"I met a very nice gentleman at the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC this summer. I introduced myself to him and asked him if he served in WWII. His son told us that he had served in the US Navy, and was from Missouri. His son swelled with pride when he told us his dad was there on D-Day when we stormed the beaches at Normandy. This Veteran was humble and polite throughout the whole exchange."

 

 

My boys and I shook his hand, thanked him for his service to our country, and left him with his family to his remembrances.

 

It made me wonder how many WWII vets are left in our own communities and how many of us take the time to thank them and recognize them for their significant contributions to our lives as we know it.

 

Do any of you have any family members that served in WWII? If so, please mention them in this thread, post a picture, tell their story. We need to recognize these veterans.

Edited September 6, 201214 yr by spindoc

We just lost this gem of a gentleman last weekend. He worked in an Army hospital in the South Pacific. When we took a group of students to Washington DC during Spring Break of 2011, he went with us. It was his first trip to the WWII Memorial. It was so special for our kids to share that time with him.

Up until the week before he passed away, at age 92, he walked 3 miles or more every day. He put us all to shame when it came to walking in DC!

My Sunday school teacher Harry Winters was in WWII, he fought across France and Germany in the war as an infantryman. He came back home and became a clock and watchmaker, then became a teacher and later principal in Ohio. He is the consummate gentleman and Christian; humble, respectful and courteous to all. Harry has used his experience during the war as the basis for some of his Sunday school lessons. I think he said he was 18 in 1944-45 while he was fighting in Europe.

Used to well, until my Grandpa died. I still kick myself for not approaching him about telling his stories then, but I'm a much different person now from when he was alive.

 

I'd like to get involved with the local group that helps take those guys to DC on a regular basis.

 

This is a picture of my dad, Conrad Rowland. He was a WWII vet, serving in the Air Force. He died, almost a year ago at the age of 92. He recorded some of his stories for his grandsons, which we will always cherish. He was my Principal in high school. When our school consolidated with Morgan Co High in 1974, Dad became the Assistant Superintendent in Morgan Co. His love for his family, church and community was shown daily in his life activities.

Edited September 6, 201214 yr by gold sunrise

I have so much respect for veterns, but it doubles for those who've served in WWII. I seriously think I could sit for hours and listen to their stories.

My grandfather (William Henry Harrison "Dee" Clark) served in the Navy. He drove the landing crafts that brought the boys ashore (Higgins Boats) in Italy and Sicily.

 

My great uncle Johnny Clark drove a Sherman and served in Patton's 3rd Army.

 

Both are no longer with us.

My grandpa was a WWII vet. He died a few years back, but I remember hearing a couple of his stories. The one that stood out most to me was when he met General Patton on the battlefield. My grandpa was in his tank waiting for a minefield to be cleared. Gen. Patton approaches and asks why they're stopped. They explain that they're waiting to get the go ahead from the guys clearing the field. Gen. Patton orders them to go ahead and cross the field prior to it being cleared...then, Patton gets back in his Jeep (or whatever he was riding in) and heads the opposite direction. Pretty typical of an officer to put his subordinates in danger before himself, I suppose. :idunno:

 

This is a picture of my dad, Conrad Rowland. He was a WWII vet, serving in the Air Force. He died, almost a year ago at the age of 92. He recorded some of his stories for his grandsons, which we will always cherish. He was my Principal in high school. When our school consolidated with Morgan Co High in 1974, Dad became the Assistant Superintendent in Morgan Co. His love for his family, church and community was shown daily in his life activities.

 

Very handsome man . Clark Gable -ish.

Watusi, well done on showing your boys how to appreciate others and how to show thanks in a personal way.

 

We should do that for all including the 19 yr old kid who serves today.

Watusi, well done on showing your boys how to appreciate others and how to show thanks in a personal way.

 

We should do that for all including the 19 yr old kid who serves today.

Thank you Clyde. We visited the WWII memorial, the Korean War memorial and the Vietnam Wall that day. We were moved at each location an we had the opportunity to chat with veterans at each. It was humbling for me, and it made an impression on my sons. It opened up a lot of discussion about what a debt of gratitude we owe every soldier, past and present, who fights to protect the freedoms that we largely take for granted.

 

We also had a name of a local boy who died in the Vietnam War and we found his name on the wall. Both boys made an etching of his name. That kind of hit home for us because we know that some of his family still lives here, plus he shared our last name. We have debated framing the name and taking it to his family, but we don't know them personally and we aren't sure about their feelings on that. So for now we have it in a safe place and we talk about him from time to time even though none of us knew him.

My father, who passed away one year ago this Sunday, served in the Marines during WWII. He was involved in several landings in the Pacific as part of the 6th Marine Division. Carried a flame thrower for the first couple of landings and then switched to carrying an air cooled machine gun for the Okinawa landing. Suffered a pretty severe head wound on Okinawa and "sported" a metal plate on the side of the head the rest of his life.

 

Even though I also served in the Marines, my father would never share what he experienced, but I sensed it wasn't, as they say, pretty because of his refusal to discuss his experiences other than to cryptically say " in the Marines, you do what you are told to do". Years after I'm off active duty, my eldest son has to interview a WWII veteran as an elementary school class project. Asks if he could interview Grandpa. I told him I doubt that Dad would agree to it, but I'd check. Called Mom to see what she thought, as I didn't want to put Dad on the spot. She checks with Dad and to my surprise, he agrees. We go up and I listen in as my son interviews Dad in the next room. Learned a lot about his experiences during a 30 minute interview. For whatever reason, the interview loosened Dad up. When he and I were alone on subsequent occassions, I'd get the unsanitized version of what he had told my son. I came to realize why he had held back for so long. War is brutal and I'll leave it at that. Dad joined the Marines when he was 17. To do so, a parent had to sign the enlistment papers. If you had known my Dad you wouldn't have been surprised to learn that he forged his Mother's signature. Dad went on to live until he was almost 85 years old. Life wasn't always easy but he thoroughly enjoyed life as he knew it very easy could have ended when he was 17.

 

My father in law is also a WWII veteran and served in the Army. Fortunately, he didn't have so serve in combat and have the experiences and see the things my Dad did.

 

Thanks Toots for starting this thread. If you are fortunate enough to meet a WWII vet, please let him/her know how much you appreciate their sacrifices and service. There aren't many WWII vets around anymore unfortunately and most of them that are, don't have many years left.

My grandfather served in the Army during WWII. I have 2 patients still living who are WWII vets. Great men who are possibly the most respectful, courteous gentlemen I've ever had the pleasure of knowing.

Both my grandfathers are WWII veterans. After I go home tonight I'll try to upload some pictures and tell some small portion of their stories.

 

My next door neighbor growing up was also a WWII vet.

My step Grandfather served in WWII in Europe and was involved in a few battles, most notably the Battle of the Bulge. He shared some of his experiences with us, but not many details, especially about battle. He is gone now and I wish I had taken the time to record his stories about it all.