Posted on 05/26/2013 11:31:08 AM PDT by TheErnFormerlyKnownAsBig
Thank you veterans. Please post your branch of service, service years, and do the same for any relatives.
Because of the GI Bill, determined and bulldog-tenacious, Ray overcame dyslexia
and not only finished high school, but also a B. A. business degree from Temple
University (the Educational Ministry of his home church, Temple Baptist). He spent
the rest of his life with Jean, a fellow student who became his wife, and moved from
Philly to Delaware, serving in accounting at the Dupont Company. Strong in faith
both to The Corps and to The Lord, one outcome was that the Faith Bapist Church
of Wilmington had its first meetings in his and Jean's living room. That church grew
to have a large, stable membership, and four pastors. Gregarious and constantly
evangelistic, Ray and Jean adopted me as if I belonged to their family, for which
I've always been grateful.
Ray passed on to Glory a few years ago, and I suppose now fulfilling the prophecy of
the third verse of the Marines' Hymn. If you don't know what that is, look it up.
He experienced failure of the physical heart (malaria??) and body, but never the
spiritual one.
Semper Fi, Ray.
Grover "Don" Penn enlisted in the Marines from the CCC. After boot camp he
applied for the 1st Separate Bn under Col. Merritt Edson, training after the style of
British Commandos. Later his Bn was renamed "1st Raider Bn." Don fought on
Tulagi, then on Guadacanal he was in the forefront of the battle for Lunga Ridge
(also called Bloody Ridge, as well as Edson's Ridge), throwing grenades as fast as
possible, literally wearing out his right arm. After Guadalcanal these Raiders were
absorbed into 4MarDiv. At the end of his enlistment, Don received home leave,
then reenlisted, and with the 2MarDiv finished the war. Don was with the units
occupying Nagasaki after the surrender. Wounds, malaria, and following heart
disease almost killed Don; but he recovered, married and lived many years--a
blessing to his family, coworkers, and fellow servicemen of all branches.
Don was a great organizer and was for many years active in the DAV, becoming
State Commander. In his late years he was accepted into the Devil Dogs. He and
Violet opened their home to many friends whom, like myself, they made welcome
as if truly family at any time. A loyal, faithful, reliable friend to many both before,
in, and after his war service.
Semper Fi, valorous Raider of Tulagi and Matanikau!
Hayes Thompson, a cousin of Jean Parker and native of northern New York State,
entered the United States Navy in WWII. After boot camp, his bent for tinkering
and technical hobbies placed him in the--still premiere--Navy School of
Photography at Pensacola. From there he shot 16mm movies, and Speed Graphic
and 35mm stills all across the Pacific, recording Navy operations for analysis of
procedures, as well as for public relations. In the Okinawa invasion, the Navy took
serious personal injuries and deaths, and Hayes was twice wounded by
Worshippers of the Divine Wind (Kamikazis) in this invasion. He also landed on
Honshu after the surrender, photographing the A-bomb-levelled Nagasaki for the
record.
After the war Hayes spent many years as an OTR truck driver, mostly in lonely
hours, transporting new vehicles. Hayes also loved to relax, playing the old
melodies on his alto sax. Later in life with his wife Ethel at the organ keyboard,
he accepted many gigs to stimulate the nostalgic memories of the lovers of popular
songs from the forties and fifties. I met him, playing for folks at a nursing home,
and wormed my way into his favor by singing the lyrics for many of those songs
that I had learned verbatim as a child, then later performed as a Barbershop quartet
singer. He also recognized that the WWII veterans were my heroes, and invited me
to sing regularly with Ethel and himself. We had such a good time at his homes
(DE & FL) practicing, recording, eating, and just reminiscing. He also loved the Lord,
and had many encouraging Gospel hymns in his repertoire.
Hayes passed a few years ago, very quickly from aggressive stomach cancer.
In his last year, I had the thrilling experience of bringing Don, Vi, Hayes, and Ethel
together for a meal, and introduce Hayes and Don as having walked the bare streets
of Nagasaki in the very same days after the war. But what delightful pals they
were to me, just a little 9 year old kid when they strode as guards, weary, but
victors over all they surveyed. Which, in fact, was a lot of Nothing!--zip!--zero!
Anchors Aweigh, Hayes! See you in the streets of gold, by the River of Life flowing
from under the Throne!
Wilmot G. Turner, CWO (Ret.), graduated from high school in 1942, enlisted in the
Queen of Battles; and after Recruit School, was sent to Florida to keep Army records.
After the Japanese surrender, he was sent there for something the Army always
needs--clerical duties to keep them fed, housed, clothed, mounted, and above all -
armed! And everything has to be recorded and filed--morning reports, orders,
promotions, transfers, trip tickets, etc. Returning from the Far East, he negotiated
for a permanent position with the New York Army National Guard 27th Infantry Div,
Co. K. 108th Infantry Reg't (which had covered itself in glory in WWI, served in
Philippines and Okinawa WWII). "Bill" served at the Hornell, NY Armory, and
was the permanent civil service member of the company where I enlisted in
August, 1956 as a citizen soldier. By then, and according to various and tortuous
Army reorganizations (to keep the WOs busy?) it had turned into Co D, 174th
Armored Infantry Bn, 27th Armored Div, NYARG.
Bill Wilmot took me into hand, got me uniformed, sent me off for a few more years
under Mr. Milliman, Svc Btry, 249th AFArty, 27th Armored Div, while I finished
(flunked) college at Syracuse. Then I came back, having been sent to NCO School,
and served the rest of my obligation to the nation, in my old Company D.
Like an old, caring, but persistent in detail mother hen, he brooded over every
man in the company, seeing to their best interests.
And I was just one of more than 100 day-a-week soldiers. The company commander
gave the orders, and the men carried them out; but Mr. Turner saw to the details--
perfectly.
Because the ranks were filled with WWII and Korean veterans, old, knowing
combat-wombats, our company stood high in the battalion, and the battalion
high in the division, which by RA judges was given a rating as equivalent Regular
Army rating in training and combat proficiency. Bill was a big factor in this, faithfully
attending to details without requiring someone to saddle and whip him every day.
For me, he watched, criticized, and approved--I'm sure he had a finger in my
promotion to MG squad leader. Marksmanship was encouraged through making
the armory range available; and he supplied all the ammunition we wanted--and
that was a lot. One year, having surplus ammo before Federal Inspection, Bill gave
me three boxes of linked 30-06 MG, 250 rounds per box (every 5th one with a red
nose), to unlink for my M1903A3 Springfield rifle--but only a couple of days before.
My days with the 174th were over in Oct 1962. But in 2001, I looked him up, took
him out to dinner, and expressed my long-time appreciation for his contribution
to me and to my beloved country. Afterward, he took me back to his neat, well-
ordered, widower's home; and we visited for a while. He excused himself, then
brought back an M7 AR-15 bayonet with M8 scabbard (probably surplussed but
superseded in the 1990s), and a WWII scabbarded Japanese bayonet, and asked
me to keep them for him. Next year, I went back, but I saw his place was changed,
with kid's bikes and toys scattered around. Bill was gone, for good. I suspect he
knew, but said not one word.
Our 147th Infantry motto: same as for the USMC--"Semper Fideles"--hit them
star-dusty trails, Bill! I hope I never have to use the bayonet. But if you find one
for my M1, send it back, please, Sir!
These kinds of real men have touched my life in ways that the little bit of 6 years
in the NYARNG are but a humble response to their dedicated service, which I cannot
honor enough.
Just remember, you Villistas, you Nazis, Zen ninjas, communists, Muslims,
terrorists, Taliban (and Obamanidiots): I still have my M1 .30 caliber Garand Rifle,
steel pot, fatigues, boots, web belt, and field pack. I'm not so strong alone anymore,
but there are several millions of us, we still know how to take and give orders,
and we're training more every day. We love and seek peace, but ... Beware!
Don't tread on me!
Also, please remember with distinction MG Merritt A. Edson (Ret.): Marine,
National Medal-winning rifleman, victorious foe over Central American guerillas,
Raider creator, reorganizer of the Vermont State Police, Director of the NRA; and
Silver Star, Legion of Merit (2X), Navy Cross(2X), and Medal of Honor holder.
A Prince of Warriors, loved by his beloved Corps. Rest easy, Sir!
And while you're at it, remember the Father of Our Country, a steadfast, unmovable
man of Christian strength, prayer, thoughtfulness, compassion, and courageous
action, a perfect Patriot and Servant, First among equals, for all to mimic.
Close, close to God --
Just a couple of memories on Memorial Day, Anno Domini 2013
Thank you. Today is a Memorial Day for those we have lost in the battles for our freedom. Those, who when called to pay the ultimate price, paid it. Some gladly, some regretfully, some disdainfully, but the price was paid.
Today is NOT Veteran’s Day, it’s not Military Apprciation Day, it’s no more or less than a day to remember our fallen.
Read the title of the thread...if you find any reference to Memorial day or Armistice day or anything other than thanking a veteran let me know.
If you don’t find those things...then go take a flying leap and lecture someone else and wuit shitting on my thread.
No offense meant, my Freeper Friend. Just a thought, a comment, that today is meant as a memorial for those who died in service to our country. I meant my comments as a comparison, because as a veteran, I’m simply tired of those who thank me on days like today. Today is meant a pause in our lives for those who paid the sacrifice I, and many others, were not called to pay. God blessed me, and I lived.
“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”
Because, as always, the answer is included in the bible.
John 15:12-14 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Again, I mean no offense, and I mean you no grief, even if you take offense to those thoughts.
Thank YOU for your service!
I will be pushing in my wheelchair today, covering the 1.2 miles of the Lebanon Memorial Day Parade, to honor my brothers-in-arms who are not here to celebrate with us.
They gave their lives for all of us, so the least we can do is remind as many people as we can today - this day is for the fallen American heroes, who made the ultimate sacrifice!
God Bless the American Soldiers who have paid the ultimate price defending our freedom in this Representative Republic.
Didn't know squat about Washington state. I had two aunts and uncles out there who I always stayed in touch with. Exchanged photos and such. The mountains reminded me of Europe. They sent me the news papers and there were plenty of legal office type jobs out there, a severe shortage. I had been looking here in Alabama and Georgia for over 2 months on terminal leave and had not found anything. We packed our stuff and went out there, me and the girls, and I got there on a Friday, got the Sunday paper, sent out for two jobs, got a call on Wednesday, interviewed on Thursday and called and told on Friday I had a job. Making twice what I did at retirement in the Army. So, there I stayed for 15 years. Met my new wife out there. She retired from B of A and we came home to freedom here in Alabama and got out of that soviet state!!!
My homepage...
Today is the day to remember a MP Sergeant assigned to Baumholder who died downrange. At his memorial service, after saluting his picture I walked over to his wife, hugged her gently while whispering in her ear “blessed is the man whose transgressions are not counted against him.” With tears streaming down her cheeks she smiled and said “My baby is dancing for Jesus.”
Today I am remembering him, his young wife, and thinking about my dad's buddy's who didn't come home from WWII and Korea. Those who were just a couple years older than I who never came home from Vietnam. Those who didn't come home from Grenada and Desert Storm or or who died trying to rescue hostages in Iraq. I am remembering those who I never served next to that gave all.
No if you'll excuse me I am going to the local VA cemetery to walk in a garden of stone.
Gary Karner, US Army 1961-1969 4th ID Viet Nam 67-68
Will never forget you Woodie...........
Full Name: ELWOOD EUGENE RUMBAUGH
Wall Name: ELWOOD E RUMBAUGH
Date of Birth: 9/10/1943
Date of Casualty: 5/15/1975
Home of Record: SPANGLER
County of Record: CAMBRIA COUNTY
State: PA
Branch of Service: AIR FORCE
Rank: SSGT
Casualty Country: CAMBODIA
Casualty Province:
Status: MIA
http://www.vvmf.org/thewall/Wall_Id_No=44859
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