Our Nation's "Greatest Generation"

[Bill Little]

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary, but more importantly, our Nation's Independence Day.

I have living family that was in *The Big One*.  This gentleman flew 35 missions in Europe and is still around to tell about it.  I am not so sure, given the present state of affairs that a task like that generation undertook could ever happen again in America.  I will never forget the sacrifice, many the ultimate sacrifice, that men and women of our great country have paid.  Some were family, some where friends, all were heroes!

I found this singularly exhilarating.  One survivor's story.

Big Bear

[Clancy Arnold]

Big Bear

Thanks!!

A typical great story, there are not many left to tell these stories.

Clancy

[peabody]

I am a believer that ALL who answered their Country's call are members of "the Greatest Generation"...and thanks for serving.

[Bill Gruby]

I am a believer that ALL who answered their Country's call are members of "the Greatest Generation"...and thanks for serving.

 Thank You Rich. Couldn't have said it better myself. Again you never cease to amaze me.

  "Billy G" 

[Ron Merrill]

Right on, Rich. ALL who served. Ron.

[proparc]

Thanks for that one Bill. My father was one of those "greatest generation people". The fact that we have the freedom to post, contribute, argue,whatever, was because of their willingness to sacrifice.

Everytime we go out to the field and hook up our lines, it is because of what they were willing to give.

[john e. holliday]

Thanks for the video Big Bear Bill.  My Dad said he had too many kids and a farm for WWI.  Then WWII started and he was told he was too old.  He served in what he said was the home gaurd.  I was born three days before Pearl Harbor.  By the way HAPPY LATE WEDDING ANNIVERSERY to you and the misses.

[Chuck Feldman]

Bill,   

I do not think you offended anyone. The respounce from Peabody just expanded the scope of your comment to include "all". Should not have upset you in my opinion. Did you by any chance watch the fireworks from the Hudson River? wow was that good.

Chuck

[Shultzie]

My father in law:
Robert A. Smith
Radio operator, two time B-17 Crash surviver...blessed with a good long life and still going strong.
Yes! Thanks...he too was one of the very very LUCKY ones who gave so much to soooooo many!
He will be 90 years old the 28th of this month.

[Greg McCoy]

My dad at the radio, B24, China, 14th AF, 308BG, 375B Sq.

St. Sgt. Philip B. McCoy

[Shultzie]

For clarity...let me reduce that photo a tad? 

[Randy Ryan]

"I am not so sure, given the present state of affairs that a task like that generation undertook could ever happen again in America."

How I fear you are correct Bill, God help us!

[Bill Little]

"I am not so sure, given the present state of affairs that a task like that generation undertook could ever happen again in America."

How I fear you are correct Bill, God help us!

Hi Brother Randy,

All who have served are due our Nation's undying respect, that is a no brainer.

But, no generation, across the board, in America, had to pay the price that WWII put on our country.  Rationing, women becoming riveters, doing without in many areas, were what everyone had to pay to some extent.  It affected the entire country, no one was really left out.  That hasn't happened before, or since, and will never be allowed to happen by America's society again.  That's all I will say on this! LOL!!

Bill Little

[Greg McCoy]

Hi Brother Randy,

All who have served are due our Nation's undying respect, that is a no brainer.

But, no generation, across the board, in America, had to pay the price that WWII put on our country.  Rationing, women becoming riveters, doing without in many areas, were what everyone had to pay to some extent.  It affected the entire country, no one was really left out.  That hasn't happened before, or since, and will never be allowed to happen by America's society again.  That's all I will say on this! LOL!!

Bill Little

Flying the "hump" was to transfer all the ammunition, fuel, and bombs needed for every mission, it was comparable to traveling  California to New York.

[Dennis Leonhardi]

Bill, you are absolutely correct.  Yes, many men went into service - my father and several uncles among them - and too many of those paid the ultimate price.  But that's just a part of the total picture.

The very fabric of our society was affected/changed.

Prior to Pearl Harbor, too many Americans thought we could live peacefully in "our own little world".  And I fear too many now want to return to that naivety.  How I wish I could sit some of that group down to talk with my Muslim friends here, who themselves fear Extremists living right here in the U.S. ...

And I fear it will be a cold day you-know-where before many of our current "me first" citizens will be willing to make the kinds of sacrifices that Greatest Generation  made!


Dennis
 

Hi Brother Randy,

All who have served are due our Nation's undying respect, that is a no brainer.

But, no generation, across the board, in America, had to pay the price that WWII put on our country.  Rationing, women becoming riveters, doing without in many areas, were what everyone had to pay to some extent.  It affected the entire country, no one was really left out.  That hasn't happened before, or since, and will never be allowed to happen by America's society again.  That's all I will say on this! LOL!!

Bill Little

[Bill Little]

Bill, you are absolutely correct.  Yes, many men went into service - my father and several uncles among them - and too many of those paid the ultimate price.  But that's just a part of the total picture.

The very fabric of our society was affected/changed.

Prior to Pearl Harbor, too many Americans thought we could live peacefully in "our own little world".  And I fear too many now want to return to that naivety.  How I wish I could sit some of that group down to talk with my Muslim friends here, who themselves fear Extremists living right here in the U.S. ...

And I fear it will be a cold day you-know-where before many of our current "me first" citizens will be willing to make the kinds of sacrifices that Greatest Generation  made!


Dennis
 

Hi Dennis,

It will be worse than a cold day in #@!! before the people you speak of would come CLOSE to making those kinds of sacrifices.  It would be the End Time!  You can bet the farm that in present day America, they would roll over and let things happen, believing that *Love conquers all*.   Be nice to *them* and they will be nice to us....... that has NEVER worked, and never will.  There is MUCH more going on in the USA and throughout the World, than the vast majority realize.  Not a *Dooms Dayer* here, I just have been paying close attention.

Back to model airplanes!

Mongo

[John Stiles]

I am a believer that ALL who answered their Country's call are members of "the Greatest Generation"...and thanks for serving.

I'm gonna haf'ta agree with that statement whole-heartedly! I have felt the pain of being called a baby-killer after Nam, and it equates with Baby-boomer; in my mind! So I refuse the baby-boomer tag they try to put on me. Thanks for saying that: "all who served their country should be added to the GREATEST GENERATION"