Which historic military sites have been the most memorable for you?

I never really got to visit any. I was stationed in Nuremberg Germany from 1970 to 1973 with the U.S .Army 3rd Bn 17th Arty, a 8in self propelled M108. battalion, 12 guns. and a Hq Battery and a Service battery. I was an Artillery Surveyor, Forward Observer, like an Artillery Recon? We were there with the 2nd Armored cav. Patroled the CZecH Border.The Place was called Merrill Barracks. it was the old SS Kasserne where the German troops stayed for the Nuremberg rallies which were held just down the street which was still there, Pattons 3td Army fought the last defenders there in April of 1945 now fixed, Then it was still pot marked with bullet and shell holes still in the brick and granite building. The four floors stairwell railings painted black to cover the swastikas in the scroll work. In the Chapel there was a marbel floor covered with a carpet. On cleaning detail we moved some pews and rolled the carpet back. Inlaid in the marbel floor was a swastika. That was Hitlers Office when he was in town. The trolley only goes under ground there in the whole city, Hitler didn't like the noise. While walking about six blocks down the street to go Down town I found a spent .50 cal round laying by the curb. It layed there 26 years before I picked it up. Still got it. Many walls had filled in spots where you could see where a shot string had hit the wall. Also found many concrete bunkers in the woods, In Grafenwohr which was a German Army training grounds we practiced there also with Artillery. and with the West German Army. There were many bunkers and oberservation towers left from the war. The German people were very friendly especially when you got away from the big cities near big U.S.military Bases were. too many bad apples screwed it up. Id go back if I could. But Most has changed. Love to go to Gettysburg, Lexington and Concord...Thanks

I enjoy visiting Civil War sites and have been to Gettysburg 7 or 8 times, Vicksburg, Shiloh, Antietam, Stones River, Manassas, Chattanooga, Jefferson Davis Memorial, and another half dozen lesser known sites where good men fought and died. Visited the D.C. memorials numerous times. The most significant time was when I brought my stepfather, a Marine in the Pacific during WWII, to the Iwo Jima Memorial. We walked around it but when I said, "Cliff, this is dedicated to YOU TOO!", I could see a change in his face as he realized it was! I've been to South Korea, on exercise with the 1/21 Inf Bn, 25th Inf Div. (in the 70's). Sobering reality witnessing a country armed and ready to fight at any moment! With all that said, I've visited the Alamo several times. As all sites where Americans paid the ultimate price, this is "holy ground". When I contemplate roughly 200 + or -, non-military types, surrounded by a combat-tested army ten times their size....I'm completely blown away! What goes through a man's mind, facing certain death, looking out at the men gathered there to crush him?! The determination, the bravery, the love of a country not yet born, the camaraderie.......what?! I am simply awed.....

WWI France is a tour I would love to go on. The Argonne, The Somme, and some of the other needless bloodbaths that proclaimed WWI. Gettysburg? Fabulous. But one of the most somber was Cold Harbor. The distances between the trenches was a matter of feet at some points in the line. Grant is quoted as saying something to the effect that he wished he had not ordered that attack on Confederate forces. Thousands died in that attack. It was said that you could walk from one line to the opposing line without touching the ground.

So many places mean so much in different ways, especially the national cemeteries. But for me it has to be the tomb of the unknown soldier. The respect and professionalism of the Old Guard and the fact that the unknown soldier is never left alone is powerful.

I had the opportunity to visit the Vietnam Memorial on Memorial Day. There were thousands of bikers that were Vietnam Vets there. After paying their respects they all went to their Bikes that were all set up in platoon formation. it was completely silent and all of the sudden the leader of each group gave the rally point signal then all of the engines started at once then the move out signal was given and they all rolled out. It was one of the most powerful moments I have ever experienced.

Wow that's a great question! Like many military persons I enjoyed going to places of past wars. The Black Forest was maybe the most intense for me. It was to if you listened closely you could hear the soldiers that have march through, fought and died there from wars over the centuries.

Hard choice, but The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a very special place for me. I was a sentinel and relief commander there for May 66 until April 68.

This country and our military have a lot of amazing history to explore but nothing beats Arlington National Cemetery for me. Having the good fortune to have my last assignment in DC and then retire here in the area, I like to visit several times every year.

Gettysburg really moved me. I saw the place where Pickett's Run happened. It was early morning and there was fog on the ground, it really looked surreal. It took my breath away. until Valhalla, my brothers.

For me and other michiganders, it might have to be historic Fort Wayne in Detroit. In all my Army travels, I was never close to any memorials over seas. I was also in the Navy, and have been to some of the islands like Midway and Wake, passing the wrecks of WWII that still lay where they were sunk. I don't think there is more of a memorial than that of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor Hawaii, where over 1000 sailors and marines. It will show the true cost of freedom.