OT: Those Who Served

[jerseygary]

Lou Brissie is a guy I think I will write about for Veteran's Day this November 11th. Unbelievable story of perseverance!

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Originally Posted by jerseygary

Thanks to all who gave their lives so that I have the freedom to sit here on a peaceful Friday evening reading my favorite forum, Net54. Here is a story I did on Memorial Day a few years ago on Eddie Grant, former New York Giant who volunteered to fight in France and gave his life trying to rescue the Lost Battalion in the Argonne:

Harvard Eddie Grant

Originally Posted by jerseygary

Lou Brissie is a guy I think I will write about for Veteran's Day this November 11th. Unbelievable story of perseverance!

Can't wait to read it! Bought an autographed rookie card if him because of his story

[itjclarke]

Thank you to all who have served, including my father who served proudly (USAF) in SE Asia (Vietnam/Thailand) during the Vietnam war.

Some ballplayers who've served-

One of the greatest pitchers of all time, Grover Alexander served in combat in WWI
1915 Cracker Jack Alexander SGC84.jpg

Christy Mathewson, owner of 373 wins like GC Alexander, also served in WWI, and eventually died from complications received when his gas mask malfunctioned.
T206 Christy Mathewson portrait BVG.jpg

Warren Spahn, only 10 wins behind these other two survived the Battle of the Bulge (as did my wife's grandfather).

1948 Bowman Spahn.jpg

Jackie Robinson probably made his biggest military impact by being court martialed for refusing to sit at the back of the bus

1949 Bowman Jackie Robinson super close.jpg

And of course Teddy Ballgame who flew in the beautiful F-4U Corsair for during WWII and combat missions for the Marines in an F-9F (attack/figher jet) during Korea.. squadron mate of John Glenn.

1941 Play Ball Williams PSA 4 front.jpg1939 Play Ball Ted Williams eBay listing 95 BIN OBO.jpg

Have a very nice Memorial Day weekend all.

[Theo_450]

Great Thread! My old man flew an F-4 Phantom in the Vietnam era. He should have a card! He is my hero!

Thankfully he did not loose his life, but many of his friends did. God bless them all.

[npa589]

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE SERVED, AND THOSE WHO ARE CURRENTLY SERVING.

Your selflessness is what makes our country great. While the government continues to lose perspective on everything, your commitment and dedication to the free citizens of the USA is still appreciated and needed more than ever. If only we had a Colonel as our president, and Army Rangers/Navy Seals/Marines to make up the members of Congress...

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by Theo_450

Great Thread! My old man flew an F-4 Phantom in the Vietnam era. He should have a card! He is my hero!

Thankfully he did not loose his life, but many of his friends did. God bless them all.

The Phantom was a beast! My dad was tied to an RF-101 squadron that flew tactical reconnaissance, mostly over Cambodia and Laos. He was in the region between around 1960-1966. He was an intelligence officer so did not fly missions, but lost many friends as well. My dad is my hero too.. as are the many millions in the service who've risked and/or given everything.

-Adding photo, in parachute training prior to oversees

[Jason]

Great thread.Im also very grateful for all the hard work and dedication giving by all members of the armed forces.Here is my contribution on a veteran major leaguer.Hank Gowdy was the first active major leaguer to enlist for service in WWI.

[arc2q]

I'm in the Navy and saw yesterday that the Navy announced the creation of the "Bob Feller Act of Valor Award." This from the Navy's website:

"The Bob Feller Act of Valor Foundation has established a
prestigious award, named in honor of Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher,
National Baseball Hall of Fame (NBHOF) inductee, and Navy veteran Bob Feller.
Mr. Feller enlisted in the Navy shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor while
he was with the Cleveland Indians, becoming the first American professional
athlete to enlist. He served in USS ALABAMA (BB-60), and while doing so, the
ship fought in both World War II theaters and earned eight battle stars. Mr.
Feller was released from active duty achieving the rank of Chief Petty
Officer, and is the only Chief Petty Officer in the NBHOF."

"This unique award is intended to recognize a representative from
three critical areas of Mr. Feller's life: his MLB career, his service as a
Navy Chief Petty Officer, and his enshrinement in the NBHOF. As such, the
award will be presented to one MLB player, one Navy Chief Petty Officer, and
one member of the NBHOF on Veterans Day, 11 November 2013 at the Navy Memorial
in Washington, DC."

I will certainly be there at the Navy Memorial to not only honor those awardees but to find out which current MLB player and which HOFer they recognize. Interesting award from the Navy.

Thanks to all the Veterans past and present for fighting for our freedom.