WWII and Korean vet

[Senior Citizen]

NOT either, both!

Last Thursday morning when I was in the lobby of my pain management doctor's office I just happened to notice an elderly gentleman sporting a walker and probably accompanied by his daughter who looked older than me.

He had on one of those "Commiss ary Mall" hats that said WWII and Korean Vet. As I waited in line to check in I wodered just how many of these ladies and gents we are lucky enough to still have with us.

As soon as I paid my $12 co-pay I walked straight to him and held out my hand to thank him for his service(s). He was about 5' 6" and frail and had on a pair of those wrap around sun glasses. He chuckled softly and said thank you and smiled as I sat down across from him.

I was a "work-in" so I had to wait for an opening. After about 15 minutes (a short wait) in comes one of those gals you see riding her scooter in WM's and bumping into things and people. Her momma checks her in as she rolls over next to the old gentleman and spins her scooter around to watch TV. She had only been in the building for a couple of minutes and then she starts complaining about it being too hot and she needed a "coke". She pissed and moaned the whole time he sat there and then into the time it took them to work me in.

While I was sitting on the exam table waiting for Napolean to come check my incision I thought more about the old man's time in service and wondered what "uncomfortablnesses" he had experienced in his life and what he had pushed into the back of his mind.

When I came out of the building to get in my truck I saw the old genleman and his daughter leave the parking lot in an old Crown Vic and he had a POW sticker on the left rear bumper.

I sit here now with tears in my eyes...........wishing I had spoken more to him...........

 

[imjin138]

Thank you for this post

 

[Old 44 Guy]

Most of my WW2 buddys are gone now. Still remember them talking [not often] about their service experiences. The old vet you tell about reminds me of some I've seen at my Doctors office.Not complaining like the young fat gal in the scooter.

 

[Senior Citizen]

Originally posted by Dick Rumbaugh:
Most of my WW2 buddys are gone now. .

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Well then, Mr. Rumbaugh, let me the the first one in this post/thread to say thank you so very much for the "uncomfortablenesses" you endured for all of us.

Lee

 

[InolaOK]

We are fortunate to have 4 WWII Combat Veterans in our VFW Post. They were recently honored at our monthly meeting with a short history of their campaigns and presented with their unit patch's framed/matted. Needless to say, not a dry eye in the membership during the reading and presentations. As a VFW Post we are truly blessed to have these heros among us.

 

[ingmansinc]

I have a retired Marine living near me that fought on Iwo Jima, in Korea, and in Viet Nam. I can't find the words that say thank you that even come close to the feelings I really feel. If you try to discuss this with them they usually say their fallen brothers deserve the praise. Most of us contribute to the success of our nation in one fashion or another even if it is as simple as good citizenship. I would like to take this opportunity to thank every American who strives everyday of his or her life to make our nation great.

 

[MKT]

My Dad is one of those who participated in both with the 82nd. Even after being seriously wounded during Operation Market Garden and spending 2 years at Fort Sam Houston rehabilitating he was ready to go to Korea. He actually talks less about Korea that he does WWII.

All he says about Korea is that is was stinking cold and he left nothing there but his friends. He'll be 85 in a fortnight.

 

[oldfella]

Senior Citizen - Thank you for your insight and thoughtfulness.

Pete

 

[Senior Citizen]

Originally posted by oldfella:
Senior Citizen - Thank you for your insight and thoughtfulness.

Pete

xxxxxxxxxxxx
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You're welcome.

I'm glad I could contribute more than the usual jokes from my email.

SC
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[truckermike]

Ill paraphrase Rush: My generation owes them a debt we can never repay.

 

[Racegunner]

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to "The United States of America", for an amount of "up to and including my life."

 

[diamonback68]

I was a little too young for WWII, but I did make it through Korea. I belong to the VFW, but we don't talk about it much there.

 

[jondar]

I wasn't in the Korean War but was stationed there for a while. It was not a "conflict" as those who would rewrite history proclaim. And I can vouch that the weather there was cold. If you would like to know what it was really like, I would invite you to read "
The Coldest Winter" by David Halberstam, his last book before being tragically killed. What those boys suffered under MacArthur in the early days of the war and the tragic drive and retreat from the Chosin Reservoir area is unbelievable. I have read it three times and really recommend it.