At ease, Soldier.

Rest in peace.

Here is what James Hoyt found when he liberated Buchenwald --

Respect.

You know what I like about this guy's story. This dude had enough class and respect for mom and the kids not to try to puff himself up and go around telling everybody what a tough and accomplished soldier he was.

Time to make that journey to that undiscovered country from whose borne no traveler returns. So mote it be.

I have known several combat veterans of WWII (who hasn't?). The ones who truly went through hell were much like this man, self-effacing, humble and honorable.

Can you imagine seeing what he saw at nineteen?

I had an uncle who also witnessed one of the camps, I'm not sure if it was Buchenwald. He never talked about it either.

"Can you imagine seeing what he saw at nineteen?"

No.

RIP Troop.

I had a dear friend who's father was part of liberating a camp (I believe it was Dachau). He never talked to anyone about it....reportedly not even his wife. His wife reported that he would often awaken from related nightmares at night related to the camp liberation while still refusing to discuss it.

The only people who have mentioned my service in the past 3 years are puppets. You women must love a man in uniform. The whole "paratrooper" thing really has you guys impressed. I don't get it. The school was a piece of cake.

The only one who has mentioned it regularly would be you, Mr. Chairborne.

Posted by eatme at 2008-08-15 09:52 AM | Reply

Feel free to look and post your findings here. Of course you'll claim you have better things to do, but we know better.

Dance puppet, dance.

Obama's grandad?

101,

I don't know all the personal history here and I was not referring to you. I don't ever recall hearing you say one way of the other anything about you military adventures. Most of the time you just make snarky comments that I like so much.

Is that what 101 means, 101st Airb. My son is embedded with them in Iraq. He is with 10th Mtn. out of Ft Drum.

The only people who have mentioned my service in the past 3 years are puppets. You women must love a man in uniform. The whole "paratrooper" thing really has you guys impressed. I don't get it. The school was a piece of cake.

I've always figured your name was a sarcastic, self-deprecating knock at yourself.

Nearly my entire family served in the military and the term "chairborne", typically in the form of "chairborne ranger", was typically levied at those who never served but had strong opinions regarding military matters (often very technical issues, like equipment and TO&E).

It was always used in a fond manner, and was akin to Monday morning quarterback, or backseat driver...

Military Service is something that should be personally honored but publically played down. The proper format for all public displays of service can be considered national holiday parades, et al.

Service should never be used as a weapon against another in argument. To do so leads to another fellow countryman questioning your integrity, which reflects poorly on service in general.

However, if someone questions your service publically, you should state your branch of the armed forces and your MOS, and also you can state the nature of your service within a structure, i.e. the MAGTF framwework etc.

Refrain from unncessary discussion about specific assignments other than where you were and at what date. Also it is strongly urged that you do not let others make assumptions about your service that might be used to enhance stature, or achieve public glory or gain. it should be noted that dispalying publically viewable decals or marks reflecting service is controversial, even with vets, because of how it can be used as propaganda and as a way for getting breaks in a society during time of war. Don't flash your tattoos and markings. Be inconspicuous as possible aso that people may take you at a more objective level in your dealings with them.

Not all enlisted men have had field or active combat experience, but that still is not to demean them in any way for their service, and generally speaking their opinions regarding subjects of a military nature should always be held in high regard, unless of course they sound like they are blowing smoke rings out their asses, LOL!

Katie & Lip,
I chose the name to make fun of blame america first crowd poster that claimed to be a former memeber of the 101st. I was in the 82nd, and we used to make fun of the 101 for not being an airborne unit yet claiming it. We also bagged on them for sitting on their thumbs through-out the 80's and 90's (typical interservice rivalry crap talking).
I have no idea who the poster is/was now because back then you could (and often did) post as "visitor" as well as your normal handle.

As does KG!

;-)

"I have known several combat veterans of WWII (who hasn't?). The ones who truly went through hell were much like this man, self-effacing, humble and honorable.

Can you imagine seeing what he saw at nineteen?

Posted by TedBaxter at 2008-08-15 08:54 AM"

---

No, ... I really can't. These soldiers fought so that we'd never have to either, ... but alas we always fumble the ball (on all sides). These men came home and tried to move on with their lives the best they could.

I totally agree about the true heros never saying much. My great uncle sat in a German Stalag for two years or so, and would NEVER speak of it. I remember as a kid re-runs of Hogans Heros coming on, and he would get very angry about the show / us watching it ... so we'd shut it off.

Another gentleman my dad used to fly with before passing was an F4U Corsair pilot in the pacific. He was shot down, and spent quite a long period of time in a Japanese POW camp. One day he loosened up enough to tell us about the arbitraty beheadings and all of those other horrific things you head of. Many (not all) Japanese ouldn't comprehend being a POW, they'd rather die if they could.... thus they were very harsh to the POW's in their charge.

This is a rambling post, but the point: we're losing these people every day. With them go these memories, horrific as they may seem. I find it quite sad.

But....the fine young ultraconservatives in Aryan Nation and the Nazi Party of America have assured us that these atrocities never took place.

He didn't flaunt his status as a liberator? How Iowan of him. Heart of gold.

101,
Yeah, 101 was never Airborne in your eyes, 82nd douchebag.

We became Airmobile, upgrading to rappeling as opposed to parachuting. I served as a LRRP for 2 years in the 101 and could care less about "jumping".

The prestige of the 101st hinges NOT upon your acknowledgment.

In spite of my opening remark about the 82nd, I have the utmost respect for the 82nd.

You, on the other hand, I'd pimp-slap as a Republican ass-sucking mouth-piece.

James Hoyt follows the true tradition of American Heroes, please don't embarass his memory with stupid comments. A kind soul passed away, if you can't honor him, just go away!

RIP-To those that deny this occurred, I would wish that the events during the war collectively called "The Holocaust" happened. But there are nearly no persons that deserve such horror.

Just one of the fewer surviving members of the military from WWII. Respect and rest to all.

Lost part of that last post.

that is "never" happened. I almost think that you deserve such things yourselves.