Time to take my M1 Garand to the range and bust caps on bunch of FMJs. Heck, I may even fix my 1942 bayonet (the LONG one for king-sized Nazis).

That's how I commemorate the liberation of Europe.

Go get'em Grizzly!

Seriously, it is important to remember history - it took us to where we are, for the better or the worse. Could be there is something to learn from the whole experience?? Maybe: friends and family should stick together??

- mike

[ 06-06-2003, 19:09: Message edited by: mho ]

I usually have a mass said in the honor of the two members of my family that made the ultimate sacrifice. One on the USS Bunker Hill and the other in a B-17 over Bremen.

There really is something about holding an old M-1. I'm 33 and think of the old men I see in parades that went through hell gripping one of these, brings a tear to my eye sometimes.

Both an M1 and an M1903 are on my list of things to buy this year.

My late Dad hunted as a kid but never picked up a weapon again after returning from WWII. He was in N. Afrika, Sicily and Italy.

When I got my first Garand, I asked him if he remembered how to strip it. He took it from me and had it stripped in about a minute! That after not having even seen one for 50+ years!

He never spoke of his experiences, but did tell me that he was issued a Winchester at Fort Hood Texas, and he carried it till the end of the war.

I now have two Winchester Garands, along with my Dad's WWII dog tags. One to leave to each of my kids...

[ 06-13-2003, 21:10: Message edited by: Pa.Frank ]

My oldest Uncle was my hero from the time I was about 5 years old, he had served in the pacific and the asian actions as a grunt and a sniper at the end in Burma,he gave up hunting with a rifle when he came back,my dad said it never gave him any thrill with the rifle any more,When my dad got back from Korea he was the same way, aand I was after Vietnam for awhile, I now have my Unlces last issued 03A4, and the ole man's M1 carbine, every time I take them out I think of both.

I am blessed with an M2 carbine. It has a berral stamped 2-44. I just ran several magazines through it. I wish it could tell me who of the greatest generation used it and where!!!
Jeff

My dad was an infantryman in Europe, fighting in France, Germany, and Austria. I bought my Garand through the CMP 3 years ago and took my dad out to the range. It was very moving to see the look in his eyes as he handled it. We lost him a few months later. Our vets are truely our national treasures. God bless them.

Jeff

Gates,

quote:

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I look at these guys, and they have their old uniforms on, and are covered in ribbons and medals.These have always struck me as the bravest men I'll ever meet.

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Very true, we owe them a debt that can never be repaid. I have family members that paid the price in both World Wars and personal friends in the Viet Nam War. I find that the older I get, they are in my thoughts more and more regardless of the time of year.