WWII Vets

[peabody]

Edith and I visited the World War II Museum on a recent visit to New Orleans.
It's a great place, and highlights the contributions of the Higgans Boat manufacturers, as well as having an active restoration of a PT boat.
Tom Hanks and Tom Brokaw are two that got everyone behind the place, and they deserve a lot of credit (as do others, I am sure).

It got me thinking about WWII vets.....my father was one, and I grew up thinking that almost every adult had served....

It occurred to me that the only surviving WWII vet that I know today is John D'Ottavio......all of the others have perished.

I received this list and went shopping, and delivered my "loot" to the local VA Home.....Google will point you to one near you, I wager.

In order to help the residents with items that are truly needed, please use the following list:
 
•   2GB Flash Drives
•   After Shave and Cologne
•   Batteries (New only)
o   AA & AAA
o   C & D
•   Body Wash
•   Diabetic Socks
•   DVD Players
•   Electric Razors
•   Fleece Blankets/Throws
•   Greeting Cards
•   Hair Brushes
•   Nail Polish Kit, Accessories, and Nail Polish
•   Perfume
•   Polish Remover
•   Phone Calling Cards
 
•   Pre-Electric Shave
•   Radios (Digital- AM/FM)/CD Players
•   Rain Ponchos for Outings
•   Seasonal Decoration for Residents’ Rooms
•   Slippers-non slip soles
•   Sunglasses
•   Sweatpants (M-XXXL Men and Women’s – New only)
•   TV Remotes
•   Tissues
•   Undershirts (M-XXXL – New only)
•   Underwear (Women’s packages 8-10)
•   Variety of Shoelaces
o (Color: white , black, brown)
•   Wal-Mart & Target Gift Cards
 
During the year, there are other needs as well that your cash donations can go to. Those include:
•   Second Wind Dreams
•   Sporting Events Tickets
•   Wheelchair Cup Holders
•   Pet Therapy
•   Newspapers & Magazines Subscriptions
•   Books of New Postage Stamps for Mailing Cards to Loved Ones (Prefer “Forever stamps”)


Have fun!

[Louis Keller, Jr.]

Great post. Very thoughtful. Being from New Orleans I can attest to your views. Also I became friends with one of the survivors of the Tuskegee Airmen, C.Moret. He is a proud worthy American and I felt honored to be in his company. Former C/l flyer to boot.
Good work.

[Brian Massey]

I recently attended the funeral of a friend's father. I had known him for awhile, every since he moved in with his son several years ago. It was only at the funeral that I learned of his WWII exploits. Amoung other things he had fought at the battle of the bulge. As many WWII vets, he never talked about it himself. Real heros.

Brian

[George]

My Dad was on PT boats and a PT Tender in the Phillipines during WW2. When I asked about his experiences, one of the battles he mentioned was the battle of Layte Gulf. I had no idea of the significance of that battle at the time, I was a kid.

George

[Hoss Cain]

Yes, those WWII vets are diminishing rapidly. One of my First Cousins recently passed on. He was in the Battle of the Bulge. His platoon was wiped out. he was hit early on and fell back into a trench, hole or whatever, and several others fell on top of him. The Germans run over the bodies and he felt the bayonets plunging into bodies on top of him. After dark he was able to crawl out and crawled mostly, hit in a shoulder and feet were frozen, he made it back to friendlies some 10+ miles away. He was 18 years old at that time.

Now I just received a Newsletter from my favorite Congressman, Ted Poe and he relays:

"We must remember that it's the warrior, not the preacher that gives us freedom of religion. It's the warrior, not the reporter that gives us freedom of speech. It's the warrior, not the judge that gives us the right to trial. It's the warrior, not the politician that gives us the right to vote. And, it's the warrior, not the professor that gives us LIBERTY"

[Brian Massey]

"We must remember that it's the warrior, not the preacher that gives us freedom of religion. It's the warrior, not the reporter that gives us freedom of speech. It's the warrior, not the judge that gives us the right to trial. It's the warrior, not the politician that gives us the right to vote. And, it's the warrior, not the professor that gives us LIBERTY"
[/quote]

Truer words have never been spoken!

Brian

[Joseph Patterson]

  I just saw this post and Rich what a great idea! Thank you. I am less than 13 miles from a VA home and will put your list to good use.
           Doug 

[John Leidle]

 If you guys get a chance to see the WW2 Memorial in DC its worth the trip. 
 John

[Douglas Ames]

It got me thinking about WWII vets.....my father was one, and I grew up thinking that almost every adult had served....

My Grandfather never served because he was a farmer with no sons, also he was in his mid 30's. You were either considered essential to the war effort or not qual. for the draft due to med. reasons. My other Grandfather was a WWI vet and in his 40's.
We still have an A&P mech. at A'A with 1942 seniority!! Started out on flying boats, was never drafted. He's 87 and still going strong in JFK. Needless to say he's No. 1 on the seniority list.

[Joshua Harel]

My father in law who is now 82 and living with us, is a WWII vet. He enlisted at age 15 (!) and fought against the Japanese. He does not share too many stories of his war experiences though.
Joshua