75th anniversary

[257Bob]

75 years ago today the 164th Infantry landed on Guadalcanal to reinforce the 1st Marine Division.

 

[Lapper]

God bless America!

 

[JayKay]

Yes Sir,

My dad is the sec/treas for the 164th Infantry retirees. I'll be at the festivities tomorrow, at the BSC campus.

 

[guywhofishes]

Yes Sir,

My dad is the sec/treas for the 164th Infantry retirees. I'll be at the festivities tomorrow, at the BSC campus.

tell him NDA thanks him!!

 

[KDM]

How many folks attending do you think will be kneeling when the anthem is played? I think everyone that feels kneeling for the anthem is OK should shake hands with these veterans and explain to them why. Thank every veteran you meet from me JayKay if you would and let them know I for one appreciate their actions. Thanks!!

 

[JayKay]

tell him NDA thanks him!!

I sure will.

My dad was never in combat, thank God, but he was in the active military for 43 years, which in itself is an accomplishment (in my book). I've asked him if this kneeling during the national anthem bothers him. He said "well, they do have a right to their opinion, but I wish them sumbitches would just leave the country if they don't like it.".

And I quote.

So, for those who say military and veterans don't mind the kneeling, I'm sure some don't. But I feel that most think it's ridiculous and disrespectful.

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How many folks attending do you think will be kneeling when the anthem is played? I think everyone that feels kneeling for the anthem is OK should shake hands with these veterans and explain to them why. Thank every veteran you meet from me JayKay if you would and let them know I for one appreciate their actions. Thanks!!

I will report back, but I bet that the only people not standing during the national anthem, don't have legs. My dad is 82, with two artificial knees, and he would never do anything but stand.

And if I ever had pop-knots on my head, that were so big a calf would suck on them, it's because I did something stupid enough for him to put them there - like maybe disrespect the flag.

 

[JayKay]

So, the 75th Anniversary Celebration for the WWII vets (from ND) who were at Guadalcanal, was received nicely. My dad has been part of this retirees association for many years, and this was the best turnout yet. He was moved by the speeches and participation, etc.

There were a few men there, all from ND, who served at that theater. All in their mid 90's. All stood during the introductions, and ovation, which was thunderous.

I certainly did not have the heart to ask any of them what they think of the NFL protests during the national anthem. I couldn't dignify those boys playing a game, with these men who went to war.

Anyhow, here are a couple of photos. It was an afternoon very well spent.

Jim Kemp

 

[lunkerslayer]

Very nice JayKay

 

[KDM]

Thanks JayKay!!

 

[JayKay]

My 82 yr old dad, who was a drill instructor and a tank commander (at various times in his career) was moved to tears. Pretty powerful commentary from these heroes.

 

[2400]

I've been to several of these gatherings of WWII and Korea Vets over the years. Every time I feel awestruck at what they did and how humble they are about their actions.

Please tell your Dad and any of his fellow soldiers "THANK YOU and WELCOME HOME" for me please when you see them.

 

[WoodyND]

I also attended the reunion this past Saturday. My sister and her daughter from Wisconsin came up to go with my older brother and I. We went in honor of my Dad who passed away in 1984. He was on the first wave of guardsmen to land on Guadalcanal. He did not talk about anything that happened there, which is probably a good thing. I was really impressed with the event and wish we would have went to the earlier ones. If anybody is thinking about going to something like this in the future, for sure do it.

 

[Allen]

I just took a trip to Normandy, France last week. In case any of you a-holes were wondering why I was so quiet for a while.

Oh my Lord if that wasn't quite the tour. We visited all of the beaches, yep...Omaha, Utah, Juno, Sword, and Gold. Toured the respective museums and remaining German fortifications. Also visited with some of the locals.

Two things that come to mind:
1. As my stepfather, another vet from New Town, and I were lunching in a small park across the street from the church in Sainte Mere Eglise where a parachute and mannequin still hang in honor of John Steele, we were approached by a French couple from Lyonne (sp) who profusely thanked us for not only the US having liberated them from the Nazis, but for our service in the U.S. military. That's what I call a very humbling experience.

2. Another vet on the tour has a relative buried in an American cemetery at Normandy. I'll paraphrase his experience as he shared with me. The young French gal who works at the visitors center and helps Americans locate the graves of their kin told him what her grandfather and father beat into her head. "You must always remember what these Americans did for us, don't ever forget"! I could tell he too was very moved by the whole experience of visiting his kin's grave and the thankfulness of that young French gal.


Not a cheap trip but it was one of the most moving experiences of my life.

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Note, I also got a brief moment to meet with a D-Day vet while at the American Cemetery. There are a few that make it there every year, and you could see the flood of emotions in his eyes as that day from back when he was 18 years old is still vivid in his memory.

 

[guywhofishes]

WOW. Just wow.