My Willys 3A and 3B Community

Rambling, Malarky, Rants, Etc. => Willys photo and story threads... => Topic started by: athawk11 on May 30, 2013, 10:45:55 AM

Title: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: athawk11 on May 30, 2013, 10:45:55 AM: My wife and I were invited to participate in the local Memorial Day Parade.ï¿½ During the parade prep, a Veteran of the Korean War named John asked if he could ride the parade route in my Willys.ï¿½ I told him thatï¿½s why I came and that I would be thrilled to have him.

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/athawk11/image_zpsf64032db.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/athawk11/media/image_zpsf64032db.jpg.html)

Here is a short video my wife took during the paradeï¿½

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZJ39RSx3s-A

Once the parade was over, we met another Veteran of WWII named Richard.ï¿½ His daughter offered to pay me to take her dad for a ride.ï¿½ I refused her money then made it clear that it would be my honor to take Richard for a ride.ï¿½ Here is the video of Richard getting into my Willys.ï¿½ Tears of joy rolled down the face of Richardï¿½s daughter as we drove away.ï¿½

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=5N7OToBmxyg

Both of these gentlemen were gracious and thankful to a fault.ï¿½ I had to continuously remind them that I am the one who is thankful for the sacrifices they made for me and my freedoms.ï¿½

This is a day I will never forget.

Tim

(http://i1195.photobucket.com/albums/aa397/athawk11/image_zps91522c12.jpg) (http://s1195.photobucket.com/user/athawk11/media/image_zps91522c12.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: BMIC on May 30, 2013, 12:41:24 PM: WOW... brought tears to my eyes Tim.

Every now and then someone posts the question " What is my Jeep worth"? I think the reply should be your video and the words its priceless!
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: F Bill on May 30, 2013, 07:20:37 PM: Any chance to make a veteran smile is worth it. I miss the parades I used to attend in my GPW. The Veterans I was able to carry were a whole lot of fun. Even if your jeep is not a genuine army jeep....go ahead and do it if you get the chance!!

Thanks, Tim, for putting up the post and videos, and for doing what most of us could not this Memorial day.
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: Bob W on May 30, 2013, 09:16:15 PM: Nice!! Thanks.
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: Ryan_M on May 30, 2013, 09:22:32 PM: Very cool.

"If we don't come back, don't worry about us...!"

Too funny!
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: athawk11 on May 30, 2013, 11:28:37 PM: Ryan,
What you couldn't hear was his follow up ..."if we don't come back, don't worry about us.ï¿½ We'll be at the bar!"ï¿½

What a great guy.ï¿½ He had me laughing the whole time.

These folks truly are the Greatest Generation.

Tim
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: macrisel on May 31, 2013, 09:35:46 AM: That is a great video. Thanks for posting!
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: Bedrock on May 31, 2013, 08:44:30 PM: What could be better than giving a little pleasure to a WW2 veteran on Memorial Day? Thanks for posting the videos, Tim.
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: Matto on June 01, 2013, 08:26:55 AM: Thanks for sharing those videos Tim, these guys are all heroes.
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: calvinhunt on June 02, 2013, 10:30:13 PM: Tim,
I'm a bit late getting to this great post, but I'm certainly glad I did. Most of our posts are fun and enjoyable, but your with the video of the uniformed veteran showed purpose and honor. Thanks. Really great.
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: athawk11 on June 03, 2013, 12:24:34 PM: Thanks to all of you that posted and took time to look. In my lifetime, there will be no remaining veterans from WWII. That is very sad. These people are a gold mine for what was really going on.

The history that will be lost is just as sad as the passing of the Greatest Generation.

Tim
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: gmcjr on June 04, 2013, 09:19:14 PM: Quote
Thanks to all of you that posted and took time to look.ï¿½ In my lifetime, there will be no remaining veterans from WWII. That is very sad.ï¿½ These people are a gold mine for what was really going on.

The history that will be lost is just as sad as the passing of the Greatest Generation.

Tim

Agreed Tim, it is very sad. My maternal grandfather joined the navy after Pearl Harbor, spent the next 4 years in a heavy cruiser's gun turret, would hardly ever talk about it, even when asked. After his death, I started to research his ship (USS Portland) and ask his closest friends about what they knew, I was very humbled. Also, knowing that his immense sacrifice for his country was just one of many more thousands, a debt we could never pay back. Thankfully, some light was brought in to the life of some old veterans last Monday. Thanks for posting Tim!! A big thumbs up!!!!
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: corpsman on February 17, 2015, 03:30:35 PM: awesome thread, and awesome M38!
Title: Re: Another Memorial Day Event
Post by: corpsman on February 17, 2015, 03:31:17 PM: awesome thread, and awesome M38! I am a veteran myself, and I always try to thank these older vets when I see them.