Memorial Day: Remembering those lost

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  • 88E30M50

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    Happy Memorial day everybody!

    There are two in our family that I'd like to say thanks to on this day. First is my Uncle Bill. He was killed during the battle of the Remagen Bridge in early 1945. He had been wounded in November during the battle Huerten Forest and could have been evacuated to the states, but chose to rejoin his unit.

    Joseph "Bill" Smith

    The second service member I'd like to thanks for giving all is my Uncle Tony. He was a P38 pilot that flew with the 343rd Fighter Squadron in England. He was flying on the first Droop Snoot mission on April 10th 1944 as escort to the bomb carrying P38s. After bombing Coullemer, the escort dropped down to stafe the airfield. He took a hit on the way in and despite having an engine on fire, continued to strafe until his aircraft crashed at the far edge of the airfield. He was KIA on impact.

    Anthony L Piscitelli

    Both Uncle's Bill and Tony are still interred in Europe, one in Epinal and the other in Leige.


    Please add anyone you knew or that was in your family to this thread.
     
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    actaeon277

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    hog slayer

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    This is my good buddy, Dave Stewart. We were drill instructors at PISC for a while. I had the pleasure of working with him one cycle as green belts. It was a memorable time to say the least. Dave grew up with a speech impediment and his parents, in an effort to help him, sent him to Wisconsin to a speech therapist. The result was that he could not speak less than pristine English. I had way too much fun that cycle to be considered work. He was so methodical and I was just a ball of fire. On the day he died he was the SNCOIC conducting vehicle checkpoint operations protecting me and those brothers in arms around me. My unit was the CASEVAC for the day. I have never felt more human in my life than for the three or so hours immediately following the explosion that killed Dave (and one of our recruits). I was crushed. I have never felt so inhuman than the fourth hour or so afterwards when I suppressed those emotions never to rise again. Dave has a beautiful wife and two beautiful daughters. While I lost others, none so close to me as Dave. He is a good friend and I miss him very much.
    Marine Staff Sgt. David H. Stewart | Military Times

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    LCpl Wimpy-Cagle
    He was a memorable recruit. He was so determined for such a skinny kid. I was a green belt (sent to torment everyone in sight) and happened to be on duty the night his mother called. Not every parent calls, but when they do, it is a huge responsibility to conduct yourself as a concerned professional. I ended up speaking with her a few more times as he went throughout his training cycle. He was a wonderful kid and I would have served with him anywhere. In such an environment as recruit training you get to see a persons true colors. This applies to all personnel involved. He was such a young man of character. I remember thinking that with a few more push ups I would be honored if my son were to have as rock solid faith and character as he Cagle. Good job mom and dad. I salute you.
     

    gregr

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    No photos to add. Just want to wish everyone a happy Memorial Day. Take time to reflect upon the many sacrifices that have been made to allow us to live the lives we do. It`s come at the cost of a lot of blood, sweat, and for sure, tears. Freedom simply is not free.
     

    indykid

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    Happy Memorial day everybody!

    There are two in our family that I'd like to say thanks to on this day. First is my Uncle Bill. He was killed during the battle of the Remagen Bridge in early 1945. He had been wounded in November during the battle Huerten Forest and could have been evacuated to the states, but chose to rejoin his unit.

    Joseph "Bill" Smith



    Please add anyone you knew or that was in your family to this thread.

    My condolences for the loses of those you never got to know. You Uncle Bill was killed at the fight for the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen. Was he with the 78th Lightning? My father was with the 78th and managed to get across the bridge. He was "lucky" to be only seriously wounded after getting across but thankfully survived (or I wouldn't be writing this).

    While I haven't lost any direct relatives to armed conflict, I did lose one who would have many years later become a brother through marriage. He was commander of Komodo 11 at the start of the fighting in Afghanistan. His helicopter crashed for unknown reasons during a medical rescue mission.

    I raise a glass for those who no longer can, but through their efforts we are still free to do so. May they rest in peace.
     

    Sylvain

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    That's a beautiful American cemetery in Brittany, France.
    There are over 4,000 graves and a chapel.

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    Inside are maps showing the different stages of the liberation of France and the battles that took place in the region.

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    Sylvain

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    That plaque says:

    On this monument are engraved the names of American soldiers who having given their lives to their country are now resting in unknown places.


    Not all soldiers killed in action were found so most cemeteries have a wall filled with names of soldiers that couldn't be properly burried.
    I guess some of those soldiers could also be burried in that same cemetery under "unknown soldier" graves.
    They just couldn't match a name with a body.
     
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