model70hunter
Member
Uncle John is still alive. He knows not who he is nor who you are even if you were a favored relative. Beyond Dementia is a terrible waste land. My Dad went this way and then to his reward a few years ago. Now Uncle John, my Mothers next older Brother is here but gone. Just like my Dad you have your hooks in Uncle John. Altziemers, may you rot in Hades when you are finally called.
Someone asked about High Standards 22's yesterday, I remembered how Uncle John gifted me his High Standard Sport King, the only handgun he ever owned. When I went by his house to pick it up we visited and talked about everything but the Sport King.
He relayed memories of his childhood, leaving home and going to St. Louis to work construction before WW 2. He hitch hiked the 125 miles and it took 2 days. He brought up WW2, what he did and how he was injured. The family did not know his story, it was his, maybe the changes he was feeling inside from Dementia was him prompting to tell it.
He was drafted into the Army and was sent to Drivers training. His company and all equipment went to the South Pacific. Before they reached one island all the vehicles were pushed overboard and the GI's were issued M1's and were told they did not need trucks to fight. They went a shore and fought up the side of a mountain. He was the company commanders driver and even with out a jeep they went uphill side by side. Late in the day they all stopped to eat, Uncle John and the Company Commander were sitting by a large tree, a Japaneses rifle grenade or mortar hit the tree between them. The Company Commander perished immediately, part of Uncle Johns skill was blown away. He would pass out each time he tried to stand, they took him to the beach and he was carried towards a landing craft to go to a ship.
Some Japanese planes arrived and strafed the beach, the Litter Bearers set Uncle John down and ran. He said American Planes arrived and he laid on the beach watching the dog fights until the Japanese left. He had a plate put in his skull and it took 1.5 years for him to recover. While in rehab he reflected on what career would be best after the War, he chose TV repair and went on the GI bill. It worked for him, he was in the business early and got rich.
John remembered his Company Commander by name and said he was one of the nicest fellows you would ever meet. John said he later thought how odd that less than 1 full day in combat he was injured forever and his CO was gone forever.
Someone asked about High Standards 22's yesterday, I remembered how Uncle John gifted me his High Standard Sport King, the only handgun he ever owned. When I went by his house to pick it up we visited and talked about everything but the Sport King.
He relayed memories of his childhood, leaving home and going to St. Louis to work construction before WW 2. He hitch hiked the 125 miles and it took 2 days. He brought up WW2, what he did and how he was injured. The family did not know his story, it was his, maybe the changes he was feeling inside from Dementia was him prompting to tell it.
He was drafted into the Army and was sent to Drivers training. His company and all equipment went to the South Pacific. Before they reached one island all the vehicles were pushed overboard and the GI's were issued M1's and were told they did not need trucks to fight. They went a shore and fought up the side of a mountain. He was the company commanders driver and even with out a jeep they went uphill side by side. Late in the day they all stopped to eat, Uncle John and the Company Commander were sitting by a large tree, a Japaneses rifle grenade or mortar hit the tree between them. The Company Commander perished immediately, part of Uncle Johns skill was blown away. He would pass out each time he tried to stand, they took him to the beach and he was carried towards a landing craft to go to a ship.
Some Japanese planes arrived and strafed the beach, the Litter Bearers set Uncle John down and ran. He said American Planes arrived and he laid on the beach watching the dog fights until the Japanese left. He had a plate put in his skull and it took 1.5 years for him to recover. While in rehab he reflected on what career would be best after the War, he chose TV repair and went on the GI bill. It worked for him, he was in the business early and got rich.
John remembered his Company Commander by name and said he was one of the nicest fellows you would ever meet. John said he later thought how odd that less than 1 full day in combat he was injured forever and his CO was gone forever.
