Senior Citizens who are also Veterans,
find this special day to remember how
fortunate we are, again, this year.
I know how swiftly some of us mature
while we are in Service, some take
much longer.
My maturity in the Service, came with
a Court Martial and a rude awakening.
During the next 30 months, I became a
Senior minded individual.
I started to think like my Dad and started
to drink like my Grandfather...sparingly
and rarely to excess.
I became aware of my friends and Family...
Where was this whole picture going to take us.
Who was gonna make it... besides me?
That was where my Maturity Faltered.
I, was never out of the equation of survival.
That turning point came to fruition after the
Landings.
I had become a Senior Citizen in my Twenties.
I was recognized by my Peers in the Military as,
"An Old Soldier"
In 1943 when I began my Military Career,
the Army had a pecking order for us,. those
Draftees and Newbee Enlistees ....
The Career Army Personel, kept us at arms length
until we proved our worth..
After all, they were the older soldiers and
they had a right to demand our respect for
their experience and guidance.
AND THEY GOT IT!
The division was clear.
The old Army, training the "new army"
These guys, were already, "old soldiers"
Which brings me to 1951 .
I remember watching
I was recognized by my Peers in the Military as,
"An Old Soldier"
In 1943 when I began my Military Career,
the Army had a pecking order for us,. those
Draftees and Newbee Enlistees ....
The Career Army Personel, kept us at arms length
until we proved our worth..
After all, they were the older soldiers and
they had a right to demand our respect for
their experience and guidance.
AND THEY GOT IT!
The division was clear.
The old Army, training the "new army"
These guys, were already, "old soldiers"
Which brings me to 1951 .
I remember watching
The TV National Broadcast of General
Douglas MacArthur, who made his farewell
address to the U.S. Congress after being recalled
from Korea, by President Harry S. Truman.
His speech, made History, with the most
famous quote....
"Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away" .
Of course he was referring to himself but
I could"t help feel he was talking about
"the old Army of World War l "
Well now.
I hope you don't think of me being partial
to old folks but I think we should never forget
any Service person regardless of their age or
length of Service, and let them fade away.
They have earned our everlasting respect
and Memory.
I borrowed this poem , a tribute to the
98th Bomber Group from a Blog I follow..
The Charley-Boy Chronicles
A WW ll pilot's story
posted by Elizabeth Bacher a couple
of months ago.
Can't get it out of my mind.
Sharing it with you.
Douglas MacArthur, who made his farewell
address to the U.S. Congress after being recalled
from Korea, by President Harry S. Truman.
His speech, made History, with the most
famous quote....
"Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away" .
Of course he was referring to himself but
I could"t help feel he was talking about
"the old Army of World War l "
Well now.
I hope you don't think of me being partial
to old folks but I think we should never forget
any Service person regardless of their age or
length of Service, and let them fade away.
They have earned our everlasting respect
and Memory.
I borrowed this poem , a tribute to the
98th Bomber Group from a Blog I follow..
The Charley-Boy Chronicles
A WW ll pilot's story
posted by Elizabeth Bacher a couple
of months ago.
Can't get it out of my mind.
Sharing it with you.
8 comments:
Hi Sol! Hope you are doing well.
I totally agree with you. Every generation that has had to deal with a conflict is to be remembered and appreciated.
But you my friend, are part of the Greatest Generation. If not for you and those like you. We'd be living in a totally different world. There is no arguing that fact. I thank you for being part of that generation.
In the Marine Corps when we called them the "Old Breed," or the "Old Corps."
Thank you Pat....Again and again.
With those kind words you leave here.
It's really great to be back...
Sol
As I told you already...you are my most favorite senior citizen veteran. Glad you liked the poem...I'm sure my dad would have. We owe much to your generation! I too am glad to see you at your computer again. Liz
Hello, I am following your blog for a class on WW II history for my Bachelors...I look forward to learning from you and expanding my knowledge on WW II...Books sometimes leave things out but for someone like you who lived it, it is the best way to learn...Thank you for everything you did so I can do what I am free to do...I am a 16 year Navy Vet but when I look back on my Navy career, I didnt do anything that matches what you and your generation did...I thank you.
Hi Matt....Welcome and thank
you for your Comment...
Solomon
Hi! Just saw your comment which you had left on my book-blog. Thank you. Very kind of you. We're very busy renovating and writing and publishing books... but now it's a little easier with more books coming out and much of the renovations being done...
Very moving post you have here! And of course I love that poem! Who doesn't?!
Thank you for your comment Sara,
always welcomed and to the point.
Enjoyed visiting your Blog.
Thanks Doug...
What is your E-Mail Address ?????
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