The True Meaning of Veterans Day...

[Patriot]

after reading The Axeman Chris's thread about bonuses offered to Veterans on Veterans Day...I thought I'd share what's local to me:

The local Patriot Guard and I will be hosting 1st SGT Murphy "John" Laiche, USMC 32yrs (ret) for a meal at Chili's on Veterans Day. He's Veteran of 3 Wars and highly decorated: 2 Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars, 7 Purple Hearts. His most harroeing stories are of WWII in the Pacific...Guadacanal & Perileu where he was wounded multiple times. He said that saved his life as he avoided Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

He's my neighbor and I am driven to do anything I can for him. He loves to visit the National WWII Museum here in New Orleans and always wears his uniform. I don't worry about any entrance fee because the second he walks in the lobby, every Marine of any era in the place is chatting with him. I just sit down or chat with patrons and 3 hrs later, he's tired and ready for lunch.

My Dad was an Army Medic at Guadacanal, WWII Pacific Theatre, and I so wish he was alive to tell me all that happened. As a young kid, he only mentioned the "funny" stuff and only once did I see him grimace and mumble something about a lagoon's water turned red and bloated bodies that needed to be gathered when he had morgue duty. His job was in the rear after a few days of establishing the beach head to keep the food and water healthy. He said there were more casualties from health issues than combat. Part of the mission of the National WWII museum is to record the stories and testimony of these heros who literally saved the world for freedom. Last time I heard, 3000 of these hero Veterans were dying every day.

1st Sgt Murphy Laiche, USMC (ret)

I've been privileged to make friends with the 2 local Gold Star Families, and Becky Romig, Mother of Christian Romig KIA Jan 2011 told me she always wanted to ride on a motorcycle.

With the permission of both spouses, this "silly" lady accepted my offer of a riding experience and has ridden with me twice to Southside Cafe where a decorated USMC Vietnam Vet owns the eatery and has military items and pics top to bottom, mostly with a Marine Corp theme. The Axeman Chris's son Jordan is hanging on the "Wall of Honor" along with other local heros and Vietnam Wall etchings of Captain Day's friends.

Captain Dan Day, the owner, is quite a character. He's the head cook during the lunch hour and is usually found around 3pm at a table in the corner having his lunch. One day, he's going to take time out to tell me the story of his Silver Star. He was a Cobra Attack Helicopter Pilot. I will show up for lunch and he's invaribly behind the open counter where the grill is putting out meals for his clientel. I will shout, "How's it going back there, Captain Dan?" His usual answer is "It's a jungle back here !!!."

I invite any local PGR and other riders to come along on the Becky Romig rides. I've taken her on two different lunch rides on two different routes and she seems to enjoy them. Intercom IMHO is mandatory.

Well, Becky asked me to take her to Wed Night Bike Night, so tomorrow is her first night ride. She is bringing her teenage son, Lee to ride pillion with a buddy of mine. I'm so glad I have 2 teen daughters and full gear to outfit both of them.

I will ask her if she received any tangible thanx from companies in the name of her son.

Captain Day, Becky Romig, and Christian Romig:

Another local, Joseph Bovia made the ultimate sacrifice in Aug 2010:

The Axeman, Chris sent me copies of his favorite pics of his hero son Jordan. Here's Captain Day and Jordan:

 

[SacramentoMike]

*Gulp*

 

[CAJW]

Somehow any troubles I had seemed very trivial and just faded away. God speed to all those brave young soldiers who gave all.

 

[Ally House]

Nice post. We have a restaurant in the small town I patrol that is run by a Canadian motorcyclist/hockey player that has a U.S. Flag (chrocheted)(sp on THAT) with pictures of local folks who have served and who are serving representing all branches, and all conflicts since the Civil War.

Last year, the city recorder and I put on a "thank you" for veterans. This year, the VFW is hosting it. The Oregon Tuba Ensemble (of which I am a member) will play. My 'play for' list includes:

My Dad SSgt. Ed House, USAAC WWII (RIP)

My Father in Law: Lt. Col Art Aho, USAF, Korea/Viet Nam

My friend's son: Cpl Sam Huxford, USA Iraq, Afganistan (RIP)

My co-workers who have served active duty: Cmd Kurt Jahnke, USCG, 1st Sgt. Kerry Boggs (x2)NGUS, Sgt. Blake Dornbush (x2) NGUS

My friends, for whom DADT was repealed too late: Sharon Murtagh, USMC and Kathy Lang, USAF

I could never lie, therefore have 26 1/2 years of active duty law enforcement.

My thanks goes to all who served, in whatever capacity, in the Armed Forces of the U.S.A.

 

[Intech]

Awesome post Mike. I had similar experience as you with my father. He was a veteran of WWII and the Korean conflict. He was in the Navy and at Omaha beach during the Normandy attacks. He returned after the war to graduate from Boston University and then joined the Air Force as a jet pilot. He flew combat missions in Korea. He only spoke of his WWII experience once. A very moving moment. I would suggest Tom Brokaw's book The Greatest Generation. He starts it off by explaining that it was a common theme with the majority of WWII vets to not talk about their experiences. What the veterans sacrificed and what active military continue to sacrifice for this country is beyond anything we can sufficiently thank them for. What we can do is continue to remember and honor those that have made the ultimate sacrifice every day, but especially on Veteran's Day. For those that continue to serve offer a prayer for their safe return to their families. When you see someone in uniform honor them by thanking them for their service.

Semper Fi

 

[Patriot]

I am drawn to the Pacific War. I highly recommend the HBO series "The Pacific" for near reality of the gruesome, brutal war the Marines had to fight till victory over the Japanese.

I purchased and read "Helmet as my Pillow," and "With the Old Breed" which the movie is based.

Also the one accurate biography of Medal of Honor (Guadacanal) and Navy Cross (Iwo Jima) recipient John Basilone.

I was compelled to purchase "The Pacific", "Band of Brothers", "Saving Private Ryan", and "Taking Chance", all which give a true taste of war.

It's amazing to me to learn of famous folks in show business who contributed to the war effort and the few times they talk of their experiences. Some were awarded medals for their actions.

Eddie Albert of Green Acres fame was a coxwain or driver of a landing craft at Tarawa. The landing was before the Navy sent in recon divers to accurately check the conditions leading up to the beach. At Tarawa, even high tide was only barely above the coral reef over 100 yards off the beach. The landing craft were going aground on the reef, and the Marines were forced to disembark either in water over their heads, or chest deep water 150 yards offshore under fire. Eddie Albert refused to leave the Marines under fire, and was credited in picking up and saving many of the wounded and taking them back to the ships to safety. He would bring in a new boatload of Marines, get them in as far as he could searching breaks in the coral, and then hang around to pick up wounded to bring back out.

Those stories give me goose bumps.

(there are also urban legends that aren't true about famous folks...there's lots of info on any particular situation on snopes)

 

[Patriot]

Becky Romig called me with much tears and great pride

the Compassion Project of artists finished and send Christian's portrait:

not enough can be said for the support and efforts to always remember the fallen and their families

much is done by the ordinary citizen to try to lessen the pain of the experience of losing a child to war

 

[Patriot]

this is Kevin Trindle

he goes to my youngest daughter's church

I and my Patriot Guard comrades welcomed him home for two weeks of leave at Christmas

25 bikes, multiple police escorts, media

that's his very first steps

pls send prayers, karma, kuddos, encouraging thoughts

for PTSD nightmares. His best friend was next to him, stepped on the mine, and was killed instantly. Kevin's 19 and was in country only 6 weeks.

Kevin also lost his left arm.

<sigh>

 

[HotRodZilla]

Gawd...Im a *******. Today I was feeling sorry for myself because I lost something important to me. Inconvenient to replace, but totally replaceable. How stupid of me. I'll never know the struggles Kevin will know, and I bet he's not sitting at home bitching about it.

God bless those guys!!

 

[monkin]

Patriot..anything I can do to help Kevin??

 

[Patriot]

I thought I'd add a down the road story

this is Josh Wells of McComb, MS

His injury was mid 2008 and 18 mo later I / we welcomed him home.

In 2010 he was working and it was found out living with a relative plus his young wife and infant child.

Hundreds of professionals along with the "Homes for Heros" program / ministry got together and built a house in 6 weeks designed for his physical limitations.

Here he is given the keys to his new house.

 

[monkin]

Thanks Patriot

We sometimes wonder what we can do to help. I suppose

the best place to start is the beginning. Our returning troops

need homes.

Thanks again for the info. I will also be checking into the

patriot guard. It seems like the folks who are members have

a sincere interest in helping.

THANK YOU..to all who have served.

 

[Mooseonagoose]

Gotta say the young feller looks pretty squared away in his uniform! Still fits him well too, looks pretty darn fit yet!

 

[Patriot]

Mr John passed two weeks ago and I greatly miss him

was compelled to lower the flag he flies at his home to half staff

 

[HotRodZilla]

Mr John passed two weeks ago and I greatly miss him

was compelled to lower the flag he flies at his home to half staff

God bless him and RIP. We should always be thankful for his service!