From Massachusetts to Bastogne to California....63 years later

[magsnubby]

After reading TacoMalo's story about his friend Joe i decided to post this story.

I have a co-worker that's a big history buff. Especially military history. Mike has more history books than most libraries. One day he was talking to another co-worker, Reggie. I'm not sure how the subject came up but Reggie said his dad was killed around Christmas at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. He wasn't sure but he thought his dad was with the 101st Airborne. All his life he never knew much about his dad. All his mother had ever told him was his dad was killed at Bastogne. Mike asked him if he would like to learn something about what his dad and fellow soldiers had gone through, he had a few books on the Battle of the Bulge. Reggie acceppted Mike's offer.

Mike thought "THE BATTERED BASTARDS OF BASTOGNE" by George Koskimaki would be a good one because most of it is based on interviews with veterns of Bastogne. Mike was thumbing through the book and ran across a section titled "RETRIEVING FALLEN COMRADES". The first story was about Reggie's dad. Mike wasn't sure if he should take Reggie that book, or grab a differenf one. He decided to let Reggie make that decision.

Reggie read the story. He told Mike "Thank you. That's the most i've know about my dad my entire life."

I just thought it was amazing that 63 years later a son finally learned something about the father that he had never known.

 

[Tokugawa]

Good that Mike took the time and had the knowledge. I am sure it meant the world to Reggie. So many have so little idea of what our fathers and grandfathers went through to secure our liberty.

 

[KiltedClaymore]

my grandfather doesnt talk much bout his sevice in the Navy during WW2. Im a history fanatic, so when he rarely talks about it, i just eat it up.

 

[SoCalShooter]

My grandfather passed a couple of years ago. He was in the pacific on the Saratoga and present at teh bikini bomb tests Was awarded two purple hearts. I think that is why he never really talked about it. its good to know he got that info. Unfortunetly the history of what happened by the men who were there is quickly withering away.

 

[magsnubby]

My FIL was the same way. He was at Guadalcanal. He was in the final sweep through Japan after we nuked 'em. He very seldom talked about it. I had know him for years before he ever told me anything about the war. Then it was just little bits and pieces.

Not many of 'em left now.

 

[KiltedClaymore]

my grandad also got to stay for afew years in japan after the war for "cleanup". processing our returned POWs and such. he got to have an extended "vacation" because he wasnt married yet. he was an noncom on an LST. Manned a watchtower in the bow. he did give me his M-1 Carbine, in near mint condition. never touched it after he got back. loaned it to the local museum with the promise that a grandchild could retrive it. heck, i found the clip last time i was over cleaning his guns. still has the ammo brick he was given when he shipped out.

 

[4v50 Gary]

Those who see combat either talk about it to relieve themselves or clam up and let the wounds heal before they talk. Painful memories are stirred when one talks about losing one's buddies who are like brothers. Their healing process could take years and it may never happen. Happy is the warrior who doesn't have to fight.