My Parents

[Chanfan]

Heya, folks.

My dad was a WWII vet. He served in the 28th Infantry Division, 110th Regiment. Hopefully I can get some pics of him in uniform to post. He fought in Huertgen Forrest, and was captured during the battle of the bulge. He certainly had some interesting stories about his time in the war.

Here's a picture of him -

My mother wrote (and drew) this about her first meeting with him:

Hope you find it half as amusing as I do.

 

[Baggers]

Hubba Hubba!

lol lol lol lol
I am SO charmed. I love it!

So your mother likes "dangerous" men (she did mention it twice), huh? I'm wondering if she "...hopped right out of the car to avoid mishap" because she was afraid of what she would do if given the chance more than what he might. lol lol lol

Thanks for sharing. That was delightful.

Cheers!

 

[scotrace]

Wonderful! What a great thing to have (and share, thank you!).

 

[jitterbugdoll]

Oh, I love it!

Your father was a very handsome man; I can see why your mother thought him dangerous

 

[HoosierDaddy]

Good stuff! Thanks for sharing!
HD

 

[Hondo]

Our Awww for today...

Well I like "dangerous" women lol That was sweet, Thanks for sharing

 

[June]

Chanfan-This is Great !

My favorite part : "Likes San Francisco fog and cold because he has a good-looking topcoat he likes to wear." I'll bet he looked smashing in that topcoat
Thanks for sharing.

 

[Chanfan]

My favorite part : "Likes San Francisco fog and cold because he has a good-looking topcoat he likes to wear." I'll bet he looked smashing in that topcoat
Thanks for sharing.

Yeah, I was thinking that comment made it especially appropriate for the lounge.

 

[Chanfan]

Well, on a more WWII specific topic, I was writing up one of my Dad's war experiences for another forum, and thought I should post it here.


I know my father volunteered to be drafted. This was because his parents didn't want him to volunteer, so instead, he went to the draft board and told them to draft him - which they did. He had hoped to go with some friends to flight school in the army air corps. However, his eyesight prevented him from being selected as a pilot, so he got to go infantry instead. He mentioned that his three or four friends did make it as pilots, and none survived the war.

He did training and had a stay in England, waiting to go over for the invasion. He was not part of D-Day, instead landing on July 22nd, as reinforcements.

He did talk about how they wanted to get as much gear, ammo, and such unloaded along with the troops as possible, so all the troops were loaded with as much as they and their packs could hold (this being a few days after storms had destroyed one of the artificial harbors). The seas were rough, and apparently you had to cross a gangplank to get into the landing craft that would ferry you to the shore. This gangplank did not have sides, and the seas were causing the craft to alternate between mashing against each other, and drifting apart.

So you had to cross a gang-plank, which might be shifting side to side, pitching up and down, while very heavily loaded. He reported seeing several folks mis-step, and the result was either you plummeted down into the water - as you were heavily burdened, you were not seen again. Or, you fell down and were mashed between the ships first, if you were unlucky.

He said he plucked up his courage and started across. He felt himself being pitched sideways, and knew he was not going to make it. So he jumped the last bit of it, landing on top of several troops in the craft, including an officer. The officer cussed at him, but somehow my dad said he didn't mind it.

 

[BegintheBeguine]

Henry comic strip

Thank you for sharing these stories, they are so sweet.
Ashley

 

[Shearer]

Oh, Chanfan, this is great! I hope you frame it! That pic your mother drew with her devil horns and tail, and your dad as a fox in uniform is truly terrific! Thanks so much for sharing.