Met a True American Hero today. Honored.

[Limited GM]

I was driving home today through WY on 80 and spotted a guy on the other side with a flat. At a glance Ithought I spotted a Veterans cap. I went down a few miles, gotta love WY's cabled median, and came back. The old guy was on the phone with AAA and ripping butt. Seems he had been there 2 hrs and no one has shown. (Later told me he has waited 4.5 hrs before once before his ins co sent help) I told the guy to hang up and I would change it for him. He very strongly refused to let me help, saying he was timing them and planned to sue .

I told him I had came back because I had spotted his veteran cap, truly appreciated his service and sacrifices and really wanted to change the flat.

He pulls his cap off and said, "Son you dont know the half of it. I've fought in WW2, Korea, and 'nam. I've been shot to pieces and a POW in both WW2 and VN, http://www.zrxoa.org/forums/images/smilies/wow.gif ."

He holds the hat up and showed me his Survivor pins from being a POW. He then says, "Not that it means much but I've been awarded 27 medals over 3 wars. I was awarded all but the CMoH, but you know....they usually award that to men who've died." http://www.zrxoa.org/forums/images/smilies/wink.gif

I gave him my card and asked him to call me if they never showed. He thanked me again and stuck his hand out. I cautiously took his hand and he put a monkey grip on my hand!! Ole guy still has a grip!http://www.zrxoa.org/forums/images/smilies/bow.gif

I bet there isnt 3 guys who has survived what he has.

Sure glad I made that stop today.

http://i327.photobucket.com/albums/k469/limitedgm/Picture084.jpg
__________________


"Out of every ONE HUNDRED men, TEN should not be here, EIGHTY are nothing but targets,
NINE are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they the battle make."

"Ah, but the ONE, ONE of them is a WARRIOR, and he will bring the others back."

Heraclitus 500 BC

[jmg8550]

What a great story! I knew a man like him once, He has since passed away. They aren't called the greatest generation for nothing.

[Limited GM]

The guy told me his name, I couldnt hear it and he was getting a bit horse, so I didnt ask him to repeat it. Sure hope he calls for the heck of it.

[Bailey Guns]

Awesome!

I met 4 Tuskegee Airmen at an air show in Loveland about 12 or 14 years ago. I told all of them I was very proud of what they accomplished and was honored to meet men that had guaranteed my freedom. The 4 of them were so humble they thanked me for saying that.

[trlcavscout]

Glad you stopped! That guy has some stories I bet.

One of his fellow WWII brothers is on his way home soon. A man who stormed a beach, went through hell then gave up a pro baseball career to raise a family. He has a couple weeks left maybe before rejoining his wife. Her first husband (my blood grandpa) (WWII) and his father (WWI and WWII) are already at Fiddlers Green. After seeing him suffer the last few years I hope "grandpa" goes peacefully!

[n8tive97]

Great story and what an honor! Thanks for sharing.

[Elhuero]

very cool!

[DFBrews]

Humbles you a bit when you meet people like that. + a bunch for stopping to help him.

[4gunfun]

Truly the greatest generation. To bad they had to give a large part of thier lives to fight in wars. Thanks for sharing.

[2XS]

Boy that gave me chills not to many of those guys left that are proud and humble. You did a good thing man you desevere a pat on the back for sure.

[Irving]

AAA should be kissing his ass about now.

[bryjcom]

I met a Batan Death March survivor in Fort Collins a couple of months ago. Never thought I would see one of them around still!!! He kept saying he was in the Japanese Army, but when I kept pressing him because I didn't believe him, he finally said that he was the cook for the Japanese Army..... as a POW!!!!

I always stop and shake the hands of the WWII vets. There aren't many left anymore, and what they went through in the Great Depression and then the greatest war mankind has ever waged, well.... I feel honored to shake their hands.

[CMP_5.56]

I grew up with a WWII vet. Taught me most everything I know. I thank every vet I see, and I also thank every person I see in uniform as well.

Glad you stopped to help him. Not a lot of people do that sort of thing anymore.

[Ronin13]

Along those lines- and forgive me if a few tears are shed due to this story, as I have myself... A few months back- Christmas time- I got a call from my dad who told me his friend who runs a meeting hall up in Genesee who's father- a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division from WWII who passed away back in '05- was hosting a 10th MTN DIV gathering for the holidays and wanted me, a veteran of the modern 10th, to come and meet some of the surviving 10th Vets. Well I went and met with many and got some great insight beyond what history tells us about their victories over the Nazis. Then, just a couple months ago, I get a phone call from a guy here in Evergreen who wanted to do a living history memorial for the 10th and it's massive impact on America and Colorado. He told me he talked to two guys who were part of the 10th in WWII (one of whom is the honorary CDR of the Surviving 10th guys) and wanted me and a former 10th Vet from Iraq to do a special presentation here in Evergreen honoring the legacy of the famous 10th. Well long story short, I met two great guys, Dick Over, and Earl Clark (hon. CDR 10th Surviving Group) and we traded stories of how the world of technology in warfare has changed but the spirit of camaraderie and brotherhood has not over more than 100 years of American military history. I feel so deeply honored to know and be close friends with such true american heroes, and in addition to the OP, these guys are the real reason we enjoy all that we have today, and the reason we are still speaking English, and not German. I tell you all now, if you ever encounter a Veteran, be it from WWII or Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom, thank them. It may only be words, but just the gesture alone will make their day. I'm still thanked for my service of my country in Afghanistan, and I tell you, I remember every single person who gives me their blessing, I may not remember their name, but dammit, I remember that one more proud American still supports the troops and still loves the greatness that our nation still upholds! I love every one of you guys for the support, kindness, and friendship you offer, both to our nation, our soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines, and our freedoms that can be so easily snubbed out.

[alxone]

I love every one of you guys for the support, kindness, and friendship you offer, both to our nation, our soldiers/sailors/airmen/marines, and our freedoms that can be so easily snubbed out.

^this + merchant marines , red cross, u.s.o. and all the regular folks that make the wheels turn .not everyone get to be on the front lines but there are those that still do there part .

[trout_champ]

That’s pretty friggin cool!

Randy

[Seamonkey]

+1

[mopar]

WOW... what grit and determination,kind of leaves a lump in your throat.

[Marine]

[Mtn.man]

Nice.
Always cool to meet someone like that.

[fitz19d]

Not wanting to be a debby downer, but he sure looks young for ww2.

Then again I have a coworker who is 74? Looks late 50's and not someone I want to tangle with. Marine Life I guess.

[Jer]

Limited, If that guy calls you the first round is on me. PM, email or whatever if he does as I want to be there for the stories if he wants to share. It would be an honor to be in that man's presence for a short period and I would be a better person for it.

[TwoSevenEcho]

Thanks for sharing. A true hero indeed!

[Colorado Luckydog]

What a great story. Not sure why, but it almost jerked a tear. Thanks a ton for sharing.

[Beer][Beer][Beer]