RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,158879,00.html
The last of the "X" Organization is gone.

He may be gone, but his heroism is a testiment to the man and the generation - as is what so many others of that generation gave.

What a life and generation for future generations to look too and try to live by.

Fair winds and Following Seas to Mr. Shand.

Patti

I just saw the movie last week on tv. Have seen it many times and with that their heroism will never be forgotten. There aren't enough thank you's to go around for what they did.

Another of our valiant WW-II vets makes the journey to the "Big Hangar In The Sky". May God bless him, his family and friends.

I have the Collectors additioon DVD of the Great Escape.. All cool. It was a great movie. The sequel was also good.

What a waste- one post said the movi was cool!- God save us- Here were men, 100's of miles behind enemy lines in camps, refusing to give up. Escaping among a hostile civilian population on the run and some paying for this heroism with their lives. These normal unassuming men had hugmoungus cajones and were heros everyone. We owe them a debt which can niot be repaid for not giving up without a fight and not staying down. Movies, sheesh, these were MEN! the Great geeration dies 1,000 a day- soon we will nto have anything but their recollections in writing. My prayers to the family and my thanks to the Kiwi!

rmy air Corps. It seems like a long time ago.
Yuge

quote:

Originally posted by lovatscot:
What a waste- one post said the movi was cool!- God save us- Here were men, 100's of miles behind enemy lines in camps, refusing to give up. Escaping among a hostile civilian population on the run and some paying for this heroism with their lives. These normal unassuming men had hugmoungus cajones and were heros everyone. We owe them a debt which can niot be repaid for not giving up without a fight and not staying down. Movies, sheesh, these were MEN! the Great geeration dies 1,000 a day- soon we will nto have anything but their recollections in writing. My prayers to the family and my thanks to the Kiwi!

If you don't like me post well suck it up. I limied it here do to other there posting in other forums. so .......Like it or Not.... get a life.

quote:

Originally posted by charleslennon:
RE: http://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,158879,00.html
The last of the "X" Organization is gone.

Perhaps not ... what the story says is that this was the last New Zealander of those who survived ... that still leaves a few Brits and Australians remaining, last I looked. No Americans participated, having been transferred before the escape took place, despite what the film portrayed.

It has been said many times before and needs to be said many times more, They were the greatest generation that ever lived. Nothing less and so much more. God bless them. I rather be living under Bush's rule than Hitler's anyday.

Rennsky

21 GUN SALUTE!

Try reading the book which I read about 35 years ago. It is real whereas the movie wasn't all that real. There was no one like McQueen's character at Stalag Luft III.

But what he went trough was a story into itself. Sorry to see these brave lads go away.

Next is to read the Colditz Story. Now that is a great escape story into itself.

quote:

Originally posted by 14555605:
It has been said many times before and needs to be said many times more, They were the greatest generation that ever lived. Nothing less and so much more. God bless them. I rather be living under Bush's rule than Hitler's anyday.

Rennsky

Me, too, but that isn't what you might call a high bar.

quote:

Originally posted by oldmole:

quote:

Originally posted by 14555605:
It has been said many times before and needs to be said many times more, They were the greatest generation that ever lived. Nothing less and so much more. God bless them. I rather be living under Bush's rule than Hitler's anyday.

Rennsky

Me, too, but that isn't what you might call a high bar.

I don't know my parents haved lived under both, and my Mom the more vocal of my parents, frankly sees not much of a difference between the two - especially in the early to middle years. I am talking politics and economics here not holocaust here - so let's not even get into that. Before anyone answers please go look at the the definition of facism.

The simplest one that I use is: Yes, business and industry is privately owned but the government tells you how to run it.

There is not that much bar as I can see from that perspective, but that is a different thread.

However, I am totally grateful to the greatness of this man's generation for getting us out from under Hitler.

Patti

A sad day for all those who served with "the greatest generation" and those of us who live free thanks to them.

SINE PARI = Without Equal

Such sacrifice from a generation that did not ever embarrass their country. I have read the book, saw the movie, and watched a special on PBS recently with 3 remaining survivors who actually returned to the stalag. They even dug up the third tunnel NEVER discovered by the nazis. AMAZING deeds of heroism. The same displayed everyday in Afghanistan and Iraq, and around the world by the Grandchildren of these same men. Now, why would anyone disgrace their heroic deeds with a comparison of the leader of the free world with Hitler? No freedom loving, NO Kiwi, No Brit, and or, ANY American that claims to be patriotic or true... ask any Afgani, or Paki or ... Patti, take your mom and go live in Iran or Sudan! Get a grip!

Retired Army Ranger of 20 years,
Stephen Costello
costello_13@msn.com

My father served with pride under General George Patton, (13th Armored Division "Black Cats") He and my mother gave up a life of teaching in Missouri to go to Brownwood Texas for his training to prepare him for war. They ate bologna and crackers every night for who knows how long, until he left with my mother beside him. And my Father, to the day he died had no regrets. He said that if he could do it again he would. Where has Patriotism gone? We have even been attacked on our own shores and people still dont get it. My heart felt thanks to the men that would not give up,even in the gravest of conditions. It is now our turn to wake up and support our troops and our mission so that our children, and children's children will be able to live in freedom the same as we have enjoyed, due to the sacrifices made by the brave men and women of the United States Military.

quote:

Originally posted by TheWildOne00:
Such sacrifice from a generation that did not ever embarrass their country. I have read the book, saw the movie, and watched a special on PBS recently with 3 remaining survivors who actually returned to the stalag. They even dug up the third tunnel NEVER discovered by the nazis. AMAZING deeds of heroism. The same displayed everyday in Afghanistan and Iraq, and around the world by the Grandchildren of these same men. Now, why would anyone disgrace their heroic deeds with a comparison of the leader of the free world with Hitler? No freedom loving, NO Kiwi, No Brit, and or, ANY American that claims to be patriotic or true... ask any Afgani, or Paki or ... Patti, take your mom and go live in Iran or Sudan! Get a grip!

Retired Army Ranger of 20 years,
Stephen Costello
costello_13@msn.com

Obviously you cannot read, I did not compare the leader of the free world to Hitler, I even said that I was talking politics though more correctly it would be economics,i.e. the definition of Facism in the context of governmental control of private enterprise. So that this can be perfectly clear let me quote my last sentence again:

"However, I am totally grateful to the greatness of this man's generation for getting us out from under Hitler."

Can you read that or do I need to make it bigger.

So before you insult my Mom or I - put on your glasses to insure you have a reason to do so!

You get a grip.

Frisco

Rest in peace Mr. Shand. To his family ... know that all of us are deeply in his, and the rest of his generation's, debt.