“Wars damage the civilian society as much as they damage the enemy. Soldiers never get over it.” ~ Paul Fussell We all have two people inside of us, one that is who we are and one that is who we can be. But what if who we can be gets interrupted, by the call to arms of war or any kind of trauma leaving a long lasting and undetected silent imprint on our souls? The attached photos show my father…..
These Boots Were Made For Walking And That’s Just What They’ll Do And One of These Days These Boots Are Going To Walk All Over You… The paratroopers did just that when landing into Normandy and Holland in the year 1944. The United States’ Airborne Soldiers were one of the most specialized group of individuals during World War Two and were equipped and uniformed as such. Their overall combat uniform was the M-1942 Paratrooper Uniform, which consisted of the M42…..
The guard takes 21 steps during his walk across the the tomb of the unknown. The 21 steps alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary He hesitates for 21 seconds after his about face to begin his return walk. His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle which is carried on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path, he executes…..
“A lot of people ask me, you know, do I miss much about being president. The answer really [is] no, [but] I do miss saluting men and women who volunteer to defend our nation during war. Many are coming home and are preparing for new missions as civilians. And I intend to salute these men and women for the rest of my life … And through the Military Service Initiative, the [George W.] Bush Institute is going to help [them],”…..
Patrick Lms’ grandfather, Hendrik (Henk) Hoogendoorn was born on the 1st of February 1921 in Holland. He was just 19 years of age when the German paratroopers dropped down from the sky on the 10th of May 1940 and marked the start of the Second World War in the Netherlands. His grandfather had to report himself on the 14th of May in 1943 and was sent as forced labor to Germany to work for the Third Reich’s war industry. Forced…..
It is spring 1945 in Germany. PFC Leo Martin (502nd PIR Co C, 101st Airborne) is on patrol carrying a heavy machine gun. Twenty-year old PFC Martin is 5’7 140 lbs and he’s lagging at the back of the patrol. His squad gets farther ahead of him and rounds a curve and he’s by himself. All of a sudden out of the woods a German soldier runs up to him with his hands up. PFC Martin points his machine gun…..
This is a wonderful photo depicting the state of affairs in Holland during WWIi and present day in 2014. I wonder what my 101st Airborne father would think of all the incredible technology of today. He certainly would have loved the communication advancement since his passing in 1999. I remember Dad saying, “the Dutch were among the bravest people I ever met.” This year marks the 70th anniversary of D-Day, Operation Market Garden and December 44 Museum – The Battle…..
It is only after the passing of my veteran father and publishing his wartime letters, that I now as a mature woman at 62 years of age appreciate both the greatness of my father and the silent struggles he battled. His letters have allowed me to offer greater love and compassion to others impacted by what is now known as post traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. I don’t like the term “disorder” and wish we could refer to this as…..
My father’s WWII wartime letters sent to his then sweetheart and future wife, my mother were somehow miraculously preserved, considering they were in plain sight during my childhood years. As a 101st Airborne paratrooper, he wrote letters to maintain some kind of connection and link to keep his sanity. I would sometimes pull out a letter or two as a little girl, but I never got past the opening “hello darling or sweetheart,” without giggling and placing them back in…..
I lost 4 uncles in WWII. I never had the chance to meet them but my mom’s stories kept them in my heart. I will always give honor and thankfulness to all veterans of war and to those who continue on fighting for our freedom and our constitution. ~ Sharon Pratt Comes A Soldier’s Whisper sends thanks of gratitude to Sharon Pratt for sharing this memory and sentiment. May God bless her family for their service to our country and…..
