Only because @Sherbs needs some content for his weekly recap thread.

[BassTrackerBoats]

Referencing this post by @Sherb.

https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/t...s-of-this-week-a-tl-dr.1017821/#post-10916059

I did not want him to not have content for his thread so I thought I'd share this. If it does not make it into the weekly roundup at least I gave it a run.

Removing things off of the wall for the painter in order to be overcharged for some painting one of the things I removed was this shadowbox.

It is considered sacred in our home so I didn't take the glass off to get you folks a better image. We'll probably have a new shadowbox built for it at some point but we have what we have at this point.

These are medals/other military things my Father-In-Law received during his time serving his country. He was an Air Force pilot, and although he died before I had a chance to meet him, my respect for him is off the charts.

The middle medal is the Purple Heart which is given to a military member who is wounded or killed in battle. He was wounded as he was shot down while serving and got hurt in the process.

The medal/medallion all the way to the right in that row says "World War ll" but I do not know what that actually is... the other medals and patches are nothing I understand or have an idea as to what they are or why he would have had them.

Perhaps @OldSalt, @SensualTyrannosaurus or another BHW member who served in the Military in the USA would know what those are or what their significance actually is.

This is the coolest thing we own and I consider it priceless so taking the glass off to get a better pic is not something I would have considered.

 

[Sherb]

Those are some impressive medals, @BassTrackerBoats thank you for sharing.

Bottom left looks like the Silver Star Medal: http://www.afpc.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421936/silver-star-medal/

"The Silver Star is currently awarded by all branches of the Armed Forces to any person who, while serving in any capacity, is cited for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party."

The next one is the Distinguished Flying Cross: http://www.afpc.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421931/distinguished-flying-cross/

"This medal is awarded to any officer or enlisted person of the armed forces of the United States who shall have distinguished her/himself in actual combat in support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to Nov. 11, 1918."

As you said, the next one is the Purple Heart: http://www.afpc.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421938/purple-heart/

"The Purple Heart is awarded for wounds or death as result of an act of any opposing armed force, as a result of an international terrorist attack or as a result of military operations while serving as part of a peacekeeping force."

I believe the next one is the Air Medal: http://www.afpc.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421927/air-medal/

"The Air Medal is awarded to U.S. and civilian personnel for single acts of heroism or meritorious achievements while participating in aerial flight and foreign military personnel in actual combat in support of operations. Required achievement is less than that required for the Distinguished Flying Cross, but must be accomplished with distinction above and beyond that expected of professional airmen. It is not awarded for peace time sustained operational activities and flights."

The last one is the World War II Victory Medal: http://www.afpc.af.mil/About/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421906/world-war-ii-victory-medal/

"This medal is awarded for any active duty or Reserve service period between Dec. 7, 1941 and Dec. 31, 1946."

That is an impressive collection. I'm sure he had some incredible stories to tell. I'm sorry you never had the chance to meet him. When my grandfather passed away, ten years ago yesterday, I received his bars. He had a good stack. I'll see if I can dig them up tomorrow morning and toss a pic up. I'm not sure where his medals went, though. The man served 20 years in the Air Force, ended as a master sergeant, and served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

Yesterday we buried my grandmother at the Florida National Cemetery down in Bushnell, @BassTrackerBoats. It's my third family member buried there. Every visit is such a somber experience, and really brings the gravity of the rate veterans are passing away. When I was younger, I would go every week to nursing homes in my area and talk with veterans and listen to their stories. I'm so happy I did, as everyone I spoke with has likely since passed (they were all primarily WW2).

It was humbling.

 

[Mrnewbie]

Referencing this post by @Sherb.

https://www.blackhatworld.com/seo/t...s-of-this-week-a-tl-dr.1017821/#post-10916059

I did not want him to not have content for his thread so I thought I'd share this. If it does not make it into the weekly roundup at least I gave it a run.

Removing things off of the wall for the painter in order to be overcharged for some painting one of the things I removed was this shadowbox.

It is considered sacred in our home so I didn't take the glass off to get you folks a better image. We'll probably have a new shadowbox built for it at some point but we have what we have at this point.

These are medals/other military things my Father-In-Law received during his time serving his country. He was an Air Force pilot, and although he died before I had a chance to meet him, my respect for him is off the charts.

The middle medal is the Purple Heart which is given to a military member who is wounded or killed in battle. He was wounded as he was shot down while serving and got hurt in the process.

The medal/medallion all the way to the right in that row says "World War ll" but I do not know what that actually is... the other medals and patches are nothing I understand or have an idea as to what they are or why he would have had them.

Perhaps @OldSalt, @SensualTyrannosaurus or another BHW member who served in the Military in the USA would know what those are or what their significance actually is.

This is the coolest thing we own and I consider it priceless so taking the glass off to get a better pic is not something I would have considered.

My father served in Korea but it was doing peace times. My hats and heart go off to those who gave their lives to serve our country. To leave everyone and everything you know about the unknown takes such guts. Also, disclaimer for @Sherb, the following reply is protected stated here: Copyright law protects "works of authorship" which include my crappy post lol. Anyhow, thanks for sharing @BassTrackerBoats.

 

[Apocalypto]

More veteran stories please!

I was kind of a weird kid and was interested in history much much more than whatever a 6-7-8 year old would be interested in. My fondest memories of my childhood are those of me sitting in my grandfather's lap and listening to his WWII stories.

I have always been mesmerized by this topic and I always enjoy reading different stories from around the world. WWII is like my guilty pleasure, lmao.

I'll be going back to the old house this weekend and will try to find some memorabilia and post them here if you guys are interested.

 

[Deleted member 877043]

@BassTrackerBoats @Sherb Indeed correct; WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL

http://lostimagesofww2.com/history/decorations/

And thanks to both your father in law, your grandfather, and a countless number of other fellow countrymen, I am able to post this in English and not German.

Please except my sincere and deepest respect for not only your family members, but everybody from that generation for their sacrifices.

If you ever have the change, or perhaps you already did, visit
Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy, France.

It’s hard to descripe the feeling that takes over your body when you’re confronted with the almost endless green and white patterns.

A stark reminder that nothing is free, but always comes at a cost, and should never be taken for granted.

 

[Deleted member 855230]

As an infantry Marine, I am impressed. Not a single one of those medals were awarded to idiots hanging out on the flight deck. He had to have some pretty harrowing stories to earn those medals.

As for the World War II medal, you better open that glass and help correct it's resting position, or I'm gonna come and correct it AND YOU! Think of it as preservation to his honor.

Interestingly enough, after I served in Iraq, I went to engine building school. It was very cool to learn that almost EVERYTHING that we do in the world of horsepower, was developed for the planes in WWII. If you had more power, you were faster, which meant you were superior.

Intake and Exhaust pulse wave tuning (to create natural supercharging effects) were used on these planes first.
Nitrous was used on these planes first.
Methanol injection was used on these planes first.
Superchargers were used on these planes first.
Exhaust driven superchargers were used on these planes first. (turbochargers)

And thanks to both your father in law, your grandfather, and a countless number of other fellow countrymen, I am able to post this in English and not German.

My deceased Brigadier General Grandfather, said he fought many Germans who strongly believed they were the good guys. We were able to write the story of the losers.

(what if the allies were actually the bad guys and we won!? food for thought.)

 

[awesomewebsites]

He got a lot of medals. Shows a lot of hard work. Glad that someone is taking care of these precious medals.

 

[DunDidIt2X]

(what if the allies were actually the bad guys and we won!? food for thought.)

What if herpes was a good thing....JFFT

@BassTrackerBoats Cool history there in your family. Something to def be proud of. Hey btw, Im going to be down in Jacksonville July 13-19th. How far away is that from you and how do I redeem that boat trip you promised me about a year ago in one of my threads, if I make it down that way?

 

[MisterF]

If you visit Europe there's some really moving memorials to the bloody battles Ypres ( Battle of Passchendaele was the 3rd battle there ), The Somme, Verdun all from the first World War.
Battle of the Somme lasted 4 months, By the end of the battle, the British Army had suffered 420,000 casualties including nearly 60,000 on the first day alone. The French lost 200,000 men and the Germans nearly 500,000.
It's moving to see row after row of graves, especially when you see how many were teenagers who were killed.

I was on a plane 2 weeks ago chatting to 2 Chelsea Pensioners, who were traveling in their distinctive red uniforms. I couldn't make out the wings on one of the guys uniforms so asked him.
He told me he'd served 6 years in the Canadian Parachute regt, then moved to the UK, enlisted and served 24 years.
The other was a guy called Skippy, an Australian by birth who had served 30 years in the British army, including the Korea conflict.
Both these guys had medals, worn with pride.

 

[Deleted member 877043]

My deceased Brigadier General Grandfather, said he fought many Germans who strongly believed they were the good guys. We were able to write the story of the losers.

That’s a great, yet at the same time complicated, observation.

The short explanation for your Grandfather’s observation is beautiful described and written down by G.K. Chesterton;

“The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.”

The longer, more complicated explanation would involve both Chesterton, Goebbels, socio-economics and a lot of other variables, but I don’t want to go way off topic in this thread.

 

[t0mmy]

Very cool indeed.. I love stuff like this, I promised my grandfather I would write to the MoD here years ago and obtain all his WWII medals for him. I never did get round to that, one of those “I wish I’d done it before he’d gone” moments, he passed away around 4 years ago at the ripe old age of 94. This has inspired me to look into those medals again.. great history there BTB you and your wife do right to treasure and protect it.

I have a lot of stuff my father and his comrades hand made (Irish harps, plaques etc) while involved in the recent Irish troubles, he was in the maze (h-blocks) prison for many years and the stories he told me were both horroring and also funny at times too.. humor always helped the Irish through tough times. I hold those items very dearly now since he passed last summer as I’m sure your wife does those medals.. “We stand on the shoulders of giants”

 

[Sherb]

What if herpes was a good thing....JFFT

@BassTrackerBoats Cool history there in your family. Something to def be proud of. Hey btw, Im going to be down in Jacksonville July 13-19th. How far away is that from you and how do I redeem that boat trip you promised me about a year ago in one of my threads, if I make it down that way?

You'd be probably about 45+ minutes from Greg and about 10-15 from me depending on where you are planning on staying. Jacksonville is MASSIVE. As in over an hour to drive from one side of the city to the other in optimal traffic conditions. Closer to two during rush hour.

 

[DunDidIt2X]

You'd be probably about 45+ minutes from Greg and about 10-15 from me depending on where you are planning on staying. Jacksonville is MASSIVE. As in over an hour to drive from one side of the city to the other in optimal traffic conditions. Closer to two during rush hour.

Sounds like we are going to have to get together. If you're up for it? Maybe, BTB can set up a day of fishing.

 

[zionbar]

wow pretty awesome! lots of respect to him and all the brave men who served this country.

 

[Deleted member 855230]

What if herpes was a good thing....JFFT

Rewriting a book, and creating a favorable storyline is quite different than having a disease that is 100% terrible. Do some "fringe reading" on the motivations of WW2, and you'll wonder what it was all really about. The bottom line, is the men on both sides were fighting for patriotic reasons. There is no such nation in the world that is pure evil, and they could have been told they were ridding the world of evil, just as much as we were told the same thing. Bottom line, it was a bunch of young men fighting wars for politicians, as always.

Herpes, on the other hand, is simply terrible for all parties.

 

[DunDidIt2X]

Rewriting a book, and creating a favorable storyline is quite different than having a disease that is 100% terrible. Do some "fringe reading" on the motivations of WW2, and you'll wonder what it was all really about. The bottom line, is the men on both sides were fighting for patriotic reasons. There is no such nation in the world that is pure evil, and they could have been told they were ridding the world of evil, just as much as we were told the same thing. Bottom line, it was a bunch of young men fighting wars for politicians, as always.

Herpes, on the other hand, is simply terrible for all parties.

Im familiar with the history from both perspectives..... Just not a big fan of commercial grade ovens or gas showers.

 

[Deleted member 855230]

Im familiar with the history from both perspectives..... Just not a big fan of commercial grade ovens or gas showers.

You're missing my point. You're reading books written in the language of the victors.
Edit: I wont be responding down this pathway anymore. This is taking from the respect of BTB's family members.

 

[BassTrackerBoats]

As an infantry Marine, I am impressed. Not a single one of those medals were awarded to idiots hanging out on the flight deck. He had to have some pretty harrowing stories to earn those medals.

As for the World War II medal, you better open that glass and help correct it's resting position, or I'm gonna come and correct it AND YOU! Think of it as preservation to his honor. [/QUOTE}

He was a special man on a lot of levels.

I'll tighten up that WWII medal when we redo the shadow box. We want to do it right and make it permanent so that when it passes from us to the children and grandchildren it stays the course as he should be remembered for what he did ad infinitum.

Interestingly enough, after I served in Iraq

I've probably never thanked you for serving. I'm a clown.

Much respect and appreciation.

@BassTrackerBoats Cool history there in your family. Something to def be proud of. Hey btw, Im going to be down in Jacksonville July 13-19th. How far away is that from you and how do I redeem that boat trip you promised me about a year ago in one of my threads, if I make it down that way?

We typically head to NYC during that timeframe to celebrate that I am one year closer to collecting Social Security checks but I am not sure I'll be able to travel due to stupid doctors telling me what I am allowed and not allowed to do.

Should I not it is about an hour and 15 minutes or so from here to @Sherb and we'll get you both down here (should your spouses/SO be available them as well) and we'll fish for some bass, catch them or not we'll have a big time, and fire up the grill once we are done.

 

[br4sco]

Rewriting a book, and creating a favorable storyline is quite different than having a disease that is 100% terrible. Do some "fringe reading" on the motivations of WW2, and you'll wonder what it was all really about. The bottom line, is the men on both sides were fighting for patriotic reasons. There is no such nation in the world that is pure evil, and they could have been told they were ridding the world of evil, just as much as we were told the same thing. Bottom line, it was a bunch of young men fighting wars for politicians, as always.

Herpes, on the other hand, is simply terrible for all parties.

Great summary of war in general. In the end they are human on both sides, due to circumstancial reasons on either side of the frontline. Why dont we let the politicians wage their wars?

 

[Deleted member 877043]