you can definitely include me in that list too.

Gotta edit my original post—the craft my FIL was on an LCT, not an LST. That's it in the photo, #542. And he's 91, not 92.

First time I ever saw him shed a tear was on the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994. It was also the first time I ever heard him talk about the bad stuff on that day. Like so many men of his generation, he never seemed inclined to talk about it much. He certainly didn't regard himself as any kind of hero—just a young man doing an unpleasant job for his country.

It is so sad that many people won't, until they read a post such as yours.' become motivated to do just what you recommend. Even sadder however; in my opinion, is this continuous parade of politicians, lead by two of three of our latest presidents actively worked out a plan to avoid the draft. I found  this very strange during Bush II. Both had their flaws, obviously, but one, merely due to the year of his birth and the events of his lifetime caused a much stronger sense of obligation toward his country. The other, along with Clinton and the idiot running today aren't even aware of wha that means.

Because my father, like the majority of them, only spoke about the war when asked directly, I knew two things. It was bad, and I had to do as you recommend. I grabbed as much first hand knowledge from him as possible, and there were only a couple of occassions, when discussing WWII, did he allow himself to hesitate, even smile when sharing what could only have been extremely rare instances where he would actually go into a somewhat detailed description rather than a simple yes or no.  Too many things were simply too difficult to share, even well over 40 years later. 

We are all aware they were, rightfully so, labeled "The Greatest Generation." While it is true the V.A. treats today's vets without a real pretense at giving a shit. However, and again, deservedly so, imo, I believe the importance of treating WWII Vets has always been drilled into them, and I never saw my father treated with disrespect by any member of the V.A. They were given certain benefits that didn't extend to those serving after. I was so thankful for this, that they - our gov't realized it was the top man that made the correct call and almost all, without hesitation simply stepped forward without reservation, knowing full well if they lived through it, they would be in until the end, and at that time would not be asked or ordered to stay on like future drafees and enlistees.

Other than the huge, huge difference in tasks, with them actually having a clearly defined role, whereas I was discharged, still without a clue as to why the hell I had spent one and one-half year in S,.E, Asia. Due to one being an actual war and the other still yet to be explained to my satisfaction, obviously led to differences post active duty as well. Whereas one group was rightfully so treated with the respect reserved for those that had just saved the world, the other, equally deserving of respect, certainly not of the same amount; but complete lack of same, including basically the same attitude exhibited by certain members of the agency staffed to provide this, along with certain benefits, many yet to be realized some 40 years later is unacceptable and wrong. My father, and so many like him were aware of the Veteran's Trust Fund which will remain solvent until the last of that 4% shall expire. Many of them needed it and my dad said, "It was put in place immediately after the war and will remain stable until the last vet dies." He and mother couldn't make it work due to the many changes the war prompted in him and he needed it on more than a few occasions. And you should all be happy to know our gov't didn't even attempt to shirk their duties in regard to these brave men. Today's U.S. Government will do whatever it wishes without regard for the welfare of its veterans despite what you might hear to the contrary. It's not pre-planned on their part and isn't always present, but there are times when the welfare of the veterans isn't near the top of the priority list.

As explained above, both parties did exactly what they should have. No veteran abused that fund to my knowledge. Dad worked construction and he was a heavy drinker so that last pay check prior to the snow didn't stretch far.  If my father needed food, he could go to the county bldg, get a certain, modest amount, but walk out of the store with a couple of bags to last him at least a week or so. And I know there were a few occasions where he'd call me, I'd run over and pick him up, take him to the country bldg., and he'd pick up a voucher from the fund manager to pay that month's rent. As emotional as I was at these times and actually proud of our government, I was equally moved during the summer months when my father and a few others would again meet at the county building, but this time to make donations to the same fund. They were certainly not obligated but I felt a surge of pride toward the entire group. He could have called any of his kids and received the same thing, but these men were all a part of a very special breed.

Things were not good for me at the time of the release of Flags of our Fathers. Although it had been roughly five years since my wife died at 43 years old, I did not have time to grieve due to being so damn concerned for my son's welfare. There is no time limit on this type of thing. I realized that again this year when he visited me in Mexico and he made a remark that left no doubt he still had not fully recovered. Muskegon still had a daily paper then -2000- and as I was reading, i was surprised to see an article about "Uncle Chuck" my wife's uncle through marriage to her Aunt Evelyn. Chuck stormed out of the theater not long after the movie began, extremely angry,  and I don't know if a reporter put two and two together and followed him out and set up an appt., but the interview was in the paper and it was extremely interesting. It explains about his anger at Eastwood and others for the inaccuracies and brushes over aspects of his life, his battle with the bottle, estrangement from his daughter Karen for years and finally to their reuniting.

I was going to attempt to write this but knew it would take too long. I was so happy to be able to google his name, movie title, WWII vet, Iwo Jima, flag raising, etc. I thought I saw his name so I scrolled and scrolled and finally, I guess it always happens this way, I found what I was looking for in the very final article about the movie on this particular site. One heroes view of the movie, a look into a shortly delayed life with PTSD being a constant companion, long before the name or acronym associated with it today. He briefly discusses losses both in battle and family.  He is a very good man, looking after my  late wife's aunt, Evelyn until her death. Never complaining, just doing what men of that era did. Please, if you feel the need for  disparaging remarks, kindly withhold them. I added this because I thought some might find it interesting given the day. I hope someone does.

http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-35660.html

Seems to bothers us much more, so I just gave them an althernative if they did not wish to use Happy. I'd be fine with "Hey, Memorial Day," anything as long as you are aware of who you are hononring.