The Longest Day...

[Crush]

Originally Posted by jdv69z

I had several uncles and a father involved in that war. One uncle was a captain under Patton, another flew 30 missions into Germany for the mighty eighth in a B17, another spent 8 months as a POW near Munich. Still another in the navy. My father was in the army engineers and was transferred out of an infantry division that was mauled at the battle of the bulge before that battle. Funny how they all seemed to know what was really important in life.

Here's a link to my Uncle Tom relating his POW experiences.

https://www.pbs.org/video/cet-histor...eman-wwii-pow/

I watched this and got the chills. Horrible to listen to but a reminder of the realities/cost of freedom. Young people need this reminder.

[RPOLS3]

Originally Posted by jdv69z

I had several uncles and a father involved in that war. One uncle was a captain under Patton, another flew 30 missions into Germany for the mighty eighth in a B17, another spent 8 months as a POW near Munich. Still another in the navy. My father was in the army engineers and was transferred out of an infantry division that was mauled at the battle of the bulge before that battle. Funny how they all seemed to know what was really important in life.

Here's a link to my Uncle Tom relating his POW experiences.

https://www.pbs.org/video/cet-histor...eman-wwii-pow/

What a moving interview - thanks for sharing and thanks to them for their service. Most of us have no clue. They were the greatest generation for sure.

[TimG]

I watched your uncles interview, he was just a young boy from Ohio. The last few minutes of the interview was certainly the most difficult.

[jdv69z]

Yes, he actually was a witness to Dachau. I don't think he ever spoke about it for years afterwards.

[mockingbird812]

Originally Posted by BJCHEV396

Three of my uncles landed on Juno Beach.They were combat engineers.All three made it home but were changed men.I had the honor to visit Normandy in 2010 and we toured the beaches and cemeteries.God bless them.

My father-in-law was a combat engineer at the Juno landing. Wounded and recuperated in England.

[Billohio]

Very interesting story Jimmy. This for sharing

[BJCHEV396]

Originally Posted by mockingbird812

My father-in-law was a combat engineer at the Juno landing. Wounded and recuperated in England.

It's surreal when you walk on Juno Beach.There are gun enplacements and bunkers still there and people are sunning themselves and kids are playing.Also what struck me was how open and defenseless the troops would have been running onto the beach from their landing boats.Took a lot of nerve and bravery for sure!

[bluel78]

Thanks Jimmy for sharing your Uncle's story.

[TimG]

The "Million Dollar wound", still have all body parts and you get to go home. He had a great sense of humor.

[BJCHEV396]

Great story.Thanks for sharing.