Amazing story of a WW2 Veteran who spent his last full day on earth in his WWII Army uniform

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:50:07 -0500

What a story. We are loosing out World War 2 Veterans so quickly. We must remember them, learn from them and make sure that we pass along their history and heritage, which is our history and heritage, in doing so they live on.

http://www.news10.com/story/27366367/wwii-veteran-passes-away-in-scotia-with-wife-by-his-side

WWII veteran passes away in Scotia with wife by his side

A World War II veteran passed away Wednesday at the Baptist Health Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Scotia.

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2014 10:54 PM

CPO Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 22:54:53 -0500

Thank you for this. A great man and a great story.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Nov 12 at 2014 11:09 PM

PO2 Jonathan Scharff — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 23:09:51 -0500

Awesome story! This is how we should all go out...98 years old, wearing our service uniform and saluting everyone on our last day! Rest in peace soldier. Your service is done...we have the watch.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2014 10:34 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 10:34:22 -0500

Touching story.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Nov 13 at 2014 10:57 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 10:57:22 -0500

I had the great pleasure to watch a hockey game on Tuesday with a LTCDR from World War II and while a stroke left him unable to speak the small smile that this man had when we handed him a ticket to join us in the box was loud enough to fill the arena. His wife started to cry as we escorted him to the box. When we got there, I asked her why was she crying and she told me that up until this day, she felt people had forgotten about what he has done and to see a bunch of younger Veterans give him the respect that he has earned just moved her.

We are truly losing a national treasure each and every day that these men and women pass away. The things we have been able to learn from them is worth more than any amount of money. The images their words paint are better than any picture hanging in an art gallery. Their stories can fill any book store. These men and women took the United States Military from what was the military and transformed it into a professional fighting force. The brotherhood they showed needs to be remembered. Their ability to see a problem and to work along sides other to correct sets the example for us all.

I for one hope that by doing what I did while in the service and what I continue to do for Veterans now brings some honor to the memories of these brave men and women.

Response by SSG John Erny made Nov 13 at 2014 11:10 AM

SSG John Erny — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 11:10:20 -0500

That is an outstanding tribute to a great man!
I remember meeting some WW1 vets as a kid. They were still hurting after all that time, one guy was gassed. I will not repeat his opinion of Germany, but I do respect his right to have that opinion.

Response by SGT Frank Leonardo made Nov 13 at 2014 5:18 PM

SGT Frank Leonardo — Thu, 13 Nov 2014 17:18:48 -0500

I found it to be cool and what a honor he had in his life. Yes he did pass history as passing amazing.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2014 2:27 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 14:27:55 -0500

He is a hero. Deny me anyone that?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 14 at 2014 7:42 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:42:33 -0500

Thank you so much for posting this SCPO Private RallyPoint Member. Greatest Generation RESPECT! Fly with the angels, older brother. Where did I put my hankey?

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 14 at 2014 7:49 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 19:49:49 -0500

Quite a few members responded that they spent the day visiting veterans in retirement homes for their traditional Veterans Day. Just hearing that "made this grinch's heart grow 3 sizes that day". What a great tradition.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Nov 14 at 2014 10:41 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 14 Nov 2014 22:41:41 -0500

I have a lot of great respect for WWII Veterans. There are not too many left. Our church lost a great friend and WWII Veteran about 8 yrs ago. He served during the harshest ties in WWII too. Thanks for sharing this story SCPO Private RallyPoint Member

Response by PO2 David Wagner made Nov 21 at 2014 2:38 PM

PO2 David Wagner — Fri, 21 Nov 2014 14:38:26 -0500

I am a member of an AMVETS color guard and we wear period correct uniforms from whenever we were on active duty. My Coast Guard uniforms are from 1967 and yes they still fit. We are particularly busy around Veterans Day attending various celebrations of the memorial. We are for the most part a group of old timers ranging from the Korean War until the end of Vietnam although we occasionally we have TDY replacements. Before this month the youngest to fill in was an active duty Air Force recruiter, however a week ago today we set the bar for the oldest - so far.

At a dinner for paralyzed veterans on November 14, our 93 year-old WWII Navy Veteran broke out his 1944 blues (flat hat and all, but not in the picture below) and proudly carried the Navy standard in our presentation and retreat of the colors.

Like the hero described in the story, I can picture our sailor giving his final salute in similar fashion with his wife by his side someday. We hope though, that he won't be crossing the bar anytime soon. We call him a cradle robber because his wife is only 90, but they have been married for 70 years.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 16 at 2016 8:36 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jul 2016 20:36:49 -0400

I THINK WE AS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD CAN AND SHOULD DO MORE FOR OUR VETERANS THAN WE DO, ONE MIGHT THINK WHAT COULD WE DO MORE TO RECOGNIZE OUR VETERANS? MY ANSWER TO THAT IS, GIVE THEM MORE EXPOSURE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, SUCH DAILY EVENTS JUST FOR VETERANS WITH MEDIA EXPOSURE, YOU KNOW, SOME DAYS WILL BE FOR THE VETERANS AND OTHER DAYS FOR THE VETERANS ALONG WITH THEIR FAMILIES THE OCCASION CAN CONSIST OF FUNFILLED GAMES AND ACTIVITIES AND STAGE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS TO SPEAK ABOUT THEIR EXPERIENCES WHILE SRRVING IN THE MILITARY. AND EVEN OPEN IT UP FOR THE PUBLIC TO PARTICIPATE AND BE A PART OF OUR VETERANS, I THINK THEY WILL FEEL MORE APPRECIATED DURING THEIR LIFE TIME. (JUST A THOUGHT). RETIRED MSG.BATTLES 14Z