What I Did Today......

[sonofeugene]

First off, I thought I'd mention that today is my maternal grandfather's birthday. On his birthday, when he came of age, he went down to the local recruiting station to join the army and fight in WWI. He was told that the war had ended that day and that his services were no longer needed. He never served. Lucky guy, I guess.

Anyway, my younger brother asked me if I'd like to attend the Veteran's Day parade in downtown San Jose. Apparently one of the largest in California. We drove to downtown San Jose, dressed for the chilly weather in our fatigue jackets. (Of course, neither of us could zip the jackets up.) It was quite the event with marching bands, military vehicles, plenty of veterans, and Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts passing out home made greeting cards thanking us for our service to our country. I sat there in my chair with my cane which I waved at the people in the parade. I got a bit choked up from time to time. I've decided that if I'm still alive next year, I will be there again.

[sonofeugene]

Me and Mikey, Veteran's Day, 2022.jpg

[sonofeugene]

That's me in the Grateful Dead T shirt.

We have another brother that also served. 20 plus years in the Air Force. But he's retired and lives in Colorado now so he wasn't there.

[OlderThanDirt]

Awesome! A couple good looking kids.

[Tim padilla]

Thank you very much for your service .I’m always proud to see any vet look them in the eye and shake there hand.You are the reason I have freedom in this country . My father is Richard Padilla , Sergeant in the 101ST screaming eagles Vietnam 70-71.
He was interviewed several years back.Its on YouTube .Look up Richard Padilla Vietnam Vet interview if you have interest.
My Dad is the reason I have a passion for Firearms,fishing , upland game bird hunting and collecting Randall knives .He carried one in Nam mentions it in his interview and still has it .
I’m in Southern CA but I would have loved to be at the Parade with you guys today . Unfortunately my Pop is fighting with Dementia and the VA has given him 3-4 years .Today was rough , he was hospitalized from a fall early this morning but I saw him today and his spirits were high .
Thank you again to all you Vets here on Calguns you have all my respect and I salute you today and everyday .

[Tim padilla]

By the way the picture of the Luger you have in you Avatar, those sweetheart grips on it are amazing .Its always cool to run across a handgun or a Theatre knife with them on it . I wish I knew every story behind them .I think a sticky designated just to them on Calguns from anybody who has them or has history on them would be fantastic.

[sonofeugene]

Though there may not be many guns with sweetheart grips here on CalGuns, perhaps a thread just for them would be appropriate. My father got a bit carried away with the Luger grips but I suppose he was inspired by the grips he made for his WWI Spanish pistol, originally made for the French army. Here are some photos of each. the girl under the grips was his kid sister as he didn't have any girlfriend or wife at the time.

[PoorRichRichard]

Thank you for your service.

[pacrat]

Thank You for your service sir.

If Eugene is still around, tell him I said he did a fine job.

[therealnickb]

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[stevec223]

[sonofeugene]

[sonofeugene]

And my father died many years ago. But I felt his presence that day. He was Army and was in the first wave landing on the beaches of southern France, facing German guns. He was eventually wounded, earning him a Purple Heart. As was typical, he rarely talked about his service.

[sonofeugene]

By the way the picture of the Luger you have in you Avatar, those sweetheart grips on it are amazing .Its always cool to run across a handgun or a Theatre knife with them on it . I wish I knew every story behind them .I think a sticky designated just to them on Calguns from anybody who has them or has history on them would be fantastic.

You mentioned knives as well. My father kept his combat knife and decorated it and its sheath.

[stevec223]