This is but a portion of a collection that dateds back many years. I magine my interest was piqued when a wee lad of 5 my gramps had me at a Sons of the Union Veterans meeting at the old local GAR Hall He had invited 3 vets from the Span/Am War and there I was sitting on their laps admiring their medals and such. I can remember the old campaign hats. One was wearing his uniform. They had to of been at least in their early eighties.
By the 70's I was all about getting as much into my brain about the Second World War as possible. I have been involved with the WWII vets marching in parades, monument dedications, static displays, speaking engagements etc. I believe God truly blessed us with these men and the sacrifice they gave.
In one of the following pics is a rain jacket pullover that my father in-law wore. He was one of my greatest heroes. He was in the 1st Naval Beach Battalion. They were the *******s of the Navy as much of their work was done with Army Combat Engineers. They were the first to go in to the beach. They would do everything from guiding incoming landing craft to where they were suppose to go to administering fisrt aid to wounded and calling in coordinates for ship to shore shelling of bunkers and such. He first landed at Algiers in N. Africa, then Sicily, Salerno, Anzio, So. France and Okinawa. He never spoke about it, he couldn't. His losses were many! What he did leave was a journal and it says it all.
Another hero is my very dear friend George Koskimaki. George was a member of the vaunted 101st A/B Div. he was Genl. Maxwell D. Taylors personal radioman throughout the war. He jumped at Normandy, Holland and was one of the Battered *******s of Bastogne. He has written three outstanding books chronicling the heroic efforts of the 101st throughout the war. If interested his books are D-Day, Hells Highway, and The Battered Bastads of Bastogne.
Today they are dying at a rate of 1000+ a day and soon will be gone but for a few. Please thank a vet. Shake their hand and tell them "Well Done, well done". I love them all and God Bless them all, those that have protected us and the greatest nation on earth!
Nice stuff! Much better condition than my own collection. I noted the WWI trench knife included (is it original? I don't see the LF&C markings)... one of the items I would never part with out of the junk I have.
That is an amazing collection you have and a very nice display , thanks for sharing. I too collect but mainly on the other side, get the time Ill try to post what I have.
U.P. Outstanding collection as well as your write up. I retired from the military while my wife is working on her 29th year. Your point of thanking a vet is right on. Way less than 1% of us is keeping this country free and safe. Where is Nisula? I have a pkace close to Iron Mountain. PJ
I quit detecting in the 70's to raise my children. Wish I had never quit.
Hello Fella's, Thanks so much for your kind replies and words. To any vet that reads this, bless you all! Alot of my memorabilia is in storage. My basement used to look like a supply depot. Yes the firearms are shooters except for the Tommygun. All original parts, just can't shoot.
Hello Fella's, Thanks so much for your kind replies and words. To any vet that reads this, bless you all! Alot of my memorabilia is in storage. My basement used to look like a supply depot. Yes the firearms are shooters except for the Tommygun. All original parts, just can't shoot.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal then others. -George Orwell
That is a nice collection!!!!! Congrats!!!! Both my grandfathers served and flew bombers. I only got one thing thou. I just got to vist my grandpa in the V.A. hospital a few weeks ago for his 85th birthday(my other grandpa passed on my 17th b-day).
Fifteen men on a dead man's chest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum
Drink and the devil had done with the rest
Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.
Bless them both maxmoney. Hold on to that nice piece of memorabilia. You should try to glean as much info as you can about your grandfathers experiences. These are things that must be passed down as these great men pass from this world. Glad you enjoyed the pics.
LinkBack URL
About LinkBacks
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by U.P. Northwoods
