Freedom isn't Free

[OldManPilot]

This past weekend I had the pleasure to attend the reunion of the 461st Bomb Group from WWII. It was an honor and a privelage to meet and talk with these gentlemen and their wives. To hear them tell their stories of missions and the total comitment to the war effort was truly inspiring. The stories from the wives tell of their working and waiting to see their husbands and sweathearts was also quite moving.

While taking one of the tours of Washington DC, we stopped at the WWII memorial. I watch the faces of these men as they walked around the beautiful memorial and I realized that as they walked around reading the quotes engraved on the walls they they were paying tribute to those left behind, while the rest of us were paying tribute to those still with us.

This truly was "The Greatest Generation".

On Sunday morning they had their Memorial breakfast which was presided by a resently retired Army Colonel chaplain. His remarks were quite moving. He reminded those of us that were not in the military of the fact that Freedom is not Free. It is paid for by the blood of those who have died and continue to die so that we can have the freedoms that we enjoy. They ended the service by reading the names of the airmen and members of the 461st that have died in the past year. It was difficult not to shed tears at the fact that soon all these brave men will be gone.

I guess the reason I am writing this here, on this forum is to remind us all while we walk through the airport and see these elderly gentlemen,with their WWII hats with pins attached to them, that we take a moment to thank them for what they did for all of us. Just a quick word means so much to each of them.

God Bless America

 

[flying4food]

How true, it is neat to talk to some of those old timers. They were real men!! Without their brave sacrifices, we would speaking German or Japanese!!!

I'm drinking a toast to them now!!!

 

[idratherfly4283]

freedom costs a buck oh five

 

[Dangerkitty]

freedom costs a buck oh nine

Actually you need to re-listen to the song. Freedom costs a buck oh FIVE

 

[bobs98tlr]

I guess the reason I am writing this here, on this forum is to remind us all while we walk through the airport and see these elderly gentlemen,with their WWII hats with pins attached to them, that we take a moment to thank them for what they did for all of us. Just a quick word means so much to each of them.

God Bless America

Isnt that the truth..ive wanted to do that to many men that i have seen but have only talked with a few...others have been busy with family members and such...Damn, day by day we are loosing the REAL men. Sure hope i get more chances to let them know how much they are appriciated. Those boys have been to hell and back.

 

[cynic]

Greatest generation? Rampant racism, sexism, gay bashing… unprecedented economic growth during their lifetimes… Those guys had it easy and those times were great so long as you were a white male. Try buying a house now on the same income adjusted for inflation.

 

[TNPILOT]

cynic you must be gay...shut the f up.

 

[BLing]

Greatest generation? Rampant racism, sexism, gay bashing… unprecedented economic growth during their lifetimes… Those guys had it easy and those times were great so long as you were a white male. Try buying a house now on the same income adjusted for inflation.

Shut the hell up! The "evil white men" that founded this country are the reason why we have freedom and have it so good. Its people like you that are going to ruin it for the rest of us!

On another note, I always go up to vets and thank them for what they have done. That just makes their day. They also have some of the best stories to tell. If I could go back, I would have flown in WWII. Thats when men where men and pilots were pilots!

 

[BLing]

cynic you must be gay...shut the f up.

I was going to say the same thing, but tried to be a little nicer about it. But thank you for stating my thoughts!

 

[OldManPilot]

Greatest generation? Rampant racism, sexism, gay bashing… unprecedented economic growth during their lifetimes… Those guys had it easy and those times were great so long as you were a white male. Try buying a house now on the same income adjusted for inflation.

your insults only leave you looking naive and ignorant

 

[Dangerkitty]

Greatest generation? Rampant racism, sexism, gay bashing

How would you know? Unless of course you are a black female who is also a lesbian.

 

[skydivinguy]

Greatest generation? Rampant racism, sexism, gay bashing… unprecedented economic growth during their lifetimes… Those guys had it easy and those times were great so long as you were a white male. Try buying a house now on the same income adjusted for inflation.

get back in the closet fool!

 

[cynic]

Hey now, I never said I wasn’t thankful for our vets. I was just pointing out something about a GENERATION. Geez…. Oh.. and I forgot to mention they are the only ones to really receive the full benefits of our nation's social welfare; Social Security. Now our generation, we’ve got to work for everything and probably till we die. Not many of you will retire at 65.

I personally think our greatest generation was the next one. The ones that rebelled against the man, their parents and social institutions for justice. Now that was a great generation.

Just food for thought, would fewer people have died if we just let Hitler and Tojo run their course. About 66 million people died in WWII What if we left Tojo and Hitler alone, and their governments collapsed 20 years later (like the soviet union) and only 30 million people died in death camps?

 

[Dangerkitty]

Just food for thought, would fewer people have died if we just let Hitler and Tojo run their course. About 66 million people died in WWII What if we left Tojo and Hitler alone, and their governments collapsed 20 years later (like the soviet union) and only 30 million people died in death camps?

Neville Chamberlain, is that you?

 

[BLing]

What would happen if we wiped out the middle east??? No more terrorists and cheaper fuel prices! Just food for thought!

 

[Redan]

Greatest Loser

Greatest generation? Rampant racism, sexism, gay bashing… unprecedented economic growth during their lifetimes… Those guys had it easy and those times were great so long as you were a white male. Try buying a house now on the same income adjusted for inflation.

I don't comment often, but this "Cynic" person's brain must be deferred. Generally, I've found pilots to be above average of intellect. Here we see a notable exception...assuming this person really is a pilot.

How dare this "Cynic" person bring his audacious remarks onto a thread honoring those who have made such unmeasurable sacrifice. The aforementioned "Greatest Generation" knew sacrifice and accomplishment this "Cynic" person cannot conceive of. The veterans of the 461st Bombardment Group are a national treasure, as are all WWII vets. The members of the "Greatest Generation" are giants, the caliber of which may never be seen again. IMHO, this "Cynic"...person, is a giant piss ant, a national embarassment.

 

[Dangerkitty]

I don't comment often, but this "Cynic" person's brain must be deferred. Generally, I've found pilots to be above average of intellect. Here we see a notable exception...assuming this person really is a pilot.

How dare this "Cynic" person bring his audacious remarks onto a thread honoring those who have made such unmeasurable sacrifice. The aforementioned "Greatest Generation" knew sacrifice and accomplishment this "Cynic" person cannot conceive of. The veterans of the 461st Bombardment Group are a national treasure, as are all WWII vets. The members of the "Greatest Generation" are giants, the caliber of which may never be seen again. IMHO, this "Cynic"...person, is a giant piss ant, a national embarassment.

Cynic is a tool who wouldn't have the balls to say what he is posting here to any of the veterans in person.

Just another little anonymous dork talking tough on a message board.

 

[dingo222]

I Agree, we owe the "old hats" a lot. I was a paratropper for 12 yrs in Haiti, bosnia, kosovo, Iraq and other great vacation spots and i'm still humbled when i meet one of these men. Their courage and sacrafice molded the world and freedom as we know it today. I spend a day every year volunteering at VA hospitals just talking to these men and helping out. It's a real eye opener every year. Maybe as a vet i appreciate it more, but doubtful. It chaps my ass to hear others bash this country or vets, but i have to look at my scars and remember that "this is what I and countless others have bled for." my 2 cents worth..............................

 

[arthompson]

Dingo: as someone who was medically unable to serve I want to thank you for your service to this country and to us.

 

[Redan]

Ditto

Dingo, I would also like to express my gratitude.