tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77423629003721223522024-03-13T02:25:22.770-04:00Normandy D Day VetFrom England to H Hour on Normandy & Utah Beachsolfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.comBlogger81125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-74981199162904458152016-11-05T12:47:00.000-04:002016-11-05T12:47:21.037-04:00In Memorium - OMB's Final Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our beloved Oldest Military Blogger passed away shortly before his 94th birthday. We are proud to share that he got to be a part of the wonderful Hudson Valley Honor Flight's Mission 1000 on September 10, 2016. Please enjoy these photos of his trip in remembrance of his wonderful life. A heartfelt thank you to all of you who have followed his stories and corresponded with him here - you brought so much joy to his life.<br />
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OMB Ready to Go</div>
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Arriving to a crowd of appreciative citizens and soldiers</div>
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Korean War Memorial</div>
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Photo by Hudson Valley Honor Flight</div>
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WWII Memorial with daughter and son</div>
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D Day Memorial with grandson Dan</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One Final Salute</span></td></tr>
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I'm Here!</div>
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Do not stand at my grave and weep,</div>
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I am not there, I do not sleep.</div>
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I am a thousand winds that blow,</div>
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I am the diamond glint of the snow,</div>
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I am the sunlight on the ripening grain,</div>
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I am the gentle autumn's rain.</div>
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When you awaken in the morning's hush</div>
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I am the swift uplifting rush</div>
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Of quiet birds in circled flight,</div>
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I am the soft stars that shine at night.</div>
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Do not stand at my grave and cry,</div>
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I am not there, I did not die.</div>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-75972971886311660352016-06-06T21:56:00.002-04:002016-06-06T22:05:26.908-04:00OMB Ten Year Blogging WOW!<br />
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<a href="http://sofine-normandyvet.blogspot.com/2011/05/oldest-military-blogger-im-here.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oldest Military Blogger! "I'm Here!"</span></a></h3>
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<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Sondheim" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stephen Sondheim</span><span style="color: #445566; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">celebrated his </span><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">80th </span></div>
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<span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Birthday a few </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">years ago with a review </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">of his canon of work on Broadway, at</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lincoln Center, in </span><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">New York</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">At 84,</span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWvg7P05TqA" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elaine Strich</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> closed the show in song, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with a sock performance of </span><a href="http://youtu.be/EWvg7P05TqA" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I'm Here",</span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">bringing down the house with a </span><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">standing </span></div>
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<span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ovation</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> to lyrics like.....</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"I've seen good times and bum times.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I'm Here"..</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Stephen Sondheim,then took the stage, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">addressed the audience</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">while standing in front of the </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">entire Company of Players, stating... </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1367427/bio" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alice Roosevelt</span></a><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, once said,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">'First you're Young.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then, you're Middle aged.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then you're Wonderful!"</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So, here goes </span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">nothing new.</span></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman";"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">My 10th year blogging on our D Day </span><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 19.55px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Anniversary</span><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Well,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm Cool!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm Here!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And I'm Wonderful!</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you For Your Service.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Come Home, Safe and Sound. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Every Day Should Be </span><span style="color: #366388; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Memorial Day For</span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Remembering Those </span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who Gave Their All.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks Pal.</span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 17px; line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thanks.</span><br />
<br /></div>
solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-44736963597130976932016-05-30T10:56:00.000-04:002016-05-30T10:56:12.231-04:00Memorial Day 2016On this Day, to honor all the brave who served<br />
without much thought of the great risk for<br />
protecting those left at home, we hallow this Day.<br />
<br />
My good friend Duncan sent me the following.<br />
Thank you for your Service.<br />
Thanks Pal.<br />
Thanks.<br />
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<b id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5458"><span id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5459" style="font-size: x-large;">Poetry Corner</span></b></div>
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<span id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5463" style="color: black;">It's Memorial Day on Monday, so a little something to honor those that fought, some that</span></div>
<div id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5464">
<span id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5465" style="color: black;">were injured and some that died.</span></div>
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Here dead we lie, by A. E. Housman</h3>
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Here dead we lie<br id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5471" />Because we did not choose<br id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5472" />To live and shame the land<br id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5473" />From which we sprung.</div>
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Life, to be sure, <br id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5475" />Is nothing much to lose,<br id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5476" />But young men think it is,</div>
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<span id="yiv9487074769yui_3_16_0_ym19_1_1464548301924_5479" style="color: #333333; font-size: 18px; line-height: 28.0001px;">And we were Young</span></div>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-13896013461742115232015-11-10T23:52:00.000-05:002015-11-11T01:16:41.722-05:00The Final Inspection.A Veterans Day Thought.The Final Inspection.<br />
<br />
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<b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447215045301_5180">The Final Inspection</b></div>
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The soldier stood and faced God,</div>
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Which must always come to pass.</div>
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He hoped his shoes were shining,</div>
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Just as brightly as his brass.</div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447215045301_5168">“<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447215045301_5167"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447215045301_5166">Step forward now, you soldier,</span></span></span></div>
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How shall I deal with you?</div>
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Have you always turned the other cheek?</div>
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To My Church, have you been true?</div>
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<br /></div>
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The soldier squared his shoulder and said,</div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447215045301_5183">“<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447215045301_5182"><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1447215045301_5181">No, Lord, I guess I ain't...</span></span></span></div>
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Because of those of us who carry guns,</div>
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Can't always be a saint.</div>
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I've had to work most Sundays,</div>
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And at times, my talk was tough.</div>
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And sometimes I've been violent</div>
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Because the world is awfully rough.</div>
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<br /></div>
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But, I never took a penny</div>
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That wasn't mine to keep...</div>
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Though I worked a lot of overtime</div>
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When the bills got just too steep.</div>
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<br /></div>
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And I never passed a cry for help,</div>
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Though at times, I shook with fear.</div>
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And sometimes, God, forgive me,</div>
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I've wept unmanly tears.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I know I don't deserve a place</div>
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Among the people here.</div>
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They never wanted me around,</div>
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Except to calm their fears.</div>
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If you've a place for me here, Lord,</div>
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It needn't be so grand.</div>
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I never expected or had too much,</div>
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But, if you don't...I'll understand.</div>
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<br /></div>
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There was a silence all around the throne</div>
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Where the saints had often trod...</div>
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As the soldier waited quietly</div>
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For the judgment of his God.</div>
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“Step forward now, you soldier,</div>
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You've borne your burdens well.</div>
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Walk peacefully on Heaven's streets:</div>
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You've done your time in Hell!”</div>
solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-48401373087101479902015-06-06T05:55:00.000-04:002015-06-06T05:57:35.051-04:00Oldest Military Blogger Still is Here<div aria-labelledby="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2471 " class="thread-body" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2471" role="presentation" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px 27px; word-wrap: break-word;" tabindex="0">
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<span style="background-color: inherit;">My friend ,Dave asked me in an E-Mail,how did anything ever get to where it was supposed to go in the</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2640">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">turmoil on the Beach on D Day.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: inherit;">I told him to read my Blog on the Anniversary of D Day,for the best answer I remember. .</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2640">
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<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2640">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">As far as to what and where the stuff that came ashore went and how it got to its</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2607">
proper destination, is the real miraculous mystery of the Landings successful culmination..</div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2633">
I can't tell you how it was accomplished first hand, but here is what I saw and got from </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2611">
my conversations <span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2632" style="background-color: inherit;">in my two months on the Beach and 4 months in Cherbourg.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2631">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2630" style="background-color: inherit;">The first time we came ashore, was like a Movie Set...Unreal...Soaking wet, following the guy in front,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2629">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2628" style="background-color: inherit;">conscious of the shelling but moving, worried,but moving..When we stopped we hit the sand </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2612">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2627" style="background-color: inherit;">and looked back to see how far we had come...Not very far....an hour or so later on </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2626">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">our way back to the S.S.Pickett while </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2625" style="background-color: inherit;">waiting for a ride, I looked around..... </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2613">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2624">There were two Beach Masters, dressed in faded coveralls, Master Sargent insignia on their </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2623">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2622">sleeves and on their hip,a holstered side arm, a baseball cap on the one standing, the other taking notes </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2614">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2621">on one kneeling knee. Then I figured out what the rest of the multitude was doing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2619">
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2620">There were two and a half ton trucks that were being loaded by Drivers </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2618">
and truck crews, with stuff from the DUKWs. They were <span style="background-color: inherit;">coordinating with a group </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2615">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">of MPs by radio when they could raise their head to </span><span style="background-color: inherit;">look around...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: inherit;">The first day, stuff just came ashore...The DUKW,s went to the nearest boat,on</span><span style="background-color: inherit;"> </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2616">
its entry point into the water...</div>
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I understand, the Ships with what was 'most important" were anchored closest to the beach.</div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2642">
Soon as they were emptied they left for England.</div>
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Now the DUKWs had to go further out...The Vessels WERE NOT PERMITTED TO MOVE.<br />
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The second day there were at least 4 Beach Masters on our section of the beaches we worked, </div>
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with the faded fatigue coveralls but without stripes and all were helmeted,. </div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
Not making the confusion any better.<span style="background-color: inherit;">3 days of very bad weather.We got organized and after the 4th day,</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">that storm </span><span style="background-color: inherit;">saved our ass as far as getting the hang of what was going on, </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">Nothing moved to shore.....The next day we went out with almost being swamped by rough seas...</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">Climbed up Cargo Nets over the side of the ship and went to work.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">They couldn't get enough DUKWs out to unload the ship so we slept in the Hatch that we had just </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">unloaded, filled with Jerry Cans of Gasoline.. .</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: inherit;">We finished the job through the next morning and afternoon ,,,,]</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">We left just as we came...In this case,Over the starboard side facing the beach, holding on to the Cargo Nets. </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">Jumping from the nets,DOWN on the upstroke, at the highest level of 6 to 8 feet </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">into the heaving DUKWs, going down.The deck of the empty ship was more than </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">18 feet at times, above the water at the number 2 hatch.</span><span style="background-color: inherit;">When reaching the beach we </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">were informed of a German Parachute Unit dropping behind </span><span style="background-color: inherit;">our advancing front line </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit;">that was heading for the Beach..</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">We had a wide awake night.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2645">
<span style="background-color: inherit; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">This was the only stoppage ever, of Delivering the Right Stuff...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: inherit; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Look up Port Chicago, California, if you get a chance.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: inherit; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Love,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: inherit; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">Finnegan</span></div>
<div class="thread-quoted-text unselectable" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1433582005669_2650" role="presentation" style="-webkit-user-select: none; margin-top: 12px;" title="Show original message">
<span class="icon icon-chevron-right qtd-expansion-icon" data-action="quoted-text" role="presentation" style="color: #999999; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; font-family: mail; font-size: 2rem; line-height: 1em; margin-bottom: 1px; margin-left: -7px; padding: 0px; speak: none; vertical-align: middle;"></span>Thank you for your Service.</div>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-65675180924588101612015-05-23T22:19:00.000-04:002016-05-30T11:08:20.452-04:00OMB Memorial Day 2015<div id="yiv0360315123yui_3_16_0_1_1431914742137_2443" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
My apologies to my many readers for not publishing more often....</div>
<div id="yiv0360315123yui_3_16_0_1_1431914742137_2443" style="font-family: HelveticaNeue, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
But Hey!</div>
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I'm Here !</div>
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Came across this interesting article in the L.A. Times recently </div>
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and can't resist sharing with you the first celebration of</div>
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Decoration Day in the USA</div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Decoration Day, as it was known in the 1800s, now </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">is called Memorial Day, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I wish I could type all the stuff I would want you to see, unfortunately, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">my poor abilities </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">prevent me from communicating as thoroughly,here....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Please click on the link below to access what I'm trying to write ...</span><br />
<br />
<br />
My very best wishes for a Safe and Healthy Memorial Weekend.<br />
Thank you for your Service.<br />
And as Ernie Pyle said on his best work,<br />
Thanks Pal..Thanks.solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-19998029535782889992014-06-07T13:57:00.002-04:002014-06-07T20:10:01.518-04:00OMB 70th D Day CelebrationPromised I'd be back and 'I'm Here".<br />
<br />
Very proud and Happy to be here to welcome you all to<br />
my 89th something posting, in of more than 7 years of Blogging.<br />
<br />
This 70th Anniversary of this important day in World Civility,<br />
born through the efforts of a War to End All Wars, is to be<br />
humbly compared with today's perception of wars and their reality.<br />
<br />
Who Cares !<br />
Life goes on !<br />
Whatsallthefussabout !<br />
<br />
Fortunately, some of us still do care.<br />
<br />
Thought you would like to see a picture of our outfit, the<br />
301st Port Company, taken at Indiantown Gap, PA,<br />
in 1943, after Basic Training. <br />
Graciously,sent to me by Bill and his wife, Pam..<br />
Bill's Father, Frank Wroblewski is Seventh from the right, seated in the first row.<br />
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301st Port Company Indian Town Gap, PA 1943</div>
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Left to Right, Meredith, Me and Portnoy Front Row Seated</div>
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<br /></div>
Robert Laurence Binyon wrote from and about WWI until he died on<br />
March 10,1943....one month after I arrived at Camp Upton to be oriented<br />
in the Army before Basic training.<br />
I found his stuff fascinating and scary.<br />
My Favorite scary one, was "The Fallen",<br />
which I've referred too, on occasion...<br />
I would like to remember this day with<br />
some of his verse of remembrance.<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">They went with songs to the battle, they were young. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">They fell with their faces to the foe. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">At the going down of the sun and in the morning, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;" /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">We will remember them. </span><br />
<br />
Thank Pal, Thankssolfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-59435312657073879712014-05-27T00:41:00.001-04:002014-05-27T00:46:59.062-04:00OMB On Memorial Day 2014 A little late in the day to publish but, after a great movie I was inspired.<br />
<br />
I live alone and have people coming to my home,from a well known Medical Agency, seven days a week, to help me with some personal chores and to deal with my physical insufficiency<br />
This past Friday, I was notified by this service agency, that today was a national holiday to Honor our Military Service men and women and no one would be able to help me Monday. May 26, Memorial Day...<br />
I thought this was humorous and pathetic and to get me over my displeasure, I mellowed out with<br />
good things to say to them, the first chance got......<br />
<br />
Spent the day scrounging around for things to do, like naps, TV, crossword puzzles...and more naps.<br />
While watching the movie,"The Story of G.I. Joe ",a phone call from my Daughter wishing me, her very best Wishes and her Love, was my inspiration at the film ending with a tribute to the fallen heroes of our Military .<br />
The Movie, Robert Mitchum and Burgess Meredith hook up with the 18 Infantry in North Africa,<br />
island hopping to Italy and finally to Casino. Burgess portrays the roll of Ernie Pyle, a Pulitzer Prize<br />
War Correspondent who lived in the turmoil of the 18th Infantry and its GI's ....<br />
He writes and finishes the Film with ...<br />
<br />
This is our War<br />
And we carry it from one battleground to another<br />
Until it's over<br />
And we win it.<br />
I hope we can rejoice with the Victory<br />
But Humbly....and all together we will try, <br />
Try out of the memory of our anguish,<br />
To assemble our broken world<br />
Into a pattern, so fair, so firm,<br />
That another Great War can never again be possible<br />
And for those beneath the wooden crosses,<br />
There is nothing we can do except.<br />
To pause and murmur,<br />
"Thanks Pal, Thanks"<br />
ERNIE PYLE<br />
<br />
Until Next Time, I Thank you for Your Service.solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-85989135036785246242013-11-11T12:32:00.000-05:002013-11-11T12:32:31.382-05:00OMB Honors Service Served..November 11, 2013.<br />
<br />
Today, We Honor the Memory of Those who have Fallen in the Service<br />
of Their Country, and Those who Survived the Ordeal and Passed On.<br />
<br />
May They Rest in Peace.<br />
<br />
Today, I join you in Honoring the Military Servicemen and Women<br />
who are representing the United States, Serving all over the World<br />
and here at Home. My Best Wishes for their Safety and Early<br />
Homecoming from the U.S. or Abroad ..<br />
<br />
I know many of you may look Quizzically at my excessive Capitalization.<br />
But,<br />
Hey .....It's the Way I Feel About It !<br />
<br />
Thank You For Your Service.<br />
Solomonsolfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-90573037266095042002013-09-08T19:33:00.001-04:002013-09-08T21:24:35.164-04:00OMB attends Wings of Freedom tour.The Wings of Freedom tour visited nearby Oxford Airport this weekend. A wonderful display of vintage WWII aircraft. Here are some photos.<br />
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To view videos of the P51 Mustang landing, taxi and take off click on the links below:<br />
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P51 Mustang Landing <a href="http://youtu.be/nsjs5uJUlW0" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/nsjs5uJUlW0</a><br />
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P51 Mustang Taxi in <a href="http://youtu.be/5T2fClDGziA" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/5T2fClDGziA</a><br />
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P51 Mustang Taxi out <a href="http://youtu.be/YORSGMDIPuo" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/YORSGMDIPuo</a><br />
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P51 Mustanf Take off <a href="http://youtu.be/b8aXZmwY7lk" target="_blank">http://youtu.be/b8aXZmwY7lk</a><br />
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-62676154939975571802013-08-29T15:03:00.000-04:002013-08-29T15:03:06.006-04:00Oldest Military Blogger Recalls a DREAM<br />
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_418" style="font-size: 16px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_117" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Oldest Military Blogger Reflects.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_160" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_162" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_164" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_166" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_168" /></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_155" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_154" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_153" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_147" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">A Comment two days ago on my Blog, prompts</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_171" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">me to re-title this posting ...</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_178" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">My Father Loves Me. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_140">
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_184" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_191" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">After finishing my Basic Training at Indiantown Gap PA,</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_197" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">and having settled into my new Quarters with the 301st</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Port Co., an event took place, that at the time, was very</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">uplifting for my morale.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">My Father,who had gone to work on the West Coast for</span></span></span></span></div>
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_111">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Kaiser Shipyards, constructing Liberty Ships for the</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Maritime Commission as an overhead welder, impulsively</span></span></span></span></div>
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_123">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_127" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">dropped in to visit me.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_133" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">In an interval between shipbuilding, that day, on a train </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">bound for New </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">York from Washington State, my Father </span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">got off at the </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Harrisburg, PA. stop, some 20 odd miles </span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">from, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Indiantown Gap.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The Camp Service Bus gave him a lift from the Station</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">to the Gap.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">He left after having Dinner in our mess hall but regretted</span></span></span></span></div>
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_108">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">being unable to stay because he was anxious to be</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">on his way home to my Mother and 5 of my siblings.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Many years later, waking from a Dream, I walked into</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_105">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">my kitchen at Four A.M.,sat down in my underwear</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">at the kitchen table, and composed the following</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">recollection of the dream and what it revealed to me,</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">less it be lost forever..The Revelation?.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">My Father Loves Me!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_102">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">On Feb. 14th 1995, I had an insight that was quite</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_99">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">remarkable to me, that after 52 years I realized that</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">My Father Loved Me ....Very Much!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">It was the late afternoon of Oct. 1943...I was in the</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Army, stationed in Indiantown Gap PA....An Orderly</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">came to tell me that my Father was on the Base and</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">the Orderly had been instructed to bring me to</span></span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_226" style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_218">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_220" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_222" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_224" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_205" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Battalion Headquarters in his Jeep. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_217" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_216" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_215" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_214" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_212" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">Civilians </span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: bold;">had to be detained for security reasons until</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">a uniformed escort could be provided </span></span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_96">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_242" style="font-size: medium;">to accompany them...</span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_237" style="font-size: medium;"> on the base...</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">It was explained to </span></span></span><span style="font-size: medium;">me, that the visitor was with </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Master </span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_246" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Sergeant</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">, Charles Hart, awaiting my </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">arrival at the </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Sergeant's office.</span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_261" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">During the ride, I had the most agonizing thoughts. </span></span></span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_93">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_268" style="font-size: small;">Trying to </span></span></span></span>understand the reason for this unexpected </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_93">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">and unusual </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">circumstance, of allowing, visitors </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_93">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">for G.I's, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">who were only </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">permitted on weekends.</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">The remainder of the ride was </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">short, and when </span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">we arrived, </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">we were told that the First </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_274" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Sergeant</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">had taken my Father </span></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">to the Mess Hall and we were </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">to meet them there.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">As I turned to look toward the Mess Hall, from where</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I stood I could see the the enlisted men's Chow Line, </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">some 200 </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feet away and outstanding, was the dark </span></span><br />
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blue outfit among </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_279" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the olive drab in the line, restlessly waiting.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The brown fedora and the blue figure's posture, identified</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">his person as my Pop...and as I ran toward him....he turned</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">to see where the shouting was coming from and saw me</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">running...he left the line and came in my direction.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">When we met there was a very awkward moment, of</span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_87">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">no embrace, no hugging or kissing......just some macho</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
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<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_84">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">back slapping and hand shaking..and I remember, that</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">wonderful smile on his face, announcing to me that he</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">was not a bearer of bad news.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The thing of it is, for over 50 years until tonight's</span></span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_320" style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_293" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Dream, I didn't make any sense out of the look in his eyes.</span></span></span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_81">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_316" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_319" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_317" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_318" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_285" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Until this realization in my awaking... </span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_81">
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I remembered those eyes</span></span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_302" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> ...</span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_81" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_314" style="font-weight: bold;">They </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_323" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">saw me with sparkling admiration and good </span><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_310" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold;">humor, </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_304">
<span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_306" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">tearful pride and concern, a careful appraisal</span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_330" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">from head to toe and with what I understand now, </span></span></span></span><br />
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_78">
<span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">as </span></span></span></span><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_337" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Much Love......</span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_341" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The kind of Love I hope my Children can see and</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_349" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">apprise, when they notice me looking at them, today.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_357" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">The kind of look I had seen, in my Mother's eyes,</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">many times, knowing what that admiration was all</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_76">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">about. </span></span></span></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_73">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Strangely, I never equated that thought</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">with my Dad.</span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Evidently, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">W</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">e do get Wise as we Age.</span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I still have the original hand scripted page from 1995,</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">on a yellow legal pad.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_70">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I share this with you now because I was 21 years</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">of age then, without the awareness of all that was</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">going on around me....occupied with my own trials</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">and tribulations.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_143">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I knew innately, that my father loved me, but the vivid</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_392">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">dream gave me the intellectual wisdom of his feelings</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_385">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">toward me.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_415">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">When you get Home, Love your families.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_400">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">To Love is to Give.</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Expect nothing in return and you will never be disappointed.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">You get Love only when it is Given without reservation.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_412">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Some day, you will realize, you were getting It back in Triplicate,</span></span></span></span></div>
</div>
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_383" style="font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
<div id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_371" style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_373" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_375" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_377" style="font-size: medium;"><i id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_379"><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_381"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_61" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_410" style="font-weight: bold;">but hopefully,</span> </span></span></i></span></span></span><i id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_366" style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_365"><span class="Apple-style-span" id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_363" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you <span id="yui_3_7_2_38_1377799218678_398" style="font-weight: bold;">were not</span><b> too busy, </b>to notice..,</span></span></i></div>
<div>
<i style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
</div>
solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-87130189732445771582013-08-27T19:21:00.000-04:002013-08-27T19:21:43.357-04:00Oldest Military Blogger! "I'm Here!"<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Sondheim">Stephen Sondheim </a>celebrated his 80th <br />
Birthday, Live on PBS, with a review <br />
of his canon of work on Broadway, at<br />
Lincoln Center, in New York. <br />
At 84,<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWvg7P05TqA">Elaine Strich</a> closed the show in song, <br />
with a sock performance of <a href="http://youtu.be/EWvg7P05TqA">"I'm Here",</a><br />
bringing down the house with a standing <br />
ovation to lyrics like.....<br />
"I've seen good times and bum times.<br />
And I'm Here"..<br />
Stephen Sondheim,took the stage, <br />
addressed the audience<br />
while standing in front of the <br />
entire Company of Players, stating... <br />
"<a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1367427/bio">Alice Roosevelt</a>, once said,<br />
'First you're Young.<br />
Then, you're Middle aged.<br />
Then you're Wonderful!"<br />
<br />
So, after 3 months of good days <br />
and bum days, keeping me from my Blog...<br />
Well,<br />
I"m 90<br />
I'm Cool!<br />
I'm Here!<br />
And I'm Wonderful!<br />
<br />
Come Home, Safe and Sound and<br />
Every day should be, Memorial Day,<br />
Remember All of Those,<br />
Less Fortunate.<br />
<br />
Thank you for your Service.solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-60484222783791217742013-06-05T15:43:00.000-04:002013-06-05T18:55:01.704-04:00OMB Celebrates D Day<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oldest Military Blogger Celebrates D Day.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What Soldiers Do”, a shoddy book was released giving references of criminality by </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">soldiers stationed in France during WWII.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.88888931274414px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unfortunately, or was it intentionally,</span><span style="line-height: 1.15; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the week of the release </span><span style="line-height: 18.88888931274414px; white-space: pre-wrap;">corresponds</span> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">with the Memorial Day period of 2013..</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A despicable time to release this trashy title to humiliate Service Persons.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Soldiers know what they do better than anybody..</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More than 2 million American Servicemen in Europe, away</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">from their family and loved ones, mostly in England, later in France,</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">but earlier in Africa, and Italy, some for more than two years</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Very busy keeping it together for Duty in WWII.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">War is not a palatable commodity.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The opposing combatants,maybe, are sometimes, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">all Morally Right, in their own way.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The winners and losers kill their enemy and themselves.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What’s moral about that.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">War is bad.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some Soldiers are bad .</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">They do bad things.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These Soldiers have lost their Morals.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The civilians complain to the Authorities</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Soldiers are punished.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">More than 60, almost 70 years later, a Historian published </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a book condemning all soldiers for what </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.15; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">they did in France because of a letter written in 1945, </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">by the Mayor of Le Havre, after the liberation of his Country.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How soon we forget.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We must remember the tens of thousands of lives</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">lost in the war in France, fighting for that Liberty.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That’s what that weekend is really about.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Department of Veterans Affairs reports, at the end of World War II, there were 16 million veterans. Today, there are about 1 million. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">By 2036, it is estimated there will be no living veterans of World War II.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for your Service in any branch of the Military.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thank you for your Service in any War, here or abroad...</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only soldiers know best, what soldiers do.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As to the 70th Anniversary of D Day on Normandy, I personally </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">have some business I have to take care of then ,so I’ll stick around.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">W</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">elcome Home.</span></div>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-34145296534581385202012-12-25T08:14:00.000-05:002012-12-25T08:18:18.796-05:00OMB Celebration !A couple of weeks ago, I Celebrated my 90th Birthday<br />
with Family and Friends...<br />
I am Here.....<br />
Today, I Celebrate, a most favorite Holiday of mine with you.<br />
My very best wishes and good health, for a Very Merry Christmas and<br />
A Happy New Year to All my Followers and Readers.solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-40931103197776685032012-11-11T07:16:00.001-05:002012-11-11T07:20:55.135-05:00Oldest Military Blogger Recalls Armistice Day 1932.<br />
Veterans of the World War, Living and Fallen Remembered.<br />
The War to end all Wars did not have a number after it'<br />
Less than 25 years later, we started to call it, WWI.<br />
<br />
I was ten.<br />
Attending my senior semester of Elementary School.<br />
P.S.4 was located on the south side of Rivington Street<br />
of the lower east side of Manhattan.<br />
Class 6B was a home room where students did not move from<br />
room to room to change subjects of study.<br />
Miss Kennedy was the Home Room Teacher of Class 6B.<br />
All our teachers were addressed as, Miss<br />
We had no male teachers in the building.<br />
Hoover was the President, the Country was in a state of Depression,<br />
and I lived three Blocks from the school.<br />
Walking distance.<br />
There was no School Transportation other than High School.<br />
Armistice Day was a regular school day..<br />
All our Classes participated in their Home Room.<br />
At 11 A.M. on November the 11th, the school bell rang to announce<br />
two minutes of silence, with each student's head lowered,<br />
onto their folded arms, on their desktop.<br />
The Church bells from the street sounded, at a solemn toll<br />
for those 2 minutes.<br />
Miss Kennedy sobbed and wept, openly.<br />
At the end of classes that day,Miss Kennedy, an heiress to the<br />
McCormick and Kennedy Trucking Fortune, got into her<br />
chauffeur driven Rolls Royce parked at the front gate of the school,<br />
and I walked home. <br />
<br />solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-55130428191750726662012-06-07T17:03:00.000-04:002012-06-09T20:42:33.284-04:00OMB Old Soldiers Never Die<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>Senior Citizens who are also Veterans,</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>find this special day to remember how </i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>fortunate we are, again, this year.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>I know how swiftly some of us mature</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>while we are in Service, some take</i></b></span></span><b style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 20px;"><i> </i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 20px;"><i>much longer.</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; line-height: 20px;"><i>My maturity in the Service, came with</i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">a Court Martial and a rude awakening.</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">During the next 30 months, I became a </span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Senior minded individual. </span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I started to think like my Dad and started</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">to drink like my Grandfather...sparingly </span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">and rarely to excess.</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I became aware of my friends and Family...</span></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>Where was this whole picture going to take us.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>Who was gonna make it... besides me?</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><b><i><span style="line-height: 20px;">That was where my Maturity Faltered.</span></i></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>I, was never out of the equation of survival.</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>That turning point came to fruition after the</i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>Landings. </i></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>I had become a Senior Citizen in my Twenties.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>I was recognized by my Peers in the Military as,</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>"An Old Soldier"</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>In 1943 when I began my Military Career,</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>the Army had a pecking order for us,. those</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>Draftees and Newbee Enlistees ....</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>The Career Army Personel, kept us at arms length</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>until we proved our worth..</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>After all, they were the older soldiers and </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>they had a right to demand our respect for</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>their experience and guidance.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>AND THEY GOT IT!</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>The division was clear.</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>The old Army, training the "new army"</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>These guys, were already, "old soldiers"</i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i>Which brings me to 1951 . </i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I remember watching</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">The TV National Broadcast of General</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAmacarthur.htm">Douglas MacArthur</a>, who made his farewell </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">address to the U.S. Congress after being recalled </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">from Korea, by President Harry S. Truman.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/douglasmacarthurfarewelladdress.htm">His speech,</a> made History, with the most</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">famous quote....</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> "Old Soldiers Never Die, They Just Fade Away" .</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Of course he was referring to himself but </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I could"t help feel he was talking about </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">"the old Army of World War l "</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Well now.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I hope you don't think of me being partial</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">to old folks but I think we should never forget </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">any Service person regardless of their age or </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">length of Service, and let them fade away.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">They have earned our everlasting respect</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">and Memory. </span></span><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">I borrowed this poem , a tribute to the</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">98th Bomber Group from a Blog I follow..</span></span></i></b><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><a href="http://charlie-boychronicles.blogspot.com/http://charlie-boychronicles.blogspot.com/http://charlie-boychronicles.blogspot.com/http://charlie-boychronicles.blogspot.com/http://charlie-boychronicles.blogspot.com/http://charlie-boychronicles.blogspot.com/">The Charley-Boy Chronicles</a></i></b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i> A WW ll pilot's story</i></b></span></span><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"> posted by Elizabeth Bacher a couple</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">of months ago.</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Can't get it out of my mind.</span></span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">Sharing it with you.</span></span></i></b></div>
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<tr class="imcBubbleEntry"><td class="imcToBubbleEntry" style="background-color: transparent; overflow: hidden;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: 12pt;">High Flight<br /><br />"Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth<br />and danced the skies,<br />on laughter- silvered wings;<br /><br />Sunward, I've climbed, and joined,<br />the tumbling mirth, of sun- split clouds.<br />Done a hundred things,<br />you have not dreamed of, <br />wheeled and soared,<br />swung high in the sunlit silence.<br />Hov'ring there,<br />I've chased the shouting wind along, <br />flung my eager craft,<br />through the footless halls of air.<br /><br />Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue,<br />I've topped the wind swept heights,<br />with easy grace,<br />where never lark or eagle flew.<br /><br />While,<br />with silent, lifting mind,<br />I've trod the high, untrespassed,<br />sanctity of space,<br />I put out my hand,<br />and touched,<br />the face of God."<br /><a href="http://www.highgallery.com/highflight.html">Pilot Officer Gillespie Magee </a>Jr. <br />No. 412 Squadron, RCAF<br />Killed December 11, 1941</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #000033; font-family: Georgia; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20px;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></span></div>
<em style="background-color: #5588aa; color: #000033; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></em><br />
<em style="background-color: #5588aa; color: #000033; font-family: Trebuchet, 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;"><br /></span></em>solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-65025395734377051122012-06-07T14:13:00.000-04:002012-06-07T14:13:37.406-04:00OMB.1st Special Brigade Monument Pictures on Utah Beach<div>
Oldest Military Blogger Posts some Pictures he promised....</div>
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It seems that, some promises are more difficult to keep.</div>
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Forgive the Quality, think of the effort.</div>
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Let me know what you think </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZgsRvWvhu_C8Oor09WGk7uIIpBLyelctaNRfLqg2SWo7h36GE5kkKkZFvkvrg2Mm2z-eb9NYu07YVvSzb2s-JIifJ4U0qth4sZdRKge58ghZ91Ex4_q_ptSGWKvr_phI-kXMbTtIL79w/s1600/IMG_1280.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690841127837777746" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCZgsRvWvhu_C8Oor09WGk7uIIpBLyelctaNRfLqg2SWo7h36GE5kkKkZFvkvrg2Mm2z-eb9NYu07YVvSzb2s-JIifJ4U0qth4sZdRKge58ghZ91Ex4_q_ptSGWKvr_phI-kXMbTtIL79w/s400/IMG_1280.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a>This Monument on the Utah Beach is almost 30 feet in height and in </div>
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some other pictures I posted, our 6 foot seven, First Sergeant Harte, </div>
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is standing next to the Pylon at the very top.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYybw1lCAMZptjoijQHShBEBLmcbvRxI4bB-lCL5eRvVrhepFK2yaqsHRYqwn08QepgZfsj2Lyypda57uZD2dLwtki1CUrBfIBguj0eb7Tl04n_cZYJ-OQ80_oPopUchm8w8iGjr9U1hf/s1600/IMG_1277.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690841042619812498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjYybw1lCAMZptjoijQHShBEBLmcbvRxI4bB-lCL5eRvVrhepFK2yaqsHRYqwn08QepgZfsj2Lyypda57uZD2dLwtki1CUrBfIBguj0eb7Tl04n_cZYJ-OQ80_oPopUchm8w8iGjr9U1hf/s400/IMG_1277.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a>The Pylon atop the Monument Dedicated to The First Engineer Special Brigade Memorial and the Service Units that landed on Utah Beach , on H Hour, D Day, on June 6th, 1944.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasSHMOCYJkPJjOnWZD3led98eaQT6lpvaXMLGUoSD6ne2LbQwFXGVREmH5jx__vcGfEUruWObxYDaCNuaUDthKCrolz6rA1eFDU3TzHVgXRc7ccwbEPi7_qpHixE6n8gyU7IUQAdOm3Ai/s1600/IMG_1276.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690840896232230594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhasSHMOCYJkPJjOnWZD3led98eaQT6lpvaXMLGUoSD6ne2LbQwFXGVREmH5jx__vcGfEUruWObxYDaCNuaUDthKCrolz6rA1eFDU3TzHVgXRc7ccwbEPi7_qpHixE6n8gyU7IUQAdOm3Ai/s400/IMG_1276.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a>The front of the Monument on Utah Beach with the Engraved, Bronze, Dedication, Plate, to those lost from the Service Units that are listed in the previous Picture.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai589gwrNw305iJVsWREuUbPGpvI6k7PjQvQg2FJZWTD1_EjKUJeXaGH0HaX0B-FVCZVnGu_dzEX8G36gAqBS1EP-OIAA6OLtHfEUObs-8cwacspLexk52a0gK7OgIcKbcRgaogFXTBEM/s1600/IMG_1275.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690840756119529074" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiai589gwrNw305iJVsWREuUbPGpvI6k7PjQvQg2FJZWTD1_EjKUJeXaGH0HaX0B-FVCZVnGu_dzEX8G36gAqBS1EP-OIAA6OLtHfEUObs-8cwacspLexk52a0gK7OgIcKbcRgaogFXTBEM/s400/IMG_1275.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a>A Studio Picture, only not enough contrast to give you an idea how </div>
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good looking I could have been.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmb3HMQIooOb4UUi2DzmHdpC4k6-Pl_S74GQoTvecSsOSz91CQE2HNEpW8mv6zesAhW_D2cixFB96dsZG2Ld77dCo7lurgcWWYXRyh3_Qnv81xjVNJJRjkddQ1TGvWnWJl9e99ioU9Kb7/s1600/IMG_1274.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690840626500344898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinmb3HMQIooOb4UUi2DzmHdpC4k6-Pl_S74GQoTvecSsOSz91CQE2HNEpW8mv6zesAhW_D2cixFB96dsZG2Ld77dCo7lurgcWWYXRyh3_Qnv81xjVNJJRjkddQ1TGvWnWJl9e99ioU9Kb7/s400/IMG_1274.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a></div>
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Standing in the back, on the left is Portnoy, Center, is Schultsy, </div>
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Sorry ....Know who the one on the right is, like I know my own name, </div>
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but can't recall right now.. It'll come to me!</div>
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In the front row, Okie on the left and West Virginia on the right.</div>
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Ginny, was from Wheeling, West Virginia, and sharp as a tack.</div>
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All Good Soldiers, to have at your side.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtvdQ1WFGr3HEtZWskmApIu37PDXt0_J2WCk2jCGtrUl_yDCQerPfDc1SuyY_0wjqPhtoTBR6xgn9OtP8gqWtlZ92k7Sfn3XZIU3uXCC7IXk3XoXSqVAGP_JytSj-Jp7Oiv_89cvYP0i1/s1600/IMG_1271.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690840521766272530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtvdQ1WFGr3HEtZWskmApIu37PDXt0_J2WCk2jCGtrUl_yDCQerPfDc1SuyY_0wjqPhtoTBR6xgn9OtP8gqWtlZ92k7Sfn3XZIU3uXCC7IXk3XoXSqVAGP_JytSj-Jp7Oiv_89cvYP0i1/s400/IMG_1271.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a>The Two grinning Savages in front of the destroyed Pillbox, facing the Channel on</div>
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Utah Beach are, Solomon Fein, Sgt.Finnegan on the left </div>
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and George E. Gable, Sgt. Okie on the right side of the picture.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkclClAw_n9Vm6yKaJwk2Ti88wZ65gzXsH-62u6wmERhE1226NrxtQ9t_Q64h8-1aeLUDfCO3jHAsZddRDOy260WVM70Mm5gtsqvU_padHCp2o_fd3uNKNOpbLhQi035ekH_QG4fYydgw/s1600/IMG_1265.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690840403120772898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkclClAw_n9Vm6yKaJwk2Ti88wZ65gzXsH-62u6wmERhE1226NrxtQ9t_Q64h8-1aeLUDfCO3jHAsZddRDOy260WVM70Mm5gtsqvU_padHCp2o_fd3uNKNOpbLhQi035ekH_QG4fYydgw/s400/IMG_1265.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a><br />
Private First Class Anglin, from Peoria, Illinois standing in front of the 301st Company Jeep</div>
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when we got to Cherbourg, France....Finally, Housed With Bunk Beds and Mattresses, months after the Assault on Utah.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndWLA08gVHUVX0AMMYHBd2V2SI0HNRBHwya-uxLH_htxYtMd9-q08vvWrC9upSyA_1iAGddwEoEm6wrjO7XvqfzIV4u8-WV4UWstpX7lSW7Z0TpnIfMwaaR2uxYwpRNDZMbxKtaYoxhN0/s1600/IMG_1262.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690840280885329522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndWLA08gVHUVX0AMMYHBd2V2SI0HNRBHwya-uxLH_htxYtMd9-q08vvWrC9upSyA_1iAGddwEoEm6wrjO7XvqfzIV4u8-WV4UWstpX7lSW7Z0TpnIfMwaaR2uxYwpRNDZMbxKtaYoxhN0/s400/IMG_1262.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a>Okie on the right,and I sitting on our travel gear before we departed on </div>
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one of our Train Duties, guarding 40 and eighters, with special cargos, </div>
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into the freight yards, outside of Paris.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6C6SSLb-JdrSgUnPVoea3nVr8d4m3q82t1dIxdV6YSSuoH_1ccRYrWq57t9zLaFsBzRVgzHY9TYeN_xQb8UMcJcKG7ov-p2BkizQ2xepofyI69pkw11diAO41fF0sPftdIwhMLJ7DsOJ/s1600/IMG_1257.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690840160053483362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU6C6SSLb-JdrSgUnPVoea3nVr8d4m3q82t1dIxdV6YSSuoH_1ccRYrWq57t9zLaFsBzRVgzHY9TYeN_xQb8UMcJcKG7ov-p2BkizQ2xepofyI69pkw11diAO41fF0sPftdIwhMLJ7DsOJ/s400/IMG_1257.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a><br />
First Sergeant Harte, of the 301st Port Company...All 6 foot seven of him.</div>
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He and I, Jeeped from Cherbourg, to Liege, to visit my</div>
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brother, Moishe, in the Hospital when he got Trench Foot, serving with the</div>
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80th Infantry Division, at Bastone.</div>
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The shoulder patch insignia with the machine gun carried by an Eagle,</div>
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is the Amphibious Engineer official symbol.</div>
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The Seahorse symbol was worn on our First Class Uniform under the right </div>
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pocket of our Eisenhower Jacket .</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgPOCINDOlSMhOHUrDwc4NPJ5TNk0G8C4rKgLV_QpIAInYe4fVLCkc94CWj0dc8-DPXKPSJZSZPL3BnrQdLIn_acBUdgimbQf2kHETxdqW2rGtoTra2_JEWiinizrjR750VgcZFeuvv5_/s1600/IMG_1256.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690839584196150274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmgPOCINDOlSMhOHUrDwc4NPJ5TNk0G8C4rKgLV_QpIAInYe4fVLCkc94CWj0dc8-DPXKPSJZSZPL3BnrQdLIn_acBUdgimbQf2kHETxdqW2rGtoTra2_JEWiinizrjR750VgcZFeuvv5_/s400/IMG_1256.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 299px;" /></a>You can really appreciate the size of a "pillbox", when you see one with with a dozen men</div>
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surrounding the area around one destroyed on the Beach.</div>
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I recognize a few of the men, by their posture and their attitude standing there.</div>
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A few by the hair comb and facial shape and contours, but I would be guessing,</div>
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except for the man on the bottom right, is Bob Marcott from Oak Park Ill.</div>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-73885351338714085152012-06-07T13:44:00.000-04:002012-06-07T13:44:07.939-04:00OMB: Merry Christmas To All Servicemen and WomenMy very best wishes to all the Servicemen and women on their homecoming<br />
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from abroad this day.</div>
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My very Best wishes to all the Servicemen and women who will be coming </div>
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home in the very near future..</div>
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My very Best wishes to All Servicemen and women, who are in the States and</div>
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are not home yet.</div>
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If you've made it home, I pray you will remember, where you were </div>
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and how you got there.</div>
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Most of all...Remember those who will never come home.</div>
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<br /></div>
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MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL </div>
solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-77934465053497787892012-06-07T13:43:00.000-04:002012-06-07T13:43:19.187-04:00Oldest Military Blogger Resurrection Woodstock & Phil OchsThe first time I heard the term, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woodstock">Woodstock,</a><br />
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was the first week in August, 1969.</div>
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Vacationing in the Concord Hotel area</div>
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with my Family, in upstate New York,</div>
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with intense traffic conditions prevailing,</div>
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we were taken by surprise.</div>
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My teen Daughter asked my wife and I</div>
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about attending the Woodstock Festival</div>
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with a friend whose Father would take </div>
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them and bring them back...</div>
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We were very happy to approve this request</div>
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because White Lake, was only a 15 minute</div>
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ride from where we were staying.</div>
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Little did I know, that I would be pressed into </div>
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an Heroic role, to rescue them, when the rains</div>
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came </div>
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Today, I still get the repercussions of The</div>
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Woodstock Festival and the Performers</div>
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who made a profound impression on America's</div>
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Future...</div>
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One such Performer was Phil Ochs, with a </div>
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rendition of a song called,</div>
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What are We Fighting For".</div>
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An expression of his personal feeling about </div>
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the Viet Nam "engagement", in its early</div>
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years.</div>
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In January of 2011, Phil Ochs was given a</div>
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Posthumous celebration of his Artistry</div>
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in New York City.</div>
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The Celebration included,<a href="http://www.philochsthemovie.com%2C/"> movies</a> and Entertainers</div>
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who sang his stuff and Film of Phil, his Music </div>
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and Lyrics.</div>
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"I Aint Marchin Any More" was Featured</div>
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in the Films. </div>
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Fascinating lyrics of the Artist, Phil Ochs, </div>
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in his short 30 years of life, produced the following...</div>
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I Aint Marching Any More.</div>
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Oh, I marched to the Battle of New</div>
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Orleans at the end of the Early</div>
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British Wars.</div>
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This Young Land started Growin,</div>
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This Young Blood started Flowin.</div>
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I Aint Marchin Any More.</div>
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It's Always the Old Who lead to War,</div>
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It's Always the Young to Fall.</div>
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Now look at all we've won </div>
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with the Saber and the Gun, tell me,</div>
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Is It Worth, At All....</div>
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For I Stole California from Mexican Land</div>
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Fought in a Bloody Civil War.</div>
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Yes, I killed my Brothers and Many Others.</div>
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I Aint Marchin Any More.</div>
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For I Marched to the Battles of </div>
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The German Trench, in a War bound</div>
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to End All Wars.</div>
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Well I must have Killed a Million Men,</div>
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Now They Want Me Back Again,</div>
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I Aint Marchin Any More.</div>
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Well I Flew The Final Mission</div>
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in Japanese Skies,</div>
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Set Off The Mushroom Roar.</div>
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When I Saw the Cities Burnin</div>
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I Knew I was Learnin.</div>
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I Aint Marchin Any More.</div>
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Now the Labor Leaders Screaming</div>
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when they Close a Missile Plant.</div>
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United Fruit Screams at Cuban</div>
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Shores.</div>
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Call it Peace or Call it Treason,</div>
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Call it Love or Call it Reason</div>
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I Aint Marchin Any More.</div>
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I Aint Marchin Any More. </div>
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Today is my 89th Birthday..and</div>
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it is my privilege to close with </div>
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the following Thoughts.</div>
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The 1930 Movie,<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Front_(World_War_I)">"All Quiet On The Western Front</a>"</div>
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is a WW l Film.</div>
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This Movie won the 1930 Academy award for</div>
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Best Picture of the Year.</div>
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It also has a Foreword before the start of this</div>
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Heralded feature, which I repeat here.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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"This story is neither an accusation nor</div>
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a confession and least of all, an adventure,</div>
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...for Death is not an adventure to those</div>
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who stand,face to face with it.</div>
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It will try simply to tell of a generation</div>
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of Men, who, even though they have</div>
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survived and escaped its shelling,</div>
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were Destroyed by The War."</div>
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I use these endearing snippets to make </div>
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my world known to those who read me.</div>
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These snippets may give you the idea </div>
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that I am Anti War.</div>
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Well!</div>
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You Might be Absolutely, Correct.!</div>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-25842576448396432752012-06-07T13:40:00.000-04:002012-06-07T13:40:13.853-04:00Oldest Military Blogger Remembrance Day 11/11/11<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Five years ago, I opened my Blog without the slightest idea where it would take me. I posted something "provocative", at the behest of my daughter Elaine, in hopes of my receiving a response, for my getting encouragement.</span><br />
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In my mind's eye, I had feelings about flying Our Flag at half mast every day of the week, as long as our Service men and women were at War or engaged, in an action that put our Forces at risk.</div>
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I Posted same and was pleased, that it introduced my Military experience, as a basis for the equation of publishing what I intended originally.</div>
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Today is Remembrance Day in America.</div>
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The United States of America recognizes today, November 11, 2011 as, The Day of Recognition, of the Servicemen and Women of our Armed Forces, who Died while Serving America.</div>
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The entire Country will be Flying Old Glory At Half Mast, and every U.S.Diplomatic Outpost in the World, will follow suit..... Today.</div>
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Yet my thoughts are also about Tomorrow.</div>
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Remembrance Day has Come and Gone.</div>
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When will we remember those that fall on Saturday, November 12, 2011, and the Days After Remembrance Day?</div>
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Which brings me to today's Posting of an anonymous piece, sent to me by a Great Canadian Friend, who really "knows how to push my buttons".</div>
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A Soldier Died Today.</div>
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<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was getting old and paunchy </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And his hair was falling fast, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> And he sat around the Legion, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Telling stories of the past. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Of a war that he once fought in </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the deeds that he had done, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">In his exploits with his buddies; </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">They were heroes, every one. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">His tales became a joke, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">All his buddies listened quietly </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For they knew where of he spoke. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But we'll hear his tales no longer, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For ol' Joe has passed away, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the world's a little poorer </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For a Soldier died today. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He won't be mourned by many, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just his children and his wife. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For he lived an ordinary, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Very quiet sort of life. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He held a job and raised a family, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Going quietly on his way; </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the world won't note his passing, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">'Tho a Soldier died today. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">When politicians leave this earth, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Their bodies lie in state, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">While thousands note their passing, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And proclaim that they were great. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Papers tell of their life stories </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">From the time that they were young </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But the passing of a Soldier </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goes unnoticed, and unsung. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is the greatest contribution </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">To the welfare of our land, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Some jerk who breaks his promise, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And cons his fellow man? </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or the ordinary fellow </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who in times of war and strife, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Goes off to serve his country </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And offers up his life? </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">The politician's stipend </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And the style in which he lives, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are often disproportionate, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">To the service that he gives. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">While the ordinary Soldier, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who offered up his all, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is paid off with a medal </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And perhaps a pension, small.. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It's so easy to forget them, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For it is so many times </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That our Joes and Jims and Johnnys, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Went to battle, but we know, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is not the politicians </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">With their compromise and ploys, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who won for us the freedom </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That our country now enjoys. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Should you find yourself in danger, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">With your enemies at hand, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would you really want some cop-out, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">With his ever waffling stand? </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Or would you want a Soldier-- </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">His home, his country, his kin, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Just a common Soldier, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who would fight until the end. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">He was just a common Soldier, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">And his ranks are growing thin, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">But his presence should remind us </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We may need his like again. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">For when countries are in conflict, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">We find the Soldier's part </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is to clean up all the troubles </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">That the politicians start. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">If we cannot do him honor </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">While he's here to hear the praise, </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Then at least let's give him homage </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">At the ending of his days. </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Perhaps just a simple headline </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> In the paper that might say: </pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,</pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;">A Soldier Died Today. </pre>
<pre><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span">
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<pre><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Why should we not fly our flag at half mast every day when our Servicemen</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> are in jeopardy anywhere in the world?</span></span></b></pre>
<pre><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>We have Servicemen,in every major country ln every Continent in the World.</b></span></span></pre>
<pre><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Let's Remember Them, NOW.....</b></span></span></pre>
<pre><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>AND.....</b></span></span></pre>
<pre><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Let's Bring Them All Home, Safely. </b></span></span></pre>
<pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </pre>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-76744514500204934872012-06-07T13:39:00.002-04:002012-06-07T13:39:56.912-04:00Oldest Military Blogger /Secret SEALs<div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;">United States Congressman Charlie Wilson found a way in 2007 to use American Taxpayer Dollars to help the mujaheddin in Afghanistan to defeat the Russians.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Suddenly, the Taliban becomes an American enemy and we confront them in Afghanistan. We try to help to establish a workable Government using “moderate Taliban citizens” to keep the peace until we withdraw. </span>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Taliban are now financed by Anti-American forces and also,some of the stuff we gave them to knock out Soviet Copters.</span>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Congressman Charlie Wilson, who later paraphrased “whenever a plane goes down, I always fear it is one of our missiles. I feel guilty about that...I really do”.</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The secrecy of the U.S.Navy S.E.A.L.s (Sea, Air and Land) was made known to me by author Tom Clancy, in my estimation a brilliant, talented fiction writer, who introduced me to, John T. Kelly, Chief Boatswain Mate, U.S. Navy SEAL.,in his 1993 book,”Without Remorse” .</span>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To be a member of the SEAL Service, one must be so secret, that even his immediate family is restricted from that knowledge ..</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The recent accolades, paid to the SEALs in their Osama Bin Laden episode, were remarkably</span>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">presented in the Media when it was released, by some sanctioned, official section of authority</span>
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">in Washington......I Guess....I hope, that is the way our Information about secret exploits of our troops are handled......</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Chinook Helicopter downing was a terrible loss to American Forces and Domestic Citizenry, </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">everywhere.......However....My contention, is with the questionable release of the information about the presence of Navy SEALs aboard the Aircraft ... The mere fact, that the Taliban, immediately claimed complicity in the destruction of the cumbersome vehicle, was abhorrent to many.</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Something is definitely wrong with some important, unanswered, questions ! </span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Navy Forces going to help Army Rangers in the Desert and mountainous areas of Afghanistan???</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What happened to the Rangers when their help did not arrive???</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How many Service personnel were aboard the Chinook that had </span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">a limited capacity of 35, including the 3 </span>crewmen???</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Who authorized the release of the 17 SEAL Casualties to the Media???</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If you think I’ve left something out, besides my sorrow of it all....let me know.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">
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<div style="background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;">
<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> the propagation of</span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ideas which he disbelieves </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span"><span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical.”</span>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-9264835884075943272012-06-07T13:39:00.001-04:002012-06-07T13:39:34.549-04:00Oldest Military Blogger Posts Pictures<div>
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Today I want to respond to my readers with some pictures of my service during World War II. Up until today, I had no knowledge of how to post these photos. You will all be happy to know that today that episode has been completed successfully.</div>
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Signed,</div>
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Finnegan</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624531473847312850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Qad9N0-cwLMMr-2BBIWKlWfJHw_oU8ByRWRkmTpbHHZO70z0IowfMCIsfrz8Ciqdpg2eN5LEeSuXWUVwVZ_gEUZGEqaMDm6nfzrHij3Zq7AU8Eoy0lyaj0uB2yRSadfEglXuSY369YXn/s320/guitars+and+cigarettes.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 256px;" /> Forced to smile under the gun. Howard Portnoy and I with two guitars we purchased with cigarettes from a lady in Ghent.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624531871131285506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEpG_jYtaW6qkvvvbbV5dhs7OdQroyrTdb-Jga3an-OZVkc1FJECRgbocIQbxxmE6GAd6rWiZNAzbF4ffTk1wADjzpp-7AmTrGeomeNA2HnDry5KPQGQLem6SiGVmeo_4cv2Nxq9PHko0/s320/lady+in+ghent.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 224px;" /></div>
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Lady in Ghent, Belgium and Ozone Park, L.I. Comedian, Polachski...<br />
Who is that good looking soldier on the left side of the picture.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624532081650615090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKjvsn0H_G1wAuxEQ6WZD-YQU05sI0wS9XbZ1GQYTuE_pxVnM4LnLHFM0gAvHLQD9QCGJ2gWMY_CeppQ2YmNqThB7fxEsQaHF_Zo_fHh7uehoiOGmejOS1oAFgomgsC_Qy-12bFWYM3VYS/s320/Polachski+and+Sol.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 262px;" /></div>
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Polachski and I in Ghent, Belgium, June, 1945.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624532791932926146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSqnHYYSAvSkCxZYflxjS7TLpCHORK7Y0nmq3-9fDZy0i7mcfCX3be6EEIqvtLNysHZq_djmP20t6niJb99eJhWo0hAMCKwBJcmszUaD2sEoKke85F9ttSHiLX7m6npw2awyqX1tqjOLr/s320/Cadre+at+Indiantown+Gap%252C+PA.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 208px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div>
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Cadre of the 301st port Company at Indiantown Gap, P.A. The only one I remember is the guy on the left, in the back row.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624532974756019634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTHE5AlW0I8p5ZkcHL207vuLcL7cqVLlJCgDazBz_S8byoq8FFWzRb4bx2jJOEv0FDAk3C-8Rzx4Ej17hk0a1WPfYnktuawibZjbH-bszGA-gb8iRNY__pgclWGjEjj-PojQGRPa2D9gYQ/s320/the+infamous+company+clerk+on+Utah+Beach.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 259px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></div>
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The Infamous Company Clerk on Utah Beach. The Seahorse insignia on the monument is no longer in use. Originally issued to Combat Engineers and Beach Masters, it was worn on Class A uniforms and attached to the left front pocket of an Eisenhower Jacket.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624531705961732178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq1uShLjAsgcdYUmnCkyf3ccf4Upn6fJtavJ5g3vDpX_DLg6RY_K8rc5nZk-XI7t4_53RKDWrJ4_Rjr7N-cNbjII9ysf3QnO7m64tyKqef69_OgZ4dImW6TagZ3gw8plI0mGtbpIQuN1Fa/s320/496+headquarters.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 218px;" /></div>
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I got a choice of a Court Martial or Company Punishment in this outfit after I was AWOL and got the nickname Finnegan. I had chosen Company Punishment and later, I was transferred out to a Cook and Bakers unit, going overseas in one week. </div>
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The Cook and Bakers unit was reorganized as a Cadre for the 518 Port Battalion. I became a member of the 301st Cadre and the name of Finnegan fit me like a glove .</div>
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I waved goodbye to my old outfit, as they shipped out to the South Pacific when the 301st, was just, three weeks old. </div>
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They say, a picture is worth a thousand words but in this case I have more than another 1000</div>
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words to tell the story of this 496th Port Battalion, photo.</div>
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<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624533590654541490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZzvbWPsNpyY7xecI7U7gtfYQOVLjpmmOu6ly_D4Xr3r-NqN6b5lZ-xpV922FfisCyYAyI03BtkyaODwGiwU75b-WEH6rkmi23neG1U_VWWYyKmP2RFzX_cLdi7a3mmRuQobWSjUQJTRxw/s320/lookout.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 320px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 210px;" /></div>
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Me, on top of a Bunker on Utah Beach.</div>
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Bob Cary and Robert Marcott.</div>
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Two men from Oak Park, IL. , </div>
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A Chicago suburb. They</div>
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slowly turn into the,</div>
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two wildest guys on Utah Beach.</div>
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solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-45949244389451949652012-06-07T13:39:00.000-04:002012-06-07T13:39:13.224-04:00Oldest Military Blogger D Day DelayOldest Military Blogger D Day Delay<br />
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D Day on The S.S.George E. Pickett<br />
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Today is the 67th anniversary of the Normandy Landings.<br />
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Oh yes. They knew we were coming. The 82nd Airborne had been dropped the day before. They fought their way back to the beach.They did not know that the landings would be delayed because of a little bad weather. I'll bet they were outraged beyond anything I could imagine, wondering how they were supposed to hold their objectives without the backup they had been promised, to be, "right behind them." <br />
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Waiting for the sound of bugles signifying that the Cavalry, was en route, to the rescue.<br />
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To say the least,they were upset. They were tired. They were lucky.<br />
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Let me explain where I'm going with this.<br />
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People get killed in wars.<br />
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Soldiers get killed in war.<br />
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We are not trained to see the whole picture.<br />
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Our superior officers tell us that we are a small link in the whole chain ,of what the fighting is all about. Don't get negative thoughts regarding your orders.Why are we going to do this, this way, when it seems so much easier, to do it, that way? It's not exactly like they issue a rain check, to some outdoor activity and everyone is inconvenienced for a few days.<br />
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This activity has men's lives in the balance.We should not have delayed the landings and sacrificed those men of the 82nd,101st, without a chance of relief as they expected.Somehow I suspect that the delayed landings came about because of some bad intelligence, at the last moments of this operation.<br />
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I suppose the early jumpers were told to hold their objective and we would get to them as soon as we can.<br />
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Just as these Divisions carried out their orders without question, we would have done the same and gone ashore on the 5th, in the storm, because we were trained to respond to our orders without question and, because we were immortal.<br />
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Men who have never been in a combat situation may think about death, but not about their own.<br />
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You cannot realize or perceive your own death.That only happens to someone else.<br />
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Combat changes that.<br />
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One day you understand.<br />
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A guy could get killed out here.<br />
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When you've seen enough bodies of friends or enemies, you stop running for cover when there is shelling from 88s. You get scared of getting out of your foxhole because one of your skittish neighbors is quick on the trigger.You start thinking a little differently.Your existence depends on how good the guy next to you in the field is. He and the others who are still alive, start thinking pretty much the same way. Don't worry about yourself so much, just watch out for your fellowmen, because they are the only thing that is keeping you alive.<br />
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Here we are, more than 67 years after this event and I defy you to tell me how many casualties the pre-D day invaders suffered. I'm sure that this figure is best kept with the overall population of American and Allied losses.<br />
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---------solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-34205342534858537262012-06-07T13:38:00.002-04:002012-06-07T13:38:52.656-04:00Oldest Military Blogger D Day First LightOldest Military Blogger D Day.First Light.<br />
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D Day. First light revealed, an LCT nestled up against the S.S.Pickett on the port side, amidships, next to the No.2 hatch. No.2 is the largest hatch on a Liberty ship and contained the heaviest units. The booms on No.2 are rated for 50 tonnes, so the order was to place our tank cargo aboard the LCT along side. The Landing Craft Tank, can deliver its freight by dropping its ramp like bow, right on the beach and tanks are driven off, each with its own driver,one after the other.During the loading process we were taking fire from shore and the bridge of the LCT was hit by an 88 shell from a German gun.We found out later that a Naval Lt .on the bridge was decapitated. The crew was replaced and the LCT cast off,beach bound.The empty spot was taken immediately by another vessel.The action on the starboard side was used for offloading, fuel, ammo and Infantry into LCVPs. (Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel). The SS Morgan went down by the stern, 200 yards off our port side. The daylight increased and it got lighter. My outfit went ashore via an LCVP piloted by a coxswain who was out in the open, at all times. He brought us safely to the beach without incident, then he dropped the ramp, and we debarked in waist deep water. As soon as we were ashore, he backed off the beach to get another load. We had landed on Utah beach.Ten hours later, I returned to the Pickett to help finish unloading the ship and get our gear. The Naval bombardment destroyed almost every fortification on shore.The Atlantic Wall where we landed, was a myth. Fortunately for my outfit, we were put ashore 1000 yards northwest of our initially assigned area, and it was very lightly defended.<br />
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There is a Film called "A Walk in the Sun", with Dana Andrews and John Ireland to name a few of the stars,that comes to mind. John Ireland, mentally writes letters to his sister, about his well being after the invasion of an island off Italy. All through the movie, he writes or narrates letters to her, optimistically not knowing, if they will ever be read .<br />
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Their mission is to take a well fortified farm house which is serving as an observation post. Completing their assignment, after a huge loss of life, we see,John Ireland's character under a shade tree, paper and pencil in hand, he grimly muses about the contents of a letter to his sister <br />
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"Dear Sis, Today we took a farm house. It was so easy."<br />
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---------solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7742362900372122352.post-41588587809439120052012-06-07T13:38:00.001-04:002012-06-07T13:38:34.756-04:00Oldest Military Blogger 5 Days Before D DayOldest Military Blogger 5 Days before D Day.<br />
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D Day Minus 5 days<br />
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I left England on June 1,1944 on the Liberty ship, SS George E. Pickett. This was the third dry run we thought,so the speech we got before we went aboard, by some nameless General, was taken in stride.<br />
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After being under sail for 12 hours, we started to consider the possibility, of this being the real thing.The following day, still moving around in the Channel off the coast of Brest, more vessels joined our group.We kept moving together. A convoy without any visible Naval escort. We all stayed on deck as much as we could because it was extremely hot below.<br />
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All the hatches were covered but we finally found that our cargo was composed of Sherman tanks, Jeeps with trailers filled with gear, DUKWs piled high with rope cargo nets, two and a half ton trucks with canvas covers tied down and thousands of 5 gallon Jerry cans filled with gasoline and guys from the 90th Infantry<br />
at a loss as we were.<br />
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It turns out that the General with no name turned out to be Ike, who I wouldn't know from a hole in the ground, and later realized it was he, when his picture was in the Stars and Stripes.<br />
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This was no “dry run”.....This time, we knew, it was the real thing!<br />
Little did we know that we would spend 5 days<br />
aboard this vessel.solfinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00991688237639276804noreply@blogger.com2