Some Pics for Tman

Tman set up a meet between me and his War Veteran - WW2, Korea and Vietnam. - uncle who lives in the same town I do.

We had a fun day, swapped a lot of yarns and I found him to be the most interesting guy I'd met in quite a while.

We spun the roadster the 25 or so miles out to the semi-inhabited ghost town of Chloride and had a great lunch.

I think he liked the getting on the highway and up to speed - & beyond a touch - bit at full throttle a big kick.

Not looking for Kudos here, just that meeting and talking to a Vet pretty much made my day and I thought I'd share.

Thanks Tman.

The pics....

 

WWII, Korea, Vietnam and Gulf I? That's a helluva long career. I was just thinking last night about the fellows who had served in both the war of 1812 and the beginning of the Civil War and wondered if there were any equivalently long careers in the 20th Century. I guess I have my answer.

I love older people, they have so much life experience to share.

-Dave

 

I believe he was 15 when he joined at the latter stages of WW2 in 1945.
Pretty sure I have all the wars correct, he had a long career in the Navy.

Back in the day, patriotism ran so strong that more than a few big kids aged 15-16 were able to join because their folks were willing to sign a form stating they were 17 years old which was the youngest you could join and parental approval was required.

18 & up, you could join on your own.

 

Got to thinkng about it and realized that I didn't hear him correctly about the Gulf War.

Roadsters be noisy, but no excuse for stupidity.

Edited the initial post to drop Gulf War 1.

 

Thank you so much Jay! Uncle Don has always been a hero of mine.

 

Wow, thanks man. That just brought a tear to my eye. Like Trent said, Uncle Don is a hero to both he and I. That is just great to see and hear.

 

Thanks again Jay, our folks saw these pics for the first time today, Uncle Don and is many moons older than our pops. Dad got a bit choked up when he realized what he was seeing..............you are the coolest, I am Thankfull today for your bit of hospitality.

 

Jay, You just got a fistful of attaboys coming your way for doing this. good on you for showing an American hero a good time.
For everyone else, if you want to make your own day walk up to a vet when there is evidence he is one , introduce yourself and thank him for his service. Most of the time they will be somewhat startled but in the end you'll see a look of appreciation come over their face. Most have never been approached about their service and an obvious look of pride at being recognized is good for these guys.
WWII vets are dying at the rate of 1,000 a day, don't loose a chance to say thanks.

Frank

 

Truer words could not be said Frank, thanks.

 

Well, Jay now has some company up in the heavens. Uncle Don passed away yesterday after a long battle. Farewell Sailor, I already miss our Veteran's Day phonecalls.

 

Sorry T. He looks like a neat old guy.

 

Sorry for your loss Tman....
There are so few left from the Second WW that every vet lost is a loss for us all.
My Uncle was British Navy in WW2...U-Boat Hunter Killer group and later Escort Carrier duty in the Atlantic and on into the Pacific war where he lost an arm just before it ended.
I didn't get to know the man as well as I should have before he passed away.
It's a regret I'll always have.

You're lucky to have been close.

RIP Sir...and thank you.

 

After reading this, your Uncle Don is a hero of mine now too. Thanks for sharing this story.

 

Mine too. Godspeed Don!

 

Thinking of those that have left us. Az must have some bad juju. Rip c9, Uncle Don and the last person to reply here, our pal 1950ChevySuburban.

 

Wow. I don't know what to say... I saw C9s byline and thought "how appropriate for memorial day", then your uncle, then John (50Chevysuburban)... I miss two of those guys, and I'm sure if I knew your uncle, would too. I have a friends father that served WWII, Korea, Viet Nam. Thoughts for all today.

 

Thanks, Chip. I would call my Uncle every year on Memorial Day and start the conversation off with "Howdy Sailor!"

 

Nice post to bump up Tman -

 

The other night took grandson to ice cream stand in town. Older guy and his wife were eying the car so struck up conversation. I usually wear my SubVets ball cap and when he saw it he told me he was on the USS Fulton (sub tender) '44-"46. I told him I tipped my cap to him, fewer and fewer of those guys around as others have posted. We both left the ice cream stand with smiles on our faces. God bless all those old veterans!!

 

Don spent the much of his career in Subs.

 

Good job. you can always glean some great insights from old generations.

 

Memorial Day bump. I used to call uncle Don on Veterans day and say "hey sailor". Guess I have to do a Memorial Day thing now. Now we have 2 HAMBers in this thread that have passed as well. I have tears in my eyes as I know c9 and uncle Don are up in heaven chiding, and guiding us!

 

Rest in peace Jay, Don, and other HAMBers that have left us.

 

I get a bit misty eyed too every year when bump this one T-man. I just lost a great friend and neighbor about a month and a half ago that spent a thrity five year Navy career as a submariner... He wasn't a H.A.M.B.er, but was a Model "A" owner and one hell of a friend. Gonna miss bringing him his favorite cigar as was our tradition on Memorial day and Veteran's day. Godspeed Joe...

 

It's been a while ago we lost Jay or C-9 as he was known on the HAMB but I wanted to share his work with the new members on this board!

So read on and enjoy!

Posted using the Full Box of Crayons on the Kitchen Walls App!

 

Thanks guys. Since this thread was posted I got to meet my sort of long lost cousin, Uncle Dons son. In fact, he lives here in the area now.

 

I thought about this thread on Veteran's Day last month. I took Joe's favorite cigar, and Judy and jumped in the bucket and drove up to his grave sight in the National cemetery. Left on his grave and smoked one myself... Miss that goofy bastard!

 

So many old friends gone.

 

Remembering

 

Just loved his stories. Wish I could have met him.