Currently browsing: WWII

In remembrance, and an Alabama D-Day connection

June 6, 2008 by Nicki

Sixty-four years ago today, the initial landings of the Invasion of Normandy began. The invasion and establishment of Allied forces in Normandy, France during Operation Overlord in World War II sought to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation.

There are countless stories from brave soldiers who took part in this historic event, but I would like to highlight two from my fair state: Elbert Adcock and Ambrose Underwood.

The Department of Veterans Affairs states that World War II veterans are dying at rate of more than 1,000/day, with their numbers quickly dwindling. According to Martin Morgan, historian for the World War II Museum in New Orleans, “…judging by the passing of the World War I veterans, we’re predicting they will all be gone by 2020.”

They are called the Greatest Generation, and they are fading fast. There are so many stories by these fine men and women who were there and together made history. My grandfather was one of them. Had I known then what I know now, I would have listened more to his stories and asked more questions — at least try to record his piece of history to share with the next generation.

Because soon, all we’ll have left are a few stories …

Filed under: Loved Ones, Sweet Home Alabama
Tagged as: D-Day, God Bless Our Troops, God Bless the USA, Memories, veterans, WWII

Memorial Day

May 26, 2008 by Nicki

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I hadn’t intended to post today, but there was too much great content in my feeds this morning to ignore. As I do every other morning, I started first with the cartoons. I have always loved Chris Muir’s Day by Day strip. Today’s was both sweet (if you’ve been following the storyline) and appropriate:

Next, a short ‘n sweet message from my favorite outspoken goth. Cookie’s place had a nice shot and a short background blurb about watchfires and introduced us to a hero that everyone needs to know about.

Rachel Lucas introduced us to her grandfather, a WWII hero. 7.62mm Justice has a great post detailing several heroes and has some great stories to share. BlackFive’s post today is short ‘n sweet, but suggests something I’ve been encouraging others to do: If you see someone in uniform, or know they serve, thank them. If you see someone you know has served, thank them.

The Soldiers’ Angels blogs had several very excellent pieces today, but I wanted to highlight a couple of them: “Are we worthy of these warriors?” by Vickie Mauldin, Grand Forks Herald and “10 Things to Remember about Memorial Day” by David Holzel. They also shared some news about an upcoming event partnering with Michelle Malkin, Sean Hannity, Mark Levin, Move America Forward, Gathering of Eagles, and many others as well as a request to give some support to soldiers who are patients in Germany.

Last but certainly not least, Merri Musings reminds us of a great quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower: “History does not long entrust the care of freedom to the weak or the timid.”

I’m sure there’s tons more out there, but these are the ones that I thought needed some exposure (link love!). Feel free to add your own via the comments form below!

Filed under: Link Love, Loved Ones
Tagged as: appreciation, God Bless Our Troops, God Bless the USA, Holidays, Memorial Day, Memories, thanks, WWII

The Last Pearl Harbor Day?

December 7, 2006 by Nicki

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I remember thinking last year that no one really talks about this anymore. I find it sad that an event that shook our great nation 65 years ago today is as if it has been almost erased entirely from our memory. Granted, the majority of those who lived and experienced the event first hand are no longer with us, and those who are left will soon be gone:

In the decades since the bombing of Pearl Harbor, countless survivors have made the long journey back to Hawaii every five years to remember comrades who were lost and to catch up with those who lived but later went their separate ways. They drink Scotch and tell war stories; they brag and weep. They often just sit together and say nothing at all.

But this year’s reunion holds an urgency that hasn’t been part of gatherings past: Most Pearl Harbor survivors, nearing their 90s or even older, say it will be their final trip back to this place that changed the course of their lives and their nation forever. Event organizers–many of them children of survivors who are ailing or already have died–pragmatically are calling this the “final reunion.” And survivors’ extended families, including children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, are coming along to the reunion in unprecedented numbers to glimpse history firsthand through their loved one’s eyes before the opportunity is gone.

“This is their last swan song,” said Sue Marks, an event volunteer whose father, a Pearl Harbor survivor, died a decade ago. “They know that a lot of them either won’t be around in five years or won’t be able to make the long trip.”

(Source)

My personal WWII hero has already passed, but I will never forget the stories he told or the values instilled in me. It is up to the rest of us to keep the remembrances alive and never, ever forget what happened.

In the span of two hours on Sunday morning, December 7, 1941: 350 Japanese aircraft sank or badly damaged 21 ships moored at Pearl Harbor, including eight battleships. Almost 200 American planes were destroyed, and another 150 damaged. 2,400 Americans died and Oahu’s hospitals were overrun with 1,200 more burned and maimed victims.

Yamamoto best summed it up: “I fear we will awaken a sleeping giant.” On December 8, America was never more awake, and never more vengeful.

But yet once again, we slumber. 9-11 was only 5 years ago and it seems to me now that most people just want it erased from memory.

Where are you now, America? Where is your demand for vengeance? Your cries of anger and pain?

Those who died at Pearl Harbor would be appalled to discover that today ‘patriotism’ is a dirty word among some ethnic political activists. To paraphrase former President Abraham Lincoln: Those who willfully damage morale and undermine the military during wartime are saboteurs and should be arrested, exiled, or hanged.

I vote for all three.

Images courtesy of Encarta, PBS, Destroyer Escort Central, and Michelle Malkin.