (about 20 plus yrs ago) after he had been drinking...alot! Viet nam was just so different all the way around and so sad and tragic....
angelaavery
Jul 9, 2008 | 9:17 PM

I recently spent some time at Ft. Sam Houston in San Antonio Texas. While I was there I met 2 remarkable soldiers who were wounded in Iraq. One of the soldiers lost both legs and the other lost half a foot. I also met some other soldiers who had been hit with roadside bombs. I left there with a new understanding of the sacrifices the men and women of the military. I would like to thank all of the veterans without each and every person in the military we may not be a free nation.
Nailer read my blog view my photos
Jul 9, 2008 | 10:43 PM

Here is a sample letter from pbs show "War Letters"
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/warletters/index.html

Letter
"Myself and eight other Negro soldiers were on our way from Camp Claiborne, La., to the hospital here at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. ...We could not purchase a cup of coffee at any of the lunchrooms around there... As you know, Old Man Jim Crow rules. But that's not all; 11:30 a.m. about two dozen German prisoners of war, with two American guards, came to the station. They entered the lunchroom, sat at the tables, had their meals served, talked, smoked, in fact had quite a swell time. I stood on the outside looking on... Are we not American soldiers, sworn to fight for and die if need be for this our country?"

This letter was published in Yank Magazine April 28,1944
Nailer read my blog view my photos
Jul 9, 2008 | 10:45 PM

Another great PBS show is "THE WAR"
http://www.pbs.org/thewar/
Accounts from vets of world war II and the home effort.
bill01 read my blog
Jul 10, 2008 | 7:38 AM

Kurkel,
A lot of vets are like that. My uncle was in Nam and would never talk to me about what he did there no matter how much I asked as a kid. But as soon as I joined up he would sit and talk about his experiences in Korea and Vietnam all the time. My nephew is that way a lot about his times in Iraq. He doesn't talk about it a lot unless it's with another vet.
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Elliott_Davis

I'm a reporter at Fox 2 News, specializing in investigative journalism with the 'You Paid For It segment'. I'm also a weekend anchor and reporter. I'm a St. Louis native, graduate of Vashon High School, Cornell University, and the father of a teenage daughter. I enjoy reading, chess, and exposing public officials wasting your money.

Member Since: 9/13/2006


 

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