Today...

[ShadyScott999]

The sun set on another soldier today. My grandfather died tonight at the age of 88. He was a Marine that served at Iowa Jima, Guadalcanal, Guam and midway. I feel like a sissy as he would call me for acting the way I am right now. Everyone raise a glass! Semper Fi! The world lost a fine man today.

 

[ljnowell]

I feel for you. I lost my grandfather a few weeks ago. Same type of man. Fought in WW2, 86 years old. THey were some tough old guys werent they? Remember what he stood for and what he taught you, it will make you a better man.

BTW, there is nothing sissy about feeling the way you do. I held up pretty good, until we sang his favorite song "Im coming home" in mass. The worst though was when the color guard played taps at the burial. There is only one reason to hear that, when a soldier is going home. Its heartbreaking.

 

[Chester32141]

I will remember him in my evening prayers ... Semper Fi!

 

[indoorsoccerfrea]

Thank you for your family's service. I am honored to pray for him.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

He was a Marine that served at Iowa Jima, Guadalcanal, Guam and Midway.

Wow.

A salute to him, and many thanks to him for helping secure our freedom. Treasure your memories of him, they don't make 'em like that any more.

I have a neighbor who drove a tank for Patton in WWII. He's always a joy to listen to.

 

[HeavenlySword]

Wow.

We owe him for our freedoms.

Yes, a fine man passed away today.

 

[esmith]

My grandfather was a marine who fought at Guadalcanal as well. He died in 92. Sounds like your grandfather was a true hero. Sorry for your loss.

 

[rat31465]

My Uncle made the landing at Normandy. He passed away a few years ago...Sorry to hear about your loss. Everday we lose more of the colorful bootstrap generation and the world is a lesser place for it.

 

[Larry Ashcraft]

I lost a neighbor a few years ago. He was the father of a good friend of mine, who taught me how to play baseball when I was a kid.

I only heard at the funeral that Earl was a WWII hero, a tailgunner in a "Flying Fortress" who was shot down over Germany and was a POW.

*Salute*

I only wish I had spent more time talking to those modern day heroes I knew.

 

[agd1953]

I'm half s*** faced in honor of your grandfather as we speak. I appriciate what he did for my freedom.

 

[yeti]

To fallen comrades, and absent friends!

 

[Gunfighter123]

God Bless him for fighting for our freedom. May he rest in peace.

 

[bang_bang]

If it wasn't for people like your grandfather, and those who lost their lives throughout WWII, there would be a lot of negative impact on the world as we know it. Most of us don't really think about what happened in 1940-1945, but the U.S. lost many of sons, brothers, and fathers fighting to protect us and people all over the world. We can't say thank you enough to those who are still with us, or even at all to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

My girlfriends great-grandpa is a WWII vet, served as part of the Island Hopping. 89 years old and still spirited like a 60 year old. Plays golf and bowls several games a week. I have a soft spot for that old man. He's as tuff as nails...

They don't make them like they used to...

 

[foghornl]

Condolences on losing your grandfather.

I'll raise a glass to him, with a big sweeping tip of the hat, and a "Thank You!" to his surviving counterparts.

 

[ssjones]

Sorry to hear about your grandfather. Sounds like him and my dad would have had a lot to talk about. I keep waiting for that call myself. He's 89, so far pretty healthy - walks/jobs more miles per week at the local gym than I do...
My dad is a retired SGM. 33 years in the Army. He fought in the Pacific, Korea and Vietnam with infantry units (26th Infantry). Amazingly, only a few shrapnel wounds and a loss of hearing to show for all of that.
The WWII guys are getting thin, god bless 'em.

 

[BADUNAME37]

He goes into my prayers right now. It's never to late (or early) to pray.

You are not a sissy. A man cries.

 

[Bailey Guns]

Thank God for men like your grandfather. As he guarded our freedoms he's now guarding the gates of Heaven.

Semper Fi.

 

[ultradoc]

I hope he was able to make it to Wash. D C to see the WWII memorial. God Bless him and I thank him for his service. You are in my prayers.

 

[HexHead]

Back in the 70s I dated this girl for several years who's dad was a combat engineer in the Army during WWII. He was a pretty big guy and the only thing he ever mentioned about his military service was when he was in a bar and there were Marines in it, he used to enjoy going up to them and calling them a bunch of pussies.

After he died several years ago, I came across his obituary and and found out about the 3 Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.

 

[Duke of Doubt]

They're lining up rank and file at the Pearly Gates these days. My grandfather is over 90, and served in the Aleutians and the Admiralties, among other scenic spots. Until recent years he denied it all, and claimed to have never left the States during the war. Didn't want my late grandmother to worry or the rest of the family to ask him about it all, I reckon.

Condolences on your loss, but as I say, he's in good company these days up there.

 

[CoRoMo]

Mightier men... we have not.

My eyes well and my face aches.

True heroes are far too few.

 

[qajaq59]

Sorry for your loss, and God bless him.

I was a kid while he was fighting in the Pacific, and believe me, we thought those guys were Top Shelf. And when the war was over the survivors came home and built this country into a great nation. That was quite a magnificent generation.

 

[Pulse]

Condolences from Switzerland.
and even if he did not directly serve my country, we still owe him parts of our Freedom!

 

[ShadyScott999]

Thanks to everyone for all the kind words. I turned 40 two weeks ago. There have been 2 deaths in the my family in the last month. Both WWII veterans.

My family has the mixed blessing of all living into their late 90's. My Great grandfather lived to 104. We also have the curse of Alzheimer's. My grandfather was one of the toughest men I have ever known. It was horrible to watch his decline as I did his father.

He was a man who never cursed in the presence of a female. He never met a stranger and would help anyone who was in need. He was a rifleman. He taught me and all my friends to shoot. He was better than me at 70 when I was in the military at 20.

These men are going fast. There will never be another generation like them. Learn what you can while you can.

 

[Rush]

Condolences for your loss.