Memorial Day Tributes

This is for my Grandfather and others who served OUR COUNTRY. To start things off here is a photo of my Grandfather WWI with his company. Theydid their tour in Siberia to protect the Siberian Railroad

[Leon]

Jackie Robinson was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army.

[jerseygary]

Remember Memorial Day is for the men & women who gave their lives to defend this country. Not many gave more than Harvard Eddie Grant of the New York Giants who died leading his men into the Argonne to rescue the Lost Battalion. I wrote a tribute to Eddie on my website a few years back (originally for Veteran's Day) and each Memorial Day re-post it to honor all those who died so I could grow up in a free country.

You can read Eddie Grant's story and see my illustration of him HERE

On another Memorial Day I wrote and illustrated another ballplayer who gave his life, minor league pitcher Bill Niemeyer.

On Memorial Day weekend I always make sure I take a moment to quietly say thank you to Eddie Grant, Bill Niemeyer and all the others who never came back home.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Originally Posted by jerseygary

Remember Memorial Day is for the men & women who gave their lives to defend this country. Not many gave more than Harvard Eddie Grant of the New York Giants who died leading his men into the Argonne to rescue the Lost Battalion. I wrote a tribute to Eddie on my website a few years back (originally for Veteran's Day) and each Memorial Day re-post it to honor all those who died so I could grow up in a free country.

You can read Eddie Grant's story and see my illustration of him HERE

On another Memorial Day I wrote and illustrated another ballplayer who gave his life, minor league pitcher Bill Niemeyer.

On Memorial Day weekend I always make sure I take a moment to quietly say thank you to Eddie Grant, Bill Niemeyer and all the others who never came back home.

Thank you for sharing that, Gary.

A 1965 Central Washington Football Program with three year starting Guard and USAF veteran San Francisco. San D. Francisco (1944-1968?) was a Major in the USAF during the Vietnam War. His plane, a F-4D Phantom, was shot down in Quang Binh province, November 25, 1968. He and the co-pilot, Major Joseph Morrison, parachuted to the ground. Morrison was killed resisting capture, and Francisco broke his legs in a hard landing. It is thought he was killed by carpet-bombing in an effort to rescue him. His body was photographed for North Vietnamese propaganda purposes three days later, then buried in an unmarked grave. His remains have never been recovered, and he is still considered MIA, but presumed dead. An expedition is set to search the area later this year for his remains...

[ZachS]

Originally Posted by jerseygary

Remember Memorial Day is for the men & women who gave their lives to defend this country.

Correct.

Memorial Day - honor those who died while serving

Veterans Day - for veterans (living and who died after serving)

[canjond]

I've posted this before, but my grandfather participated in the Normandy invasion. Below is his battle map from Utah Beach that he gave to me before his passing. From what I understand, it is one of only a handful original Normandy invasion maps in existence, since most were destroyed after the initial assault to prevent the day's plans from being discovered.



Also, below are three short, but interesting, pages out of his journal.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by ZachS

Correct.

Memorial Day - honor those who died while serving

Veterans Day - for veterans (living and who died after serving)

Woops I was thinking VE Day above but Jackie can stay as he is one of the most game changing players ever (and was a vet).

On the other hand it is thought that Matty died from mustard gas complications from the war...

[autograf]

ABSOLUTELY amazing stuff Jon. Thanks immensely for that share. I'm sure those are more valuable to you than all your tobacco memorabilia. I know they would be to me.

[Laxcat]

Jack Lummus lost his life at Iwo Jima. Nile Kinnick's plane went down over the channel. Bob Kalsu was lost in Vietnam. Thinking about Pat Tillman really gets to me. These men, during the prime of their lives and careers, made the ultimate sacrifice. I know that Memorial Day is about those that did not make it back home, but I have included a little something from my grandfather. I read his letters to my grandmother. I know part of him died there. He went in as a private and was promoted to Major. I believe they were all battlefield commissions.

[Enfuego]

Originally Posted by zachs

correct.

Memorial day - honor those who died while serving

veterans day - for veterans (living and who died after serving)

+100

[Roofman4]

My Great Uncle, Platoon Sgt Dornie Reynolds, of the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion was Killed in Action during the invasion of Betio Island in the Tarawa Atoll. The LVT he was driving hit a landmine, remains never recovered. Rest in peace!

[Enfuego]

Originally Posted by Roofman4

My Great Uncle, Platoon Sgt Dornie Reynolds, of the 2nd Marine Division, 2nd Amphibious Tractor Battalion was Killed in Action during the invasion of Betio Island in the Tarawa Atoll. The LVT he was driving hit a landmine, remains never recovered. Rest in peace!

I was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division and I will say that this Division has a very prestigious history! Semper Fi!