Comments on: Another Doolittle Raider passes http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/ news and commentary from a conservative perspective Tue, 14 Feb 2012 06:15:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Michelle Malkin » A Doolittle Raider passes: And then there were 11 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-268478 Michelle Malkin » A Doolittle Raider passes: And then there were 11 Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:10:59 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-268478 [...] 10/8/07 Another Doolittle Raider passes [...] [...] 10/8/07 Another Doolittle Raider passes [...]

]]> By: Marshall Russ http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-168233 Marshall Russ Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:17:08 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-168233 <strong>Farewell. I wanted to leave this goodbye here with the other veterans of the Great War. My family and I buried our veteran today at the Veteran's Memorial Cemetery. I said in an early posting that dad had had a stroke and he was recuperating in a rest home. He suffered several bouts of pneumonia and other infections and never could seem to get any strength back. On Oct. 11th just before his 88th birthday dad died. Dad was a young man from a small mid-western town when he went out to the west coast in 1939 to join the Coast Guard. He was drawn to the sea. He was aboard ship stationed in Seattle when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. His ship began escorting troop transports and submarine patrol from Long Beach to Alaska. He said many times how dark and quiet it was on the ocean at night watching and listening for the enemy. Also how terrifying it was at times but, he and the other young men of his cut did their job unwaveringly. Dad was young for a chief but, I'm sure they saw his leadership qualities and he advanced rapidly. He married our mother,also from a small town in the mid-west during the war in 1943. She was a "rosie the riveter" working for Boeing when they met. They had been married for 64 years when he passed. After the war he went into the trades and was an electrician for 45 yrs. He was a Mason, Scottish Rite and stood with mother in Eastern Star. He was a real people person and would often strike up conversations with people he didn't know as if they had been friends for years. He was a devoted husband to our mother and devoted loving father. Words fail now to describe how proud of his service to his country and his life I am. So, my dad, goodbye. I will miss you and will love you forever. Farewell.
I wanted to leave this goodbye here with the other veterans of the Great War. My family and I buried our veteran today at the Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery. I said in an early posting that dad had had a stroke and he was recuperating in a rest home. He suffered several bouts of pneumonia and other infections and never could seem to get any strength back. On Oct. 11th just before his 88th birthday dad died.
Dad was a young man from a small mid-western town when he went out to the west coast in 1939 to join the Coast Guard. He was drawn to the sea. He was aboard ship stationed in Seattle when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. His ship began escorting troop transports and submarine patrol from Long Beach to Alaska. He said many times how dark and quiet it was on the ocean at night watching and listening for the enemy. Also how terrifying it was at times but, he and the other young men of his cut did their job unwaveringly.
Dad was young for a chief but, I’m sure they saw his leadership qualities and he advanced rapidly. He married our mother,also from a small town in the mid-west during the war in 1943. She was a “rosie the riveter” working for Boeing when they met. They had been married for 64 years when he passed. After the war he went into the trades and was an electrician for 45 yrs. He was a Mason, Scottish Rite and stood with mother in Eastern Star. He was a real people person and would often strike up conversations with people he didn’t know as if they had been friends for years. He was a devoted husband to our mother and devoted loving father. Words fail now to describe how proud of his service to his country and his life I am.
So, my dad, goodbye. I will miss you and will love you forever.

]]> By: Boomer http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142733 Boomer Tue, 09 Oct 2007 23:29:29 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142733 I really hate to see the passing of these American heroes. The Doolittle raid has always amazed me in the daring and just plan guts while somehow pulling it off to poke Imperial Japan in the eye. The allies were giving ground everywhere and this raid provided a demoralized country a spark of hope that if they worked together they just might win this thing. A spirit this country desperately needs today in its citizens. Being a former Air Force aviator I am very familiar with the normal risk of flying operations to include aerial refueling of aircraft, which can get really scare especially in the weather or at night. I just can’t imagine flying a medium bomber off the deck of a small aircraft carrier. Thank God this country had the men and women that won WWII and that he has graced us with a much smaller population of American’s willing to voluntarily risk everything so we can sleep safe in our beds tonight. I really hate to see the passing of these American heroes. The Doolittle raid has always amazed me in the daring and just plan guts while somehow pulling it off to poke Imperial Japan in the eye. The allies were giving ground everywhere and this raid provided a demoralized country a spark of hope that if they worked together they just might win this thing. A spirit this country desperately needs today in its citizens.

Being a former Air Force aviator I am very familiar with the normal risk of flying operations to include aerial refueling of aircraft, which can get really scare especially in the weather or at night. I just can’t imagine flying a medium bomber off the deck of a small aircraft carrier. Thank God this country had the men and women that won WWII and that he has graced us with a much smaller population of American’s willing to voluntarily risk everything so we can sleep safe in our beds tonight.

]]> By: Bulldog http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142549 Bulldog Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:57:55 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142549 This story will be part of my Current Events at school tomorrow.Diana West in The Death of the Grown-Up talks about the lengthy articles WWII vets get in the British media in the obits,telling about their service etc. I think that speaks volumes. These men and women were the greatest! This story will be part of my Current Events at school tomorrow.Diana West in The Death of the Grown-Up talks about the lengthy articles WWII vets get in the British media in the obits,telling about their service etc. I think that speaks volumes. These men and women were the greatest!

]]> By: JohnHolliday http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142548 JohnHolliday Tue, 09 Oct 2007 19:55:44 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142548 My father flew 30 missions with the 91st Bomb Group, 323rd Squadron, in B-17s over Germany from JAN '45 - APR '45. Three as co-pilot and 27 as pilot. The war ended before his 35 mission tour was over. He was just a farm boy from Arkansas that wanted to fly a B-17. My Mom was home with my oldest brother (1 year old) and pregnant with my sister when my Dad was stationed in England. He used to talk about some wild missions. He too saw the ME-262 jets working over the bomb group in front of his. One ME-262 got 3 bombers on one pass. That sobered everyone quick. Their saving grace were the P-51 Mustangs. Without the P-51s those bomber boys were just meat on the table to the Luftwaffe. I lost my Dad in '93 and my Mom in '06. <em>Greatest Generation</em> is exactly right. Walking into Target one day I met a member of the 101st Airborne that fought at Bastogne. I was so dumbstruck all I could say was "Thank you." To this day, I always take the time to say "Thank You" to anyone in uniform or any veteran I see. Thanks Dad, for everything. My father flew 30 missions with the 91st Bomb Group, 323rd Squadron, in B-17s over Germany from JAN ’45 – APR ’45. Three as co-pilot and 27 as pilot. The war ended before his 35 mission tour was over. He was just a farm boy from Arkansas that wanted to fly a B-17. My Mom was home with my oldest brother (1 year old) and pregnant with my sister when my Dad was stationed in England.

He used to talk about some wild missions. He too saw the ME-262 jets working over the bomb group in front of his. One ME-262 got 3 bombers on one pass. That sobered everyone quick. Their saving grace were the P-51 Mustangs. Without the P-51s those bomber boys were just meat on the table to the Luftwaffe.

I lost my Dad in ’93 and my Mom in ’06. Greatest Generation is exactly right. Walking into Target one day I met a member of the 101st Airborne that fought at Bastogne. I was so dumbstruck all I could say was “Thank you.” To this day, I always take the time to say “Thank You” to anyone in uniform or any veteran I see.

Thanks Dad, for everything.

]]> By: feebiebabe http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142442 feebiebabe Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:39:02 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142442 Dakine: post #1 - absolute 100% agreement. Dakine:

post #1 – absolute 100% agreement.

]]> By: trinitytim http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142410 trinitytim Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:11:42 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142410 terrig... I don't think it will ever get that bad again, at least I hope not and I pledge to do my part to not let that happen. It's a shame you can't get back into the classroom because it sounds like you are exactly the kind of person I would like teaching my grandkids. BTW, I put good teachers like you in the same category as our troops. terrig…

I don’t think it will ever get that bad again, at least I hope not and I pledge to do my part to not let that happen.

It’s a shame you can’t get back into the classroom because it sounds like you are exactly the kind of person I would like teaching my grandkids. BTW, I put good teachers like you in the same category as our troops.

]]> By: terrig http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142388 terrig Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:53:48 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142388 I read this this morning in the Augusta Chronicle. I am also saddened by his passing. A true hero. Trinity Tim,I know you served during a difficult time. I remember my cousin's speaking of the way they were treated when they returned home and I have to wonder if we'll see a return of that kind of welcome within a few years. I pray not. Pressto, when I taught I always made sure that we spent a lot of time on WW 2. There are a few good ones left who do teach this but more often than not they've had it like I did and just can't do it anymore (and I also had a disabled child in 03 and haven't been back in a classroom since). The Admin. will make problems for you if you dare to go outside the boundry of what the book has (the latest has only one chapter generally) and the rest is spent on the wonders of the Great Society, the Hippies, etc. I read this this morning in the Augusta Chronicle. I am also saddened by his passing. A true hero.
Trinity Tim,I know you served during a difficult time. I remember my cousin’s speaking of the way they were treated when they returned home and I have to wonder if we’ll see a return of that kind of welcome within a few years. I pray not.
Pressto, when I taught I always made sure that we spent a lot of time on WW 2. There are a few good ones left who do teach this but more often than not they’ve had it like I did and just can’t do it anymore (and I also had a disabled child in 03 and haven’t been back in a classroom since). The Admin. will make problems for you if you dare to go outside the boundry of what the book has (the latest has only one chapter generally) and the rest is spent on the wonders of the Great Society, the Hippies, etc.

]]> By: Jerry http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142383 Jerry Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:46:32 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142383 These were men to be proud of, brave, decent, and self sacrificing. These were men to be proud of, brave, decent, and self sacrificing.

]]> By: dakine http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142350 dakine Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:23:35 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142350 pressto, I know many schools show The Civil War (another amazing Ken Burns documentary) as a supplemental learning tool when teaching American History, and I suspect that "The War" will ultimately be used in a similar manner. My 4 boys all watched it, and were absolutely transfixed and awe-inspired by these guys. pressto, I know many schools show The Civil War (another amazing Ken Burns documentary) as a supplemental learning tool when teaching American History, and I suspect that “The War” will ultimately be used in a similar manner. My 4 boys all watched it, and were absolutely transfixed and awe-inspired by these guys.

]]> By: pressto http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142341 pressto Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:14:44 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142341 It is a shame they don't bother to even teach about this in schools now. It is a shame they don’t bother to even teach about this in schools now.

]]> By: On-my-soap-box http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142327 On-my-soap-box Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:59:06 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142327 A real American hero. He is the kind of man I would have liked to have had as a father. We need congressmen/senators like this - men with backbone. A real American hero. He is the kind of man I would have liked to have had as a father.

We need congressmen/senators like this – men with backbone.

]]> By: trinitytim http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142248 trinitytim Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:16:27 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142248 World War II (Korea) -- Definaely The Greatest Generation. Heroes in combat who returned to build a nation worthy of their blood. I thank God for these men who found no sacrifice to be too great. <em>Rest in Peace Heroes.</em> Vietnam Veterans -- A second Greatest Generation. I served with some of the bravest kids (18-21) I have ever known. 58,000+ heroes who did not return. We answered the call of our nation and returned to an ungrateful, belligerent, selfish country; not the country built by our fathers. May God bless the famiiies of the names inscribed on that wall. <em>Welcome Home all Vietnam vets</em> Gulf War and the War on Terror -- America's latest "Greatest Generation". I love these young people who jumped at the chance to defend my country. I wonder what country they will find upon their return. Will it be the country of my father or the country of appeasement. <em>We will never forget you</em> <strong>"For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know" (oldwardogs.com)</strong> World War II (Korea) — Definaely The Greatest Generation. Heroes in combat who returned to build a nation worthy of their blood. I thank God for these men who found no sacrifice to be too great.

Rest in Peace Heroes.

Vietnam Veterans — A second Greatest Generation. I served with some of the bravest kids (18-21) I have ever known. 58,000+ heroes who did not return. We answered the call of our nation and returned to an ungrateful, belligerent, selfish country; not the country built by our fathers. May God bless the famiiies of the names inscribed on that wall.

Welcome Home all Vietnam vets

Gulf War and the War on Terror — America’s latest “Greatest Generation”. I love these young people who jumped at the chance to defend my country. I wonder what country they will find upon their return. Will it be the country of my father or the country of appeasement.

We will never forget you

“For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know” (oldwardogs.com)

]]> By: Marshall Russ http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142229 Marshall Russ Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:45:59 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142229 DesertLover. Thank you. It would be nice to see this thread continue as a tribute to all those who fought for our freedom ,liberty and peace. DesertLover. Thank you.
It would be nice to see this thread continue as a tribute to all those who fought for our freedom ,liberty and peace.

]]> By: sfrvn http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/comment-page-1/#comment-142218 sfrvn Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:23:12 +0000 http://michellemalkin.com/2007/10/08/another-doolittle-raider-passes/#comment-142218 My father was also a Bombardier/Navigator on B-17s in the Pacific Theater. Like so many of that generation he was a quiet humble man who had very little to say about his experiences. Most of what I know comes from letters he wrote home and copies of documents he kept, including how he got his Purple Heart. Coincidentially, he was stationed on Okinawa at the end of the war, and I was stationed there for awhile before Viet Nam. It was nice to be able to have that in common and it opened up a dialogue for us. Dad died 27 years ago, the second of 4 brothers were all WW II veterans to die. Only one brother survives today. They were definitely the greatest generation, but I see the makings of another great generation in our military of today. My father was also a Bombardier/Navigator on B-17s in the Pacific Theater. Like so many of that generation he was a quiet humble man who had very little to say about his experiences. Most of what I know comes from letters he wrote home and copies of documents he kept, including how he got his Purple Heart. Coincidentially, he was stationed on Okinawa at the end of the war, and I was stationed there for awhile before Viet Nam. It was nice to be able to have that in common and it opened up a dialogue for us.

Dad died 27 years ago, the second of 4 brothers were all WW II veterans to die. Only one brother survives today.

They were definitely the greatest generation, but I see the makings of another great generation in our military of today.

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