The last of an era. Least we can do is talk about them, and keep the ideas alive. Just as Albert Woolson’s passing in 1956 was the last verified veteran of the Civil War, Frank Buckles will be a name that comes across as a link to the past.
In 2017, Trump wanted a parade in DC to celebrate the Doughboys of WWI. However, the deep state dug in its heels because it didn’t want Trump presiding over a parade. Chief among the opponents of a parade was Admiral Stavridis who whined about how much he hated marching as a midshipman. Hopefully Trump will preside over a parade in 2026 in DC to mark Americas 250th birthday.
Sounds like our fathers were cut from the same cloth. They wanted my father to go to the war college and a tour in the Pentagon. He wanted to stay with operational squadrons. DOD said they'd freeze him in rank if he didn't go. He retired then as a Lt Colonel.
My dad joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1939 and became a clerk/typist. In WWII he volunteered to become a pilot. He flew cargo and paratrooper planes in North Africa and Europe. After WWII, he was riffed to Sergeant. In the Korean War he was recommissioned and flew SIGINT planes over North Korea. Just a high school graduate, there was no War College or D.C. tours for him. He later transitioned to helos and the Jupiter C missile program. He retired a Major in 1961. Then he worked for Chrysler Corp. in the Saturn V program and was the PM for the M-60 tank modernization program. His last job was a 10 years stint as mayor of his hometown in Missouri.
I recall once seeing the then-oldest graduate of the Military Academy. Class of 1882. He, wearing a blue uniform in the field, fought Geronimo; a BG in WWI. I also remember on early TV the one-by-one last Civil War veterans. In 2008, the French were to give the Legion d’Honneur to each living allied soldier who fought in WWI. They found the last living Senegalese tirailleur. This man was most honored to be getting the medal, but preferred dental care. Alas, he died on 10 Nov 2008. Those of us alive need to remember all of them.
Back in the 60's when we lived in Sanford (there was no base housing to speak of on the NAS), we lived by a grumpy old man named Jim Wimbush [edit Glenn Wimbish] who liked to keep a sorta Japanese garden on his plot by the lake.
We kids didn't like him, because he would yell at us if we played there. And boy howdy, he would light you up!
Later, I learned he was a Marine MSgt in the Reserves, so that explained how he could so effectively chew us out!!
A few years ago, as I got interested in genealogy, I looked him up.
Turns out that he was in a machine gun unit ( will look it up again in Fold 3 to get it right) at Belleau Wood, and was gassed.
Wish I had been old enough to better respect Mr. Wimbish.
As a kid in the '60's? I remember one man who was rumored by other kids to have been a wwi veteran. In good weather he'd sit outside on the stoop with his rather worn out looking dog drinking a quart beer wrapped in a brown bag. He also looked rather tired and worn out.
I knew one other wwi veteran in the mid '80's. He drove fast, was still flying, and happy to knock down a drink or two. He was not acting his age. He passed in 2006.
My grandfather served in France in WWI. He rarely spoke of his experience there other than to speak of the deaths of others and the quirk of fate or miracle that spared his life and took others mere inches from him. Poison gas and a vagrant breeze. This allowed him to live and marry Grandma and here I am.
"Ukraine and Israel are of a piece, Zionist projects, aimed at Russia (Ukraine) and Europe-US (Israel). One fails, both fail. Thus do US Zionists -- NeoCons, Evangelical Christians -- throw everyone else against Russia and non-Jews in MENA."
He heard his country calling. He answered the call. We can not ask for much more.
The last of an era. Least we can do is talk about them, and keep the ideas alive. Just as Albert Woolson’s passing in 1956 was the last verified veteran of the Civil War, Frank Buckles will be a name that comes across as a link to the past.
In 2017, Trump wanted a parade in DC to celebrate the Doughboys of WWI. However, the deep state dug in its heels because it didn’t want Trump presiding over a parade. Chief among the opponents of a parade was Admiral Stavridis who whined about how much he hated marching as a midshipman. Hopefully Trump will preside over a parade in 2026 in DC to mark Americas 250th birthday.
All the Flags -seems most of the Naval Establishment- having vapors over Trump have lost the plot.
It's obvious they want to see the country fail...hurt all of, We The People...just to prove how dumb we are for reelecting the guy.
A manifestation of the same derangement here:
https://youtu.be/bWJkPbBOXL4?si=aN7egeUcrNlraWUI
I pretty much just ignore them now. They can all share their huffs and puffs in their own little elitist bubble.
I must disagree.
The British officer in the Bridge Over the River Kwai was never concerned about his post retirement job with a defense contractor.
Fuethermore, he realized what he had done and in the end blew up the bridge.
True about all that.
He saw the error of his ways, and it's also true his motives were not driven by base venality.
The Swamp Flotilla isn't that self aware it appears. They are too enamored with their supposed brilliance.
Growing up, dad detested the thought of going to DC.
His mentors implored him to do a tour there if he wanted to make Flag.
May as well have tried to make a cat draw it's own bath...
I get why now.
Sounds like our fathers were cut from the same cloth. They wanted my father to go to the war college and a tour in the Pentagon. He wanted to stay with operational squadrons. DOD said they'd freeze him in rank if he didn't go. He retired then as a Lt Colonel.
My dad joined the U.S. Army Air Corp in 1939 and became a clerk/typist. In WWII he volunteered to become a pilot. He flew cargo and paratrooper planes in North Africa and Europe. After WWII, he was riffed to Sergeant. In the Korean War he was recommissioned and flew SIGINT planes over North Korea. Just a high school graduate, there was no War College or D.C. tours for him. He later transitioned to helos and the Jupiter C missile program. He retired a Major in 1961. Then he worked for Chrysler Corp. in the Saturn V program and was the PM for the M-60 tank modernization program. His last job was a 10 years stint as mayor of his hometown in Missouri.
I always loved a parade. Something different, martial, stirring, about them. And a sense of camaraderie. Except for a few malcontents apparently.
And they didn't take very long so you had some extra time in the day. Bonus.
And even if you don’t like marching it’s the least you could do for a four year ride at Canoe U.
I recall once seeing the then-oldest graduate of the Military Academy. Class of 1882. He, wearing a blue uniform in the field, fought Geronimo; a BG in WWI. I also remember on early TV the one-by-one last Civil War veterans. In 2008, the French were to give the Legion d’Honneur to each living allied soldier who fought in WWI. They found the last living Senegalese tirailleur. This man was most honored to be getting the medal, but preferred dental care. Alas, he died on 10 Nov 2008. Those of us alive need to remember all of them.
A shout out to Peter Jackson for saving, colorizing and story telling with:
"They Shall Not Grow Old"
worth the time. here's a little clip
https://youtu.be/19j-rEdGiEI
Back in the 60's when we lived in Sanford (there was no base housing to speak of on the NAS), we lived by a grumpy old man named Jim Wimbush [edit Glenn Wimbish] who liked to keep a sorta Japanese garden on his plot by the lake.
We kids didn't like him, because he would yell at us if we played there. And boy howdy, he would light you up!
Later, I learned he was a Marine MSgt in the Reserves, so that explained how he could so effectively chew us out!!
A few years ago, as I got interested in genealogy, I looked him up.
Turns out that he was in a machine gun unit ( will look it up again in Fold 3 to get it right) at Belleau Wood, and was gassed.
Wish I had been old enough to better respect Mr. Wimbish.
https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L5RJ-FCG/glenn-joseph-wimbish-sr-1896-1983
(from Ancestry)
4-10-17 Co "A" 6th Machine Gun Batt. Quantico Va.
Engagements: Toulon Sec. Aisine Def. ; Chateau Thierry Sec.
Gassed: 6-14-18
Served Overseas 6-27-17 to 1-2-19
https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/HD/Brief%20Histories/Belleau%20Wood.pdf?ver=2019-05-23-083625-560
As a kid in the '60's? I remember one man who was rumored by other kids to have been a wwi veteran. In good weather he'd sit outside on the stoop with his rather worn out looking dog drinking a quart beer wrapped in a brown bag. He also looked rather tired and worn out.
I knew one other wwi veteran in the mid '80's. He drove fast, was still flying, and happy to knock down a drink or two. He was not acting his age. He passed in 2006.
What was he flying?
His 1940's vintage single seat Schweizer (Don't know the model.)and his son's Centurion.
Good on him!!!
Have to wonder what he first flew....
Bet he had some serious stories to tell over those beers.
I really like these FbF. Thank you.
My grandfather served in France in WWI. He rarely spoke of his experience there other than to speak of the deaths of others and the quirk of fate or miracle that spared his life and took others mere inches from him. Poison gas and a vagrant breeze. This allowed him to live and marry Grandma and here I am.
Also down memory lane: Soviet-Russian Submariners get a gift:
https://smoothiex12.blogspot.com/2025/03/this-is-dmitriy-donskoi.html
Sound familiar?
"Ukraine and Israel are of a piece, Zionist projects, aimed at Russia (Ukraine) and Europe-US (Israel). One fails, both fail. Thus do US Zionists -- NeoCons, Evangelical Christians -- throw everyone else against Russia and non-Jews in MENA."
Great Fbf story. We must always remember; and pass to our children also to always remember their stories.
RIP.