Quick WW2 story
Today I had some errands to run and unfortunately I have to go to a wake tonight so i decided to get my hair cut at the local barber shop. It's a pretty cool place with a lot of "old timers" and veterans, I being 29 am definately one of their younger customers. The one barber is a Korean war vet, the other is my new FFL. I like the place it has a very small town feel to it and they actually use a straight razor to clean up around the ears and neck.
Anyways, all of the men in there were speaking about the country and how much its changed, politics and other things. I could not help but over hear and was also asked my perspective as a "young man". One of the men was getting finished up and they were cracking jokes back and forth. The man started to pay and get his coat on to walk out the door. I took a seat in the barbers chair and requested the standard "high and tight" I usually get which was followed up with the question Down to the blood or do you want to see a shadow? It's to cold out to get it that short so I opted for the shadow. The barber began to talk about how the man that left was a real American Hero, to which I replied with an inquisitive oh yeah? The barber went on to explain how he had survived an attack on his destroyer back in WW2. They sank it in the pacific and this man had been right above where the munitions are stored. He was blown into the water with all sorts of injuries from the concussion where he would stay for the next three days. It is good to see that he is still able to get around ok being over 80 and having had this happen to him in the past. I dont know exactly why I am sharing this story, but I just thought it should be heard. I feel very fortunate to have a place like this in my town filled with these men who did so much for our country and ask so little in return. After hearing the story the only thing I could say in return was god bless him.
Anyways, all of the men in there were speaking about the country and how much its changed, politics and other things. I could not help but over hear and was also asked my perspective as a "young man". One of the men was getting finished up and they were cracking jokes back and forth. The man started to pay and get his coat on to walk out the door. I took a seat in the barbers chair and requested the standard "high and tight" I usually get which was followed up with the question Down to the blood or do you want to see a shadow? It's to cold out to get it that short so I opted for the shadow. The barber began to talk about how the man that left was a real American Hero, to which I replied with an inquisitive oh yeah? The barber went on to explain how he had survived an attack on his destroyer back in WW2. They sank it in the pacific and this man had been right above where the munitions are stored. He was blown into the water with all sorts of injuries from the concussion where he would stay for the next three days. It is good to see that he is still able to get around ok being over 80 and having had this happen to him in the past. I dont know exactly why I am sharing this story, but I just thought it should be heard. I feel very fortunate to have a place like this in my town filled with these men who did so much for our country and ask so little in return. After hearing the story the only thing I could say in return was god bless him.
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...AND in my option what truly makes America great! The guy next to you could have put his life on the line for the country, to such an extent that it would put too shame some of the war movie heroes, and yet he's right there next to you getting his hair cut, acting as a crossing guard near the local school, or your best friend and you know nothing about it his experiences! Only in America!!! 0 -
My barber is a flaming 60's liberal, who went to college until the war was over.
We start verbally fighting the moment I walk into his shop, until the moment I leave.
It's kinda nice that (I think) we are both mature, and have fun with it.
Doug0 -
not too many places like that left. enjoy it while you can. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
My barber is a flaming 60's liberal, who went to college until the war was over.
We start verbally fighting the moment I walk into his shop, until the moment I leave.
It's kinda nice that (I think) we are both mature, and have fun with it.
Doug
I hope he doesn't cut a peace sign in the back of your head![:D]0 -
As a young pup LEO, back in the days before the term "homeless person" became PC, we had an old drunk who spent his time wandering the streets. He was a cantankerous little guy who didn't really give a rats azz what people thought and actually seemed to enjoy thumbing his nose at the world.
One day I stumbled upon some info that showed he'd been a decorated gunner on a bomber over Europe during WWII. I never asked directly, but opened the door for him by mentioning that I'd been in the 8th AF and my respect for the actions of our young WWII bomber crews. He never admitted even being in the military during the war, but he and I got along a bit differently after this.
He had family in the area, but they wouldn't have anything to do with him. When he finally died none would even come forward to handle this business. I stepped up and took care of him.
RIP Buck.0 -
Raupleminz and Txs, thanks. You both made my day. It saddens me to think about how the ranks of those WWII vets are thinning fast. 0 -
years ago my wifes cousin & her husband came for visit from california & jack & i hit it off real well..we got to talking & the stories rolled out ..he told about his 32 missions as a turret gunner over germany & how his twin brother who did the same didn't come back....noticed his wife looking over with a big ear while visiting with my wife who said after they left that she had never heard him talk about that.... when i was mid age there was an older fellow who lived by himself and was not in very good health ...we visited but i did not learn till he passed on that he had been badly wounded by machine gun fire, hid, then drug himself over a mile thru enemy lines over three days back to his own unit.....had boxes of medals in his little shack.....what bravery...wished i had visited more!!!! 0 -
Almost daily I come across WWII vets. Unfortunately it's in the
back of an ambulance. I'll ask them if they were in WWII and most
will sheepishly say yes. I then tell them I would be honored
to shake the hand of a hero. The looks on most of their faces is
priceless. As I shake their hand I tell them thank you for saving
my freedom and my families freedom. Most will actually tear up and
and tell me I'm welcome. I believe it makes their day. They are
dying off very quickly and before long none will be left.0 -
quote:Originally posted by divecop
Almost daily I come across WWII vets. Unfortunately it's in the
back of an ambulance. I'll ask them if they were in WWII and most
will sheepishly say yes. I then tell them I would be honored
to shake the hand of a hero. The looks on most of their faces is
priceless. As I shake their hand I tell them thank you for saving
my freedom and my families freedom. Most will actually tear up and
and tell me I'm welcome. I believe it makes their day. They are
dying off very quickly and before long none will be left.
I had a similar occurance, i am also a Firefighter/Paramedic and took a man in a few years ago during the middle of the night who was having cardiac problems. I noticed a Marine tatoo on his arm and saw all sorts of pictures up in his house. Once we got him in the ambulance i took it upon myself to thank him for his service. He stated that he was a Marine at Tarawa. We brought him to the hospital and parted ways. A few days later I saw in the obituaries that a local WW2 Marine vet had died whom had been a congressional medal of honor winner. It made me very happy that I decided to give this man the thank you he deserved.0 -
If you are around the WWII veterans enough, you will find that they rarely speak of their service unless asked. As I have heard, their are only 4 WW1 veterans left and only 1 who served in France. Unfortunately, their will be a time when WWII veterans will be in that group as we are loosing 1,500 a day. 0 -
One of the big reasons I love working at the Spruce Goose Museum is that almost all of the volunteers are vets - World War Two, Korea, Vietnam, Desert One, Panama, Grenada, Desert Storm and even a couple of young Guys that served in Bosnia.
The stories these Men tell are worth more than I can say.
Doug0 -
My barber is a Vietnam vet, and as I see him every week, we're getting to know one another. He also cuts the hair of a local WWII vet, a Marine who was taken prisoner by the Japs on Wake at the beginning of the war. Sgt Hicks (the POW) has come into my office a couple times, so I got a chance to talk to him. He brought his DD214 and I took a look at it. It has his service and everything documented. He's an incredible man. 0 -
Makes me miss my fatherinlaw he was in Africa.Anzio,and Normandy,
His unit was called the Ruptured ducks.He told me they suffered 90%
casualtys.Been gone 10 years now.Love walking the gun shows.<1FMJ>0
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