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Post by jameslouis on May 7, 2007 1:49:20 GMT -6
I am a new member , visited the battlefield when i was about 12 and was hooked. I love the info and insight of the postings. I enjoy the what if's and the passion of the discussions. I am a amateur historian and have been lucky enough to meet several veteran airborne troopers of the d-day invasion which is another passion. Also interested in the descendants of the LBH . Do any ever post or contribute from either side of the conflict. I am from Texas and live within driving distance of Ft.Richardson. There was plenty of Indian Raids in the Palo Pinto county area. In fact Gen. Sherman nearly met his end on trip to Ft. Richardson. Any way !! HI from Texas !!! James
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Post by mcaryf on May 7, 2007 4:37:47 GMT -6
Hi James
Just to say welcome and that the NW Europe battles of WW2 are another interest of mine. Lt. Col Terence Otway, who led the British airborne assailt on the Merville Battery on D Day, lived in the same road as me until he sadly died recently. I run a local military history discussion group and he was kind enought to come to my house for a discussion group meeting a couple of years ago and told us a number of stories and anecdotes from his time in Normandy. In a similar way I entertained one of the Polish paratroopers from Arnhem, now too sadly also deceased.
I have a friend also in my road who was with the 43rd Wessex who fought their way up through Normandy and along the single road to Arnhem. Fortunately he still attends my discussion group but the WW2 veterans in good health are a dwindling breed.
Many years ago I also met FM Montgomery when he came to give a talk at the school I was attending. I do admire his abilities as a soldier, which I guess might get me into arguments with some people on here, but he had become even more arrogant and eccentric than he was during WW2. He started his talk with this statement "Everything I am going to say will be so perfectly clear that there will be no need for questions at the end!"
This might possibly have been meant as humourous but it did not seem so at the time to me and there were in fact no questions allowed although I did get to shake his hand.
Regards
Mike
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Post by Diane Merkel on May 7, 2007 9:34:54 GMT -6
Welcome, James!
I don't know much about D-Day except to warn everyone NOT to watch that horrible movie, The Longest Day. The book, however, is riveting and should be read by all to get an understanding of the heroics of that day.
To answer your question, we do have some direct descendants of LBH participants from both sides contributing from time to time. If you will look in the "In Search of . . . " section, there are posts on both the Cavalry and Indian boards from descendants, but you'll have to pick through them to find them. I really should make a list of the threads and link them in some way. I'll add that to my never-ending To Do List!
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Post by fred on May 7, 2007 13:17:25 GMT -6
I don't know much about D-Day except to warn everyone NOT to watch that horrible movie, The Longest Day. I just bought that DVD! Of course, I bought it more for the number of old movie stars who are now dead... (believe that?) I can think of 2 descendents right off the top of my head. Am I allowed to post who they are? Best wishes, Fred.
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Post by Diane Merkel on May 7, 2007 17:54:33 GMT -6
You may post whatever you want, Fred. You are special.
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Post by harpskiddie on May 7, 2007 21:06:15 GMT -6
Don't they still have special places for these special people? Designed so that they cannot hurt themselves inadvertently, or purposely? They do say that keyboards are safer than sharp instruments.
Yes, Fred - you are special!!!!!!
Gordie, they're coming to take me away, haha, to the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time......
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Post by fred on May 8, 2007 7:04:01 GMT -6
James--
Myles O'Harra (and yes, that is the correct spelling) and William E. Morris. How's that for cool?
Best wishes, Your Special Correspondent
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Post by jameslouis on May 8, 2007 20:35:25 GMT -6
Mike, sounds like you have an interesting group! I spoke to Major John Howard and was lucky to exchange letters with him ,which he signed off with "Ham and Jam " . I got his phone # thru the late historian Stephan Ambrose , who was great help to me and he treated me great ,no attitude which you might expect. I met Ralph Spina E- company 101ST airborne who lives in ft.worth and is portrayed in Band Of Brothers . Truly these guys were The Greatest Generation . But I respect amd admire all Our Veterans, I never forget Their sacrifaces , that we all might be free. I wish more people would take the time to reflect on the true sacriface they have made and are making still . It brings me to the LBH , both combatants fighting for what each believed was right . That we are discussing and dissecting their moves, leadership, ability , all these years later says a lot about their generation, their sacriface. God Bless Them All.!!!!
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Post by Diane Merkel on May 8, 2007 21:15:57 GMT -6
Don't they still have special places for these special people? Designed so that they cannot hurt themselves inadvertently, or purposely? They do say that keyboards are safer than sharp instruments. Yes, Fred - you are special!!!!!! Gordie, they're coming to take me away, haha, to the funny farm, where life is beautiful all the time...... Shhh, Gordie! I'm trying to keep Fred calm and stable! Did you have anything to do with the song you quoted? How many years ago was that one around -- 50? It's still a stitch. James, Fred neglected to mention that he may be distantly related to the Custer Clan. There are other people in LBHA who are related to participants, but I'm not sure about those who frequent the boards. Anyone else?
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