[Castlebar]

I’m not saying he wasn’t an entertainer. I’m saying that if he took off his shirt and turned around one might well see a large yellow stripe. You see, I just think the man was the epitome of hypocrisy: he played tough, brave men but it was a lie. Not good enough for me.

As a young man, he applied for admission to Annapolis. When the U.S. enetered the war, he was 34 with 4 children.

Where do you get "the man was the epitome of hypocrisy: he played tough, brave men but it was a lie?"

When did he ever lie or mis-represent his military service, a la Gore or Kerry?

You do realize the difference between movies and reality, or do I assume too much?

[OldPossum]

When the U.S. enetered the war, he was 34 with 4 children.

He still could have served. He chose not to. You can look it up.

And as for that perception of the difference between movies and reality, I can tell the difference. I'm not too sure about the John Wayne fans.

[Vermont Lt]

I have gotten flames for this before, but here I go:

We need to keep the “greatest generation” in context. While there were lines at the Recruiters the day after Pearl Harbor, most soldiers entered service through the draft. Across my family there were nIne men of age during WWII. All served. One enlisted. The rest were drafted. They served honorably. But in conversations with them over the years, none of them was thrilled about going. And given a chance NOT to have to, they would have rather stayed home. They are heroes for what they DID do. But do not assume that because someone served it was all patriotic and hung ho.