Posted on 05/30/2011 8:12:22 AM PDT by onyx
Just beautiful, Lakeshark.
Very humbling.
God bless our troops!
Damned right.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2727132/posts?page=27#27
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2306/airbornelarge.gif
The G.I. in your photo looks remarkably like William Martin, of St.Clair Shores, Mi. He is the father of one of my friends. He was wounded and taken prisoner in the Battle of the Bulge. I know Martin is a common name, but it does resemble him.
That is supposed to be a Martin quote.
“The poster is a photograph of a dirty, scrappy, tough paratrooper, PFC Vernon Haught, of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, marching in the dead of that cold, snowy winter with a rucksack on his back. Going to reinforce the retreating American forces in Belgium. His expression leaves no doubt about his determination. He is moving out to go toe-to-toe with the enemy in Belgium. As you look at the poster, it strikes you that nowhere in this photograph do you see a parachute. And you and I both know there doesn’t have to be one — you simply know from the look: he’s Airborne.
Under the photo is a quote from PFC Martin, also of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, who during the battle asked a retreating tank destroyer commander, “Are you looking for a safe place?” When the tank commander answered yes, PFC Martin replied, “Well buddy just pull that vehicle behind me — I am the 82d Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going.” Imagine, an Airborne PFC telling a guy in a tank to follow him.”
—General Henry H. Shelton
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Remarks at the 60th Anniversary of the Airborne
Fort Benning, Georgia, April 13, 2000
Full speech
One more version:
Late on the night of December 23rd, Sergeant John Banister of the 14th Cavalry Group found himself meandering through the village of Provedroux, southwest of Vielsalm. He’d been separated from his unit during the wild retreat of the first days and joined up with Task Force Jones, defending the southern side of the Fortified Goose Egg. Now they were in retreat again. The Germans were closing in on the village from three sides. American vehicles were pulling out, and Banister was once again separated from his new unit, with no ride out.
A tank destroyer rolled by; somebody waved him aboard and Banister eagerly climbed on. They roared out of the burning town. Somebody told Banister that he was riding with Lieutenant Bill Rogers. “Who’s he?” Banister wanted to know. “Will Rogers’ son,” came the answer. It was a hell of a way to meet a celebrity.
An hour later they reached the main highway running west from Vielsalm. There they found a lone soldier digging a foxhole. Armed with bazooka and rifle, unshaven and filthy, he went about his business with a stoic nonchalance. They pulled up to him and stopped. He didn’t seem to care about the refugees. “If yer lookin for a safe place,” he said, “just pull that vehicle behind me. I’m the 82nd Airborne. This is as far as the bastards are going.”
The men on the tank destroyer hesitated. After the constant retreats of the last week, they didn’t have much fight left in them. But the paratrooper’s determination was infectious. “You heard the man,” declared Rogers. “Let’s set up for business!” Twenty minutes later, two truckloads of GIs joined their little roadblock. All through the night, men trickled in, and their defenses grew stronger.
Around that single paratrooper was formed the nucleus of a major strongpoint.
http://www.517prct.org/documents/82nd_airborne_poster/82nd_airborne_poster.htm
Thank You very much for your reply and clarification. Also, a great story. I am a WWII history buff and greatly appreciate our veterans. Both of my uncles served in the RAF, and my father tried to join, but they couldn’t take him due to an injury.
Every day is Memorial Day.
I had a friend that got me a Wild Bill Guarnere, signed copy, of his photograph, of the 506th parachuting into Europe. 
God bless the GIs!
Appreciate your remarks, and your thanks.
Tag Line altered a bit now.
A belated thank you, Mr Lakeshark, for your Memorial Day pictures ping. Your photos are beautiful, and your composition is quite good.
Wishing you a very pleasant summer.
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