Thread: Pearl Harbor

Dont wanna get involved in the above argument, just wanna show my respect for the guys (and girls) of the US that helped bail us English out in WWII and lost their lives because of it.

My dad was just old enough to enlist when this happened. His brother was two years older. Both went down and enlisted on Dec. 9th after hearing about Pearl Harbor on the radio. My dad joined the Airborne Artillery, his brother the Rangers. Both saw action in Europe. Dad came back un-harmed after 4 years, his brother came back minus an eye and a hand from injuries (but with a beautiful British bride ). Their uncle was a prisoner of war in Germany. My dad and his brother built their homes next door to each other, their uncle down the road. They were always together and I grew up on plenty of war stories.

Dad has been gone 25 years, his brother 15. I still think about their commitment, especially every December 7 th. I have worn my Dad's wings on a chain around my neck every day since he passed.

Bless you Dad.

Tony Miller

I have worn my Dad's wings on a chain around my neck every day since he passed.

Bless you Dad.

Tony,

A beautiful sentiment. While I singled out Pearl Harbor, I try to always remember those who fight for our freedoms, regardless of the war or the situation. I know in today's conflicts there are a lot of opinions on whether we should be fighiting or not. That is not what this thread is all about. Regardless of whether we agree with what is happening in the world today or not, it doesn't change what a family or friend feels when a loved one returns covered by a flag.

God bless those who volunteer to fight for us now, in the past, and in the future.

RT

I have worn my Dad's wings on a chain around my neck every day since he passed.

Bless you Dad.

That was really intense for me... and what a tribute. Thanks for sharing it.

Thanks guys. A bit intense for me too but I wanted to share a bit about the man that taught me to be a craftsman, the man that taught me values and the man that always did the right thing.

Remembering all of our soldiers is important whether you agree with the current war or not. They risk their lives daily so we can be here enjoying our lives and families. It makes me sad thinking that everyday someones son, daughter, father, etc.....won't be coming home because they believed in doing the right thing.

Tony

For Richard and Tony...

I am sure you are proud of your fathers. I have the utmost respect for them. Here is a thought for both of you to consider... everyone, for that matter.

As soon as the last person who has ever heard our voice dies, we are basically forgotten. We leave behind a marker of granite that only states when we started and finished life. Make sure that doesn't happen with your dads and other loved ones. Write all those stories down about them when you were growing up that you can. Put down who they were and what they were about. Get other family members to write, as well. Start an accurate genealogy for the family and pass it on to them.

It could be a family thing that could be celebrated, say, at Thanksgiving every year. Everyone contributes a favorite story about the other members of the family. Talk 'em out while it is being recorded on tape. Transcribe it later to the family records book. That kind of stuff.

Wouldn't you love to have read personal accounts about your great great grandfathers? Passing stories down by words alone are also forgotten and we, as individuals, literally become nothing more than hearsay. Not having much of a family myself, I know I will personally disappear like a fallen winter leaf a week after I am gone. That is, unless you guys who have my CD take good care of them...

Y'know, I don't know a single thing about my natural father other than he worked for the railroad in SLC and he is buried in the Catholic section of the Mormon cemetary. Family members that I finally tracked down in Utah don't even remember what he died from.

Sorry for the tangent... Back to the issue and the point of the thread. I think most of us took a moment to reflect on the importance that Pearl Harbor had in the history of these United States... and that's a good thing.

It is amazing that most of us don't feel we need to know about our ancestors until we start to age. And then it is almost always too late to find out very much.

Originally Posted by urleebird

For Richard and Tony...

I am sure you are proud of your fathers. I have the utmost respect for them. Here is a thought for both of you to consider... everyone, for that matter.

It could be a family thing that could be celebrated, say, at Thanksgiving every year. Everyone contributes a favorite story about the other members of the family. Talk 'em out while it is being recorded on tape. Transcribe it later to the family records book. That kind of stuff.
Wouldn't you love to have read personal accounts about your great great grandfathers? Passing stories down by words alone are also forgotten and we, as individuals, literally become nothing more than hearsay. Not having much of a family myself, I know I will personally disappear like a fallen winter leaf a week after I am gone. That is, unless you guys who have my CD take good care of them...

What a nice idea Bill. My dad is pushing ninety now and has some wonderful stories that I am afraid will be lost some day. He was not at Pearl Harbor, but fought at El Alamein in the other theatre.