THE GREATEST GENERATION

[John Henry]

THE GREATEST GENERATION

Went to a funeral Friday- Les Blair, a Navy veteran and Pearl Harbor survivor. He was on the "Pennsylvania." During and after the service I'm looking at the VFW members who were the pallbearers. At least three of them were also WW II veterans and the others had fought In Korea and Nam. Attending the service was another WW II vet, Navy fighter pilot Bill Hardy, who was a double ace in the Pacific.

After the service, which was conducted at the Mission Basilica in
San Juan Capistrano we all followed the casket out behind the vets, who were guiding their "brother" to his final ride in the hearse. A navy detail gave him a gun salute as taps was played. The vets stood solemnly at attention while the flag was folded, given to the family and then the coffin was slid into the hearse.

At the reception later all the vets were seated at the same table and I'm just looking at them in awe. Les, Bill, the other vets and anybody who has ever put on the uniform - these guys are the real heroes, not some dumb *** quarterback who can't respect the flag or politician who wants to take away our rights that these guys fought and died for. I just hope and pray our country gets back on track. To all you vets out there I salute you.

[TurboChrisB]

Nice words. Thanks for that.

[humble servant]

Amen brother. I'm proud to say my grandfather was a US Navy veteran of WW2 In the S.Pacific. My grand uncle was a US Marine veteran in Europe. In a way I'm glad they're not here to see how bad things have gotten.
God bless our veterans.

[beanz2]

I promise I will not go to any 49ers game, or buy any 49ers items until Kaepernick is off the team.

Sorry 49er fans.

[TurboS600]

I promise I will not go to any 49ers game, or buy any 49ers items until Kaepernick is off the team.

Sorry 49er fans.

You're not the only one. Sales of 49er gear is way down and attendance and viewership is way down this year across the league. Polls indicate fans are voting with their wallets due to the disrespect of our country by spoiled, overpaid, primadonna athletes who are paid to play a stupid game.

Apologies to the OP for the

As many know I'm a RN at the VA hospital in primary care. Two of my vets are in the Honor Guard at the National Cemetery in Riverside. They've almost got me convinced to join the Honor Guard but that is just not in the cards until I can retire. I'll also have to get over breaking down at funerals. I just can't keep the eyes dry during taps.

I get to honor the veterans every day at work. I always make sure that I thank them for their service every day and you're right, OP, the WWII vets are getting few and far between. I'm honored that I get to serve them every day and get to thank them for their sacrifice. They do frustrate me sometimes but I love them nonetheless.

My Pops is a retired USMC MSgt, served two tours on the drill field and served as a tactical nuclear specialist for 12 years. I followed his footsteps and did two tours with 1st Bn 7th Mar. Those were my formative years and made me into the man that I am today. Also gave me a heartfelt respect for all who served. My sig line on my email goes thus:

TurboS600
Care Manager Alpha Clinic
Q: How many vets did it take to secure your freedoms?
A: ALL OF THEM! Have you thanked a vet today?

Semper Fi! RIP Mr. Blair

[user120312]

Yeah, I remember the honor guard at my dad's funeral crying as my mom was presented with his flag. More vets were alive back then and a few of his friends from out of the area showed up. I was kind of a dope back then and wondered why a naval honor guard (NAS Lemoore) would serve at an army guy's funeral. I was also amazed at how young they looked, heck just kids like me.

Rest in peace to the latest soul departed of those who so bravely defended us with distinction on the fields of battle.

[Tank 57]

I have great respect for our Veterans. Many in my family, I am proud to say.

Including my Dad (RIP) WWII and Korea. I served in the Army. Brother is Navy Vet. 2 Uncles also Army Vets.

[nickel plate]

During WWll my dad was the skipper on a mine sweeper, otherwise known as the "matchbox fleet".
I just got home yesterday from attending his 100th birthday party. It was held at a very nice restaurant about five miles from his home and yes, he drove us there and back!

[russ69]

THE GREATEST GENERATION...detail gave him a gun salute as taps was played. The vets stood solemnly at attention while the flag was folded, given to the family...

That was me earlier this year. Dad was a WWII vet and I was handed the flag, being the sole remaining member of the family. I'm thankful, I was raised by one from that generation.

[GM4spd]

R.I.P.

[Eat Dirt]

THE GREATEST GENERATION ...

How True ...Some of today's Latte drink'in , Skinney Jean wear'in little crybabys will never know what those Men did for our country

Thanks for posting JohnHenry

[John Henry]

Amen brother. I'm proud to say my grandfather was a US Navy veteran of WW2 In the S.Pacific. My grand uncle was a US Marine veteran in Europe. In a way I'm glad they're not here to see how bad things have gotten.
God bless our veterans.

As a side note to my original post, those of you have or had relatives who served, have you experienced how they never seemed to want to talk about it? My dad was in North Africa, Italy and Normandy- I never even knew about Normandy until I found out from my uncle-his brother a few years ago. I could only get my dad to talk about his service a couple of times- once he told me how he was in a fox hole and when the shelling started how he could only think about digging with his bare hands deeper and deeper. The second thing was a little more "light hearted"- when he and his buddies would go for R&R in the local bars in North Africa and one of them would always take a live grenade. Sometimes "friendlies" would turn sour and when that happened, the guy holding the grenade would pull the pin and raise it over his head. Things would settle down pretty quickly.

Other than that, he never really wanted to talk about it. My uncle said when he came back he really had changed. My dad has been gone for a long time now and I would give anything to sit down with him and have a beer.