DarrylS

My ex neighbor is now 91, WWII Vet who was in all 5 major battles in the European Theater(not sure why we call it that)... and is now in stage III Mesothelemoia. They took his license last year, and now is pretty much housebound and reliant on others to get to where he needs to go.

I do not thank him for his service, as that is patronizing and somewhat condescending.. he knows how much I admire what he did, somethings are better left unsaid.

He started off in Artillery, and switched over to 101st Airborne.. never press him on his experience in war. Coincidentally currently reading , "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand(an excellent read) which offered an excellent segway into some of his war time stuff. In all of our conversations over the years there are a couple of things that reallly stick out; the battle of Hurtgen Forest, the liberating of a concentration camp and waiting on the sidelines for Russian forces to march into Berlin while they raped and pillaged.

Aside from his experience, he always comments on why are we still in many of these wars, he cannot understand Iraq or Afghanistan. He cannot understand Korea... in the past he told me that he would not have gone to war if he did not have to, and he has great disdain for the favored sons who got cushy assignments.. most wars are fought by poor, non connected kids.

We did a few errands, got his girlfriend a Xmas Card.. and on the way home started commenting on "queers" in the service, and how they used to beat the crap out of them when he was on active duty.. he is afraid of getting molested in a fox hole.. without regard a very good day. This will probably be his last Christmas.. as he goes back to the Doctor today, and he indicated he can feel himself getting sicker every day.

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

Interesting story, Darryl, thanks.

We're going to Indiana to see my mother (she's 87) today.....I am going to ask her how she feels about the repeal of DADT. It'll be interesting to get her reaction. My dad was a WWII vet and I honestly don't think we ever discussed gays - in or out of the military. He was a very kind person to all individuals he met - but stubborn about holding onto stereotypes in his general world view. He was a Republican all of his life, I think - he would get angry every year because he thought my mother's vote cancelled his out.

My mom's pretty liberal - I think she'll be ok with the repeal - but then again, she surprises me sometimes.

I'll ask my kids, too, and see what the "younger generation" thinks. We span 'em all, so it's always illuminating to hear their opinions and her opinions and compare them to our own.

Have a good holiday, everyone.

Harry Boy

Things Change
Nothing Is Forever
But I Think There Will Always Be War
We Are Members Of The Animal Society
Animals Fight (soccer games)
Many Of Us Even Look Like Animals
I Once Worked With A Man Who Looked Just Like A Dog
So Did His Wife Somehow They Found Each Other
DADT Will Straighten Itself Out

__________________
Harry Boy (Genius)

In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself

Mrs.PatsFanInVa

No pun intended.

Harry Boy

Exactly...........

__________________
Harry Boy (Genius)

In The Absence Of Law And Order Society Will Surely Destroy Itself