I got this today in an email. If you know someone who was a WWII vet, this is a good post and song. My dad was a WWII vet (USMC).

Read the story first then listen to the song by clicking on the link. Get your hanky's out....

http://www.managedmusic.com/Music/PlayBeforeYouGo.php

Please visit the site and watch the video and listen to the music. Our older veterans do not get the recognition they deserve, and they deserve all the attention they can get. Before You Go The older parking lot attendant wasn't in a good mood! Neither was Sam Bierstock. It was around 1 a.m., and Bierstock, a DelrayBeach, Fla. , eye doctor, business consultant, corporate speaker and musician, was bone tired after appearing at an event. He pulled up in his car, and the parking attendant began to speak. "I took two bullets for this country and look what I'm doing," he said bitterly. At first, Bierstock didn't know what to say to the World War II veteran. But he rolled down his window and told the man, "Really, from the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you." Then the old soldier began to cry. "That really got to me," Bierstock says. Cut to today. Bierstock, 58, and John Melnick, 54, of Pompano Beach - a member of Bierstock's band, Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Band - have written a song inspired by that old soldier in the airport parking lot. The mournful "Before You Go" does more than salute those who fought in WWII. It encourages people to go out of their way to thank the aging warriors before they die. "If we had lost that particular war, our whole way of life would have been shot," says Bierstock, who plays harmonica. "The WW II soldiers are now dying at the rate of about 2,000 every day. I thought we needed to thank them." The song is striking a chord. Within four days of Bierstock placing it on the Web, the song and accompanying photo essay have bounced around nine countries, producing tears and heartfelt thanks from veterans, their sons and daughters and grandchildren. "It made me cry," wrote one veteran's son. Another sent an e-mail saying that only after his father consumed several glasses of wine would he discuss "the unspeakable horrors" he and other soldiers had witnessed in places such as Anzio, Iwo Jima, Bataan and Omaha Beach. "I can never thank them enough," the son wrote. "Thank you for thinking about them." Bierstock and Melnick thought about shipping it off to a professional singer, maybe a Lee Greenwood type, but because time was running out for so many veterans, they decided it was best to release it quickly, for free, on the Web. They've sent the song to Sen. John McCain and others in Washington. Already they have been invited to perform it in Houston for a Veterans Day tribute - this after just a few days on the Web. They hope every veteran in America gets a chance to hear it. GOD BLESS every EVERY veteran... and THANK you to those of you veterans who may receive this !

My late husband was on the MENARD when the ship went into Nagaski 3 days after the A bomb was dropped. He did of cancer in 1999. Before he died he'd go the the MENARD reunions, the men would stand around and talk. 46 men had cancer and were dying of it. I don't know about the others. Sad that we don't revere such men

My Dad is a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and fought in the South Pacific theater during the Second World War.

All throughout my childhood, Dad would NEVER talk about his experiences or even thoughts about that war. All I ever knew came from his waking nightmares where he would shout up a storm just before waking up in a cold sweat.

Now, Dad is 82 and being treated for Alzheimers Disease. His short-term memory is kaput but his long-term memory seems better than ever. What's more, he's now talking openly about his wartime experiences with extreme clearity.

I recently took him down the museum at Travis Air Force Base. Before a large wall map of the South Pacific area, Dad pointed out the places he was stationed (he was an Enlisted Navigator on Marine B-25 light bombers) and some of his mission areas.

Dad can barely remember what he said 10 minutes ago but he can point to and describe all the features on a WWII era bombsight. When we approached a display of old aircraft engines, before even reading the signs, he told me exactly the names of each engine and which type of aircraft it was used on.

Here, I am receiving valuable instruction in history and the psychology and physiology of aging.

Dad has agreed to allow me to conduct a formal interview of his wartime experiences of which I'll transcribe on paper and share with the rest of the family. I was trained in conducting these personal history projects at the university but have not had to opportunity to use it much.

A copy of the transcript will also be sent to National Museum of the Marine Corps and archival facilities at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego (where Dad received his basic training in 1943) and Marine Corps HQ.

I agree that since the WWII generation is going fast, now is the time to gleen from their memories while we still can and especially assure them that their sacrafices was well worth it.

mw


SGT Will Wood outside a B-25 Mitchell Light Bomber.


SGT Will Wood by the squadron.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: MarcusLeftcoastus,

quote:

Originally posted by MarcusLeftcoastus:
My Dad is a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and fought in the South Pacific theater during the Second World War.

All throughout my childhood, Dad would NEVER talk about his experiences or even thoughts about that war. All I ever knew came from his waking nightmares where he would shout up a storm just before waking up in a cold sweat.

Now, Dad is 82 and being treated for Alzheimers Disease. His short-term memory is kaput but his long-term memory seems better than ever. What's more, he's now talking openly about his wartime experiences with extreme clearity.

I recently took him down the museum at Travis Air Force Base. Before a large wall map of the South Pacific area, Dad pointed out the places he was stationed (he was an Enlisted Navigator on Marine B-25 light bombers) and some of his mission areas.

Dad can barely remember what he said 10 minutes ago but he can point to and describe all the features on a WWII era bombsight. When we approached a display of old aircraft engines, before even reading the signs, he told me exactly the names of each engine and which type of aircraft it was used on.

Here, I am receiving valuable instruction in history and the psychology and physiology of aging.

Dad has agreed to allow me to conduct a formal interview of his wartime experiences of which I'll transcribe on paper and share with the rest of the family. I was trained in conducting these personal history projects at the university but have not had to opportunity to use it much.

A copy of the transcript will also be sent to National Museum of the Marine Corps and archival facilities at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego (where Dad received his basic training in 1943) and Marine Corps HQ.

I agree that since the WWII generation is going fast, now is the time to gleen from their memories while we still can and especially assure them that their sacrafices was well worth it.

mw

Mark,

Great pics of your dad!

Your description of your dad almost fits mine to the "T". Close to the same age, USMC, Pacific theater, Alzheimers, no short-term memory, only long-term, wouldn't talk about his war years until recently. One instance he finally talked about was shooting at an enemy soldier and watching him fall. Another was how an explosion (mortor or grenade) blew up near him and wounded him. I never heard those stories before, nor did I expect him to have experienced those events. I knew he received a PH but didn't know how. Some stories my mom never heard either and they were married in 1951. Years ago whenever I asked he would get a funny look on his face and always change the subject. Nowadays he doesn't seem to mind talking about them. Maybe he has come to terms with it?? I think he was 16 or 17 when he enlisted in late 1944 or early 1945. His mom and dad died early and he lived with his uncle who signed for him to enter.

John,

One thing I've done since moving Dad up here to northern California is taking him to places where there's other WWII and Korea Vets. Where dad never before wanted to get involved, he can now carry an unblievable bull session with fellow Vets which, I'm sure does him a world of good and for me, oh, the stuff I'm learning about the personal side to the war. Enough to write a book with, I think.

Just remember that our Dads will have good days as well as bad. Enjoy them during the good and endure with them during the bad days, never taking what they may say as personal, even if it is directed at us. It is the way I would want to be treated if I were in that position because, all too soon, they will only be memories.

Best wishes,

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MarcusLeftcoastus:
John,

One thing I've done since moving Dad up here to northern California is taking him to places where there's other WWII and Korea Vets. Where dad never before wanted to get involved, he can now carry an unblievable bull session with fellow Vets which, I'm sure does him a world of good and for me, oh, the stuff I'm learning about the personal side to the war. Enough to write a book with, I think.

Just remember that our Dads will have good days as well as bad. Enjoy them during the good and endure with them during the bad days, never taking what they may say as personal, even if it is directed at us. It is the way I would want to be treated if I were in that position because, all too soon, they will only be memories.

Best wishes,

Mark

Your right. Nancy Reagan said it best, "It's the long goodbye". Make the most of it....

Not that my situation is special, well, it is special to me: My father was a veteran of WWII ('44-'45- mostly guarding German POWs) and Korea, where he saw more combat action than WWII. He retired after 23 years. My mother was also a veteran of WWII-a young woman caught up between the Fascists in Italy, then the Germans when Italy capitulated, and then the Yugoslav Partisans towards the end of the war. Her best friend was killed by British/American bombs dropped from planes, and she would have died also if she had not listened to her mother's instructions during air raids: "get your butt to the nearest air raid tunnel!!" Her friend ran home instead, and, well, was killed. After the war, her homeland (Istria) was ceded to Tito and the Yugoslav Commies, so she had to become a refugee in Italy, where she met my Dad. The rest is history. God bless all of our families from the WWII-era; there will NEVER be a breed like them ever again, sad to say, IMHO.

My father in law is a WWII vet and through some of the old salts here at Fred's I was able to get him in touch with the other known living crew member of his ship! Great post and thanks Fred's Place!

My husband Floyd was in WW2, he ran a lsnding craft, all of my uncles were in too. My dad couldn't go because he ran a tug boat to essential installations and he had 4 kids.