Last surviving member of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade dies at age 100

[Tiki Tom]

Interesting article. I'm sometimes surprised at how controversial the topic remains even all these many decades later. But ---keeping politics out of it--- I agree with the articles statement that "Decades after the Spanish Civil War, the volunteers who fought alongside the Republicans retained a certain romantic appeal, fueled in part by their depiction in works such as Ernest Hemingway’s novel “For Whom the Bell Tolls.”" Something about the way the Spanish Civil War was a dress rehearsal for WWII makes the whole story heartbreaking and romantic in a certain "lost cause" sort of way. It was certainly an important part of the 1930s and the run up to war. R.I.P.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/worl...?hpid=hp_hp-cards_hp-card-world:homepage/card

 

[Stearmen]

Sad news! Something to remember, the Americans that served in Spain, were integrated a full decade before the U.S. military. Interesting that he served in the Pacific during WWII. As a kid, I was told all of them were Black Listed and barred from service, just propaganda I guise. Albert Baumler flew for the Republicans, then tried to join the Flying Tigers, he was to late, but did join the AAF and fly with Chennault and the 23rd FG. Adding four more kills to the 4.5 kills over Spain, the first American to have both German and Japanese kills to his credit.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I have never heard about Albert Baumler. I will google him. Thanks. I first became interested in the complex, sad history of the Spanish Civil War and especially in the Abraham Lincoln Brigade after reading the Hemingway biography by Carlos Baker. Then I went on to read Hemingway's "For Whom the Bell Tolls" and also "Man's Hope" by Andre Malraux. Also "Wide is the Gate" by Upton Sinclair was an early influence. (If you aren't familiar with Upton Sinclair's Lanny Budd series ---most aren't--- it might worth a look. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/22/books/revisit-to-old-hero-finds-hes-still-lively.html?_r=0 )

 

[Stearmen]

 

[TREEMAN]

RIP...........

 

[BriarWolf]

The day had to come. No Pasaran.

 

[Tiki Tom]

I stumbled across this commentary by U.S. Senator John McCain in the NYTimes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/opinion/john-mccain-salute-to-a-communist.html?_r=0

 

[Stearmen]

I stumbled across this commentary by U.S. Senator John McCain in the NYTimes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/25/opinion/john-mccain-salute-to-a-communist.html?_r=0

Very well written, a nice salute to Mr. Berg.

 

[Tiki Tom]

Nice that at least one student today is working to keep his story alive...

https://news.berkeley.edu/2019/08/21/student-honors-spanish-civil-war-vet-with-plaque/

 

[GHT]

Portsmouth D-Day veteran John Jenkins MBE dies aged 100.
A D-Day veteran who starred in the 75th anniversary commemorations in June, has died a month after his 100th birthday. John Jenkins MBE received a standing ovation from world leaders on stage at the commemorative event in Portsmouth. As a sergeant in the Royal Pioneer Corp he landed on Gold Beach in 1944 as part of the Allied invasion of Normandy.

Mr Jenkins brought leaders to their feet when he addressed the gathering on Southsea seafront on 5 June. In his speech, he said: "I was terrified, I think everyone was. You don't show it, but it's there. "I was a small part in a very big machine. You never forget your comrades because we were all in it together. It's right that the courage and sacrifice of so many is being honoured 75 years later. We must never forget."