I Will Never Forget Those Who Gave Their All

[av8scuba]

On this 72nd anniversary of Pearl Harbor, please remember those who gave their all for the cause. War is hell for everyone involved. But I am so glad that so many throughout the ages have stepped up to the call where I am unable. I am forever in their debt.
So I hereby light up a bowl in their honor. May they all rest in peace. ::

 

[petes03]

December 7th 1941, a date that will live in infamy.
One of the most pivotal days in American history, and one of the saddest. It marked our entry into the worst war in history, as well as the rise of the greatest generation in modern history. In the years following Pearl Harbor, my great grandfather fought in the Pacific theatre, first in artillery then in infantry, and eventually came home without a scratch. But not before he won two Bronze Stars and a medal for bravery, among others.

We, as Americans, owe a great deal to that generation.

I will certainly smoke a bowl in remembrance today.

 

[tbradsim1]

I have a Flag that was struck over the Arozina, family knows when I am laid down for the final rest it will be over me. God Bless all the real Heros, the ones that didn't come home.

 

[petes03]

In honor, a codger blend in a codger pipe, Carter Hall in a Dr. Grabow.

 

[hobie1dog]

Wow, read this site:
http://whatreallyhappened.com/WRHARTICLES/pearl/www.geocities.com/Pentagon/6315/pearl.html
talk about the mother of all conspiracies.

 

[mso489]

If you want to read a fine history of the U.S. come-back in the Pacific after the attack at Pearl Harbor, I heartily recommend

The Battle of Midway by Craig L. Symonds. Brilliant decisions and staggering good luck took and held the U.S. fleet northwest

of Midway Island in the mid-Pacific, where a subtle game of reconnaissance and aircraft carrier exchanges took a toll on the

Japanese navy that they could not overcome for the duration of World War II. That so much of the balance of the war could

rest on a single battle is mind-bending, but that emerged as the truth as the months after the battle revealed. It wasn't even

a clear victory immediately after the fact. I served on Midway Island in the early 1970's, and the bunkers and pill boxes were

still there.

 

[dervis]

Thank God real men existed when we needed them most. True heroes

 

[Perique]

A salute.
I wonder what those guys think of smoking bans and tobacco taxes.

 

[irish]

I had two Uncles in WWII and my dad served in Korea . I salute all men and women who have served this great nation , in peacetime and during war . You are all my heroes! And every night I pray a special prayer for all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless the United States of America!! :puffpipe:

 

[leacha]

My mother watched the attack from her front porch holding my oldest half sister. Her first husband (my half sisters father), was one of the divers trying to cut the sailors out of the Arizona. He told her when they couldn't hear anymore knocking, their job was over. She said he never got over it and drank himself to his death. There are some pics of him and the other divers in the archives.
When I was a child we did a tour of Pearl Harbor and I remember some of the buildings still had the bullet holes in them.

 

[dms17]

My Grandfather enlisted after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He was already married and was running a small successful business. After enlisting in the Marines he served with the 1st Marine Div and on the Island of Pelalu he was wounded by a sniper. My Grandfather was a Bronze Star, Purple Heart recipient, successful small business owner, loving father, and a pipe smoker!

 

[dragonslayer]

My Grandfather served in the Pacific during WW2 and received a Silver Star for pulling 6 men from a burning gun turret after a kamikaze attack. He'd smoke a pipe when we worked in the garden, much to the distain of my grandmother.
When I lived in Hawaii we of course went to the memorial, the sad thing was that in the 40 or so people on the tour all but us were Japanese tourists taking photos. I kind of made a "little" scene when they were posing in front of the plaque honoring the dead, doing a show model pose while laughing. My wife still throws that in my face when we're having one of those moments...
Doing many jobs in the older homes for free, which was basically paying off members of the planning commissions to push things through. A new bath for Auntie, a stamp not a one or more year wait, and they have big families... Many of the homes are single wall construction and have the bullet holes framed. The bullets ripped huge holes through 1 7/8" hardwood. Nothing like you see in the movies.
Craig