Just watching a Band Of Brothers cd wondering what's up with him. Turns out he died several years ago. I saw him interviewed and he had grand-child ask if he was hero in the war. He said "No, I wasn't hero but I sure served with a bunch of them."
Talk about the ultimate in humility.
People like this should be appreciated and missed all day. Both my Grandpas did time in that war.
Have watched Band of Brothers several times. These men were truly part of the greatest generation. My father in law served in the army and fought through North Africa, Sicily, Italy and southern France. Trench foot and frost bite finally got him after 3 years on the front lines. He received a bronze star and a silver for bravery.My dad joined the army immediately after high school graduation in 1944. He went through basic training and was shipped to the Pacific to make the invasion of Okinawa. Can you imagine being 18 years old and the first combat you see is one of the biggest battles of the Pacific war. Men like these came home, started families, and built this once great nation without any complaints. They are both gone now but i remember both of them saying, " This is not the country I fought for" Glad they are not around to see what we've become.
I think they would just be plain ole drop dead mad as hell about things these days. Grandpa Palmer (Mom's Dad) went through a ton of crap and ended being a guard during the Neuremborg (sp?) trials. While visiting Uncle Jim last year (to bury my Mother) he handed me Grandpa's Leuger (sp?) that he brought home from the war. Never been fired. Patina has set in on the bullets even. Jim says he'll never fire it. Can't blame him for that. The lettering/writing on the holster is still fairly ledgeable even if in German.
Neither talked about it. The "old man" across the street (Mr. Elvin) was in Okinawa and Iwo Jima along with his twin brother. Boy did have some stories to tell before he died last August.
It's a terrific series. Starting re-watching last friday night.
> It's a terrific series. Starting re-watching last friday night.
Watching the last episode as I write. Dad sent me the CD collection in the stamped tin box many years ago.
I really like the show, found the book a few years back, pretty good re-read!
-JD-
> I really like the show, found the book a few years back, pretty good re-read!
>
> -JD-
I was thinking earlier I need to read a book again. Haven't read one in some years. Last one was "Walden" by Henry David Thereau (sp?) Can't tell you another book before that. Probably something technical non-fiction knowing me. Don't get me wrong. I read all the time. All my survey mags and National Geographic get a serious going through front to back before the next issues arrive.
As to the movie series, the last 2 episodes really pull at my heartstrings. Dad sent me the DVD collection many years ago and I didn't watch any of them for a couple years. Don't know why really. Cable and internet got cut off so I reckon I was watching anything I had. Since then, I've watched the entire series from to back about 10 tens. If I still had my Top Gun movie I probably would have worn it out as well (that was VHS). Good thing I have DVDs. "We Were Soldiers" would also be about wore out now. "The Patriot" would probably be as well.
Yes, I come from a long line of military people not counting my Cherokee and Shawnee bloodlines. I'd have to go back and check my family records but I think there is a Lt. Col. from the American revolution. I guess he would be about 4th-great-grandpa White.
Autographed Book
In 2005, the husband of my wife's first cousin was a General in the U.S. Army stationed in Germany at Frankfort and in charge of 13 installations. One of his more enjoyable duties on behalf of the U.S. Army, was to meet all dignitaries coming into Frankfort and travel with them throughout Germany. During that time, he had the opportunity to meet and travel around with a group of the original band of brothers. They were Buck Compton, Earl McClung, Shifty Powers, Babe Heffron, Bill Guarnere and Don Malarkey. Before the visit was up, he got them to sign the Band of Brothers book, which he gave to me that Christmas. On page 128, it mentions all of them except Powers together. Needless to say, it was a pretty special Christmas present for me and a much valued treasure still today.
Autographed Book
Wow!!!! What a treasure!!! I might as well claim to walk on water to have such a gift. That's not likely on either account.
Shifty Powers is a feller I'd like to meet. My kind of simple country boy.
Capt. Ronald Spears was just plain old awesome. A man's man in my book. The true definition of a "hard charger".
I used to know a feller up in NC who could shoot like Shifty. They may even know each other. We had guns out one afternoon and he whirls around and takes a shot at some big crow about a half mile or better away. I said he missed and he said wait. I wasn't thinking about velocities and sure enough, feathers went loose. He claimed to know Carlos "Whitefeather" Hathcock from "back in the day" ('Nam vet).
