OFF TOPIC...99 Years ago

[JoeJust]

I am the last survivor of my family with any ties to the past.  Be patient, because I do have to share this with people that I have grown to love and admire.  My Father was an immigrant to this Nation in 1903. He, His mother and brother escaped a vendetta over their Father's murder. In the course of things my Father ran away from home and ended up in Detroit where he lived until 1917.  His Brother remained in the small town in upstate NY until 1917.  My father heard that if he joined he US Army he could get  his citizenship rather quickly.  His Brother also heard this and he joined the Army in Syracuse, NY by lying his age and was sent to the 2nd Division and eventually to France.  My father took flight training in Texas and he too was sent to France.  My father was shot down in 1918 and survived.  On this date, 6/6/18 Frank Just was killed in action at Belleau Wood, he was just 16 years old, having lied to get into the army. and is buried there. I have visited his grave at the bottom of the wooded hillside there. Frank died in 1918,   19years before I was born but his history and his sacrifice has had a lasting effect on me my whole life.  Today I share his death with all the young men, not only in 1918, but all those that died this date in 1944 in another part of France. I learned early in life that freedom is NOT FREE.  God give peace to the families that lost sons, Dads and husbands in trying to Free an imprisoned World. God bless pour Nation!
Thank you for allowing me this small favor.
Joe

[Bill Johnson]

Thanks for sharing some of your family story, Joe. Those were different times, when young men and women came to this country to be Americans with all the responsibilities as such. God bless them all.

[Terrence Durrill]

Thanks for sharing some of your family story, Joe. Those were different times, when young men and women came to this country to be Americans with all the responsibilities as such. God bless them all.

             It appears that times change ...... and not always for the better I'm afraid.          

[FLOYD CARTER]

When the US entered WWI, young men were lined up for blocks to join the army.

Pretty much the same thing happened just after the Pearl Harbor attack starting WWII. 

Young men were anxious to serve and defend our country.

What happened?  New recruits are hard to find.  Could this be due to the fact there is no declared war, or no specific enemy?

[Norm Faith Jr.]

When the US entered WWI, young men were lined up for blocks to join the army.

Pretty much the same thing happened just after the Pearl Harbor attack starting WWII. 

Young men were anxious to serve and defend our country.

What happened?  New recruits are hard to find.  Could this be due to the fact there is no declared war, or no specific enemy?

Cell phones, Computers and the social media. 

[pat king]

Joe,
Thanks for sharing!

All,
Remember that our military today are all volunteers! We still have young people that believe it is their duty to protect the nation.

Pat

[FLOYD CARTER]

From the Eugene (OR) Register-Guard, June 6, 2017;

         "Struggling to expand its ranks, the Army will triple the amount of bonuses it's paying this year to more than
          $380 million, including new incentives to woo reluctant soldiers to re-enlist....

         "Some soldiers could get $90,000 up front by committing to another four or more years......."

 
So much for patriotism, duty, etc., etc.  There's not much enthusiasm these days for military service.

I spent four years in the USAF during the Korean Conflict, only because the draft board was hot on my trail.  However, after my discharge, I allowed the US Government to pay for my college education under PL550 (the G.I. Bill).  So it was worth it for me.