ADS NOT DISPLAYED TO REGISTERED USERS.
+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 17
Like Tree2Likes

Thank a World War Two Veteran.

OFF-Topic / Misc. Discuss Thank a World War Two Veteran. in the Current forums; My dad tried to enlist on Dec.8th 1941, he was 14 years old. They told him that he was too ...

  1. #1
    Senior Member meatloaf109's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    north carolina
    Posts
    4,741
    Country
    United States

    Thank a World War Two Veteran.

    My dad tried to enlist on Dec.8th 1941, he was 14 years old. They told him that he was too young. He walked down the block and signed on in the Merchant Marine. They took him. They taught him engineering, and sent him to sea as one of the "black gang" on a T-2 tanker. They took on oil in Houston and went up to Cape Hattaras N.C. where a U-boat torpedoed them. He swam through burning oil to shore. As a boy I was always amused by the wild growth of hair that was his eyebrows, and the constant clipping of his nose and ear hair. A strange effect of that experience, He told me later. He sailed on many convoys, to England mostly, but also to the Mediterranean/African front and Russia.(Murmansk) The last trip he took as a Merchant Marine sailor ended in another torpedoing. He spent 32 days in a life boat in the North Atlantic. After a short stay on shore he forged his fathers signature and enlisted in the U.S.N. (He said he wanted to be on something that shot back) He was 16. They made him a plank owner on the U.S.S. Gainard (DD-706) and off he went to the invasion of Okinawa. Dad said that when they were on picket duty they shot down 50 kamikazes. I don't care what the real number was. He was always proud of that.
    We had our difficulties, he and I. When I was 14, and knew everything, he suggested that I leave and prove it. So I did.
    Many miles and many moons and after my own service, many years later, we talked.
    That's when I learned most of the above.
    My father had a massive stroke two weeks ago, the doctors have done all that they can since then, but it appears that it is only a matter of time.
    I am not asking for condolences or sympathy, my views on death don't include that.
    Just go out of your way to thank a World War Two Veteran, theyr'e getting thin on the ground.







    "Curse you Red Baron!"-Snoopy


  2. #2
    Senior Member RabidAlien's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Hurst, Texas
    Posts
    6,622
    Country
    United States
    I do every time I meet one. Your dad sounds like one hell of a guy, the kind I would be proud to shake the hand of. Give him my thanks, Meatloaf, and shake his hand for me. And my thanks to you, as well, for your own service.


    Pillage, then burn.

    Argue not with dragons, for thou art crunchy and go well on toast.

  3. #3
    Senior Member meatloaf109's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    north carolina
    Posts
    4,741
    Country
    United States
    Unfortunately, I am many miles away, and there is nothing that I could do or say that would change things.
    Thank you for your recognition of the Vets as you find them, as for me, I just did my job and am happy counting my toes... they're all there.







    "Curse you Red Baron!"-Snoopy


  4. #4
    Senior Member Aaron Brooks Wolters's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Abingdon, VA.
    Posts
    12,571
    Country
    United States
    Thank you and your father Meatloaf. My Dad's dad was in the Merchant Marines also, my dad in the Airforce. And as with RA, I thank them regardless of what war or time period they have or are serving in. My hat is off to you and you father sir. They would take me, they sorta frown on Type I diabetes.


  5. #5
    Glock Perfection Matt308's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    18,825
    Country
    United States
    Perhaps the story is not completely factual, but such becomes irrelevant given your father's service. A man's contribution to America's protection is not weighed based upon his memories, but rather upon his actions.

    May God bless him.

    "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if
    they made a difference in the world. But, the [U.S.]
    Marines don't have that problem."
    -- Ronald Reagan

    Master of Duplicate Posts

  6. #6
    Der Crew Chief DerAdlerIstGelandet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    USA/Germany
    Posts
    39,307
    Country
    United States
    Country II
    Germany


    I agree with you completely meatloaf.


    fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

  7. #7
    Senior Member meatloaf109's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    north carolina
    Posts
    4,741
    Country
    United States
    My Dad died early this morning, I'm gonna go hang out at the grocery story and thank every old vet I can find.
    The greatest generation is leaving us, America needs their example.







    "Curse you Red Baron!"-Snoopy


  8. #8
    Der Crew Chief DerAdlerIstGelandet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    USA/Germany
    Posts
    39,307
    Country
    United States
    Country II
    Germany
    I am sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolenses.



    fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

  9. #9
    Senior Member pbfoot's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    niagara falls
    Posts
    7,635
    Country
    Canada
    Sorry about your Dad

  10. #10
    Senior Member meatloaf109's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    north carolina
    Posts
    4,741
    Country
    United States
    Thank You one and all, preceeding and following, for your good wishes.
    As my mother has requested, I will not be attending his funeral.
    I will, however, be asking the WWII memorial to add his name to the list.
    That is how I will remember him.







    "Curse you Red Baron!"-Snoopy


  11. #11
    Der Crew Chief DerAdlerIstGelandet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    USA/Germany
    Posts
    39,307
    Country
    United States
    Country II
    Germany
    If you don't mind me asking, why does she not want you to attend?


    fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

  12. #12
    Senior Member oldcrowcv63's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Northeast North Carolina
    Posts
    1,344
    Country
    United States
    Country II
    United States
    My condolences ML, My father-in-law was also in the MM under similar circumstances. He was young (16 or 17), was kicked out of the house by his father and found a home on the water in a WW2 T-2 Tanker, I believe. He once told me he would never forget the experience of coming on deck at dawn late in the Pacific war and watching (like Mr. Roberts) an entire task force file silently by. I expect your own father saw many similar and equally exhilerating sights and lived to be proud of his son's own service. He saw and experienced more than most of us will ever see of life and the world. I hope recognition of his full life will give you the same comfort I felt when my father-in-law passed some years ago.
    None of us is as smart as all of us...

  13. #13
    Senior Member meatloaf109's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    north carolina
    Posts
    4,741
    Country
    United States
    Quote Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet View Post
    If you don't mind me asking, why does she not want you to attend?
    I was disowned by them when I left their faith. I don't blame her, she is a literalist fire and brimstone believer.
    So it goes.







    "Curse you Red Baron!"-Snoopy


  14. #14
    Der Crew Chief DerAdlerIstGelandet's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    USA/Germany
    Posts
    39,307
    Country
    United States
    Country II
    Germany
    Sorry to hear that.


    fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

  15. #15
    World Travelling Doctor? Gnomey's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
    Location
    Royal Deeside/Swansea, UK
    Posts
    28,830
    Country
    United Kingdom
    Sorry to hear of your loss. My condolences to you and your family.


    "Success is not Final, Failure is not Fatal, it is the Courage to Continue that Counts"
    Sir Winston Churchill

    "To him the People of the World Largely owe the Freedom and Liberties they Enjoy Today"
    Enscription on Hugh Dowding's (AOC Fighter Command 1936-40) statue in London


    My Photo Collections on Flickr

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 12
    Last Post: 07-28-2008, 06:26 AM
  2. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 01-13-2008, 02:19 PM
  3. WW2 Me-109 fighter plane to be dug up in Italy
    By syscom3 in forum Aviation
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 09-11-2007, 03:24 AM
  4. Tribute to the boys
    By evangilder in forum WW2 General
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-15-2006, 08:40 AM
  5. The Story of Charles Hoffman
    By Crazy in forum Stories
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-19-2004, 07:50 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86