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Cherry
Group: Registered User
Last Login: Yesterday @ 10:32 AM
Posts: 8,
Visits: 146
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| Spent last week in St. Mere Eglise, France. The last time I was there was in "84" when I jumped in with Division, (sprained my ankle trying to avoid a hedgerow on La Fiere DZ). It was an incredible trip. Every night was spent consuming vast quantities at the Stop Bar with Paras from Germany, The UK, and sadly, not many of our own,(too busy taking care of business). However there should be at least a company of active duty 82nd Troopers there every year no matter what. I got into a heated discussion with some Air Force puke who was talking smack about the Airborne within spitting distance of the steeple that Pvt. John Steele hung from on 6 June 44. After informing him he was merely a chauffeur and had some serious balls speaking the way he did on Airborne Blood soaked ground he relented and apologized. British 4 Para standing beside and behind me may have helped. I met WW2 Vets,Bob Murphy 505 PFDR who wrote "No better place to Die",(he also signed my copy).Julius Eisner 505 PFDR. Don Mckaye, 5 combat jumps, Howard Manion, and Bill Sullivan. These numbers are getting smaller every year. These guys are there every year if they are alive. They go to honor fallen comrades and pay respect. I got choked up speaking to them too many times to count. Next year will mark the last big anniversary #65. Next year I will not take my wife but instead make it a boys trip. She got a little tired of ferrying my drunken ass home every night and green-lighted me to go solo next year. I spent the previous week visiting Nijmegan, Grave,and Bastogne which was also pretty intense. I strongly encourage anyone who is into the Airborne History to make this pilgrimage. You won't be disappointed. The fellowship of Paratroopers from many countries past and present is a powerful and thirsty force. There are many ceremonies, battlsite tours and even a jump to see.Start planning now, you've got a year!
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The Shackman
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 9/16/2008 2:53 PM
Posts: 54,
Visits: 117
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Congrats on making it to "THE PLACE". I am so jealous I'm gonna have to take you up on your challenge. One of the guys from the Orange Co. Lew Millett Chapter went there for the 60th and still tells stories about it. I was able to see Bastogne, and Dinant when I was in Brussels for 4 mos. in '96. That was OK and I might as well see if I can get a group of us to go to France next year since like you said it'll be the last big one for a lot of the troops who participated. I would like to talk to you about Logistics if you don't mind? If you could give me a call or PM me for POC I'd appreciate it. That will get me started.
FRATER INFINITAS"When you guys get home and face an anti-war protester, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend, because she knows she's dating a pussy." No Sky Too High......No Blast Too Fast,,, You Call, We Fall......Eighty-Deuce On The Loose!
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Regular Joe
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 11/12/2008 10:10 PM
Posts: 92,
Visits: 303
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| Awesome! I'd love to do this someday. Alas, by the time I get to, all the WWII warriors will probably be gone...
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Cherry
Group: Registered User
Last Login: Yesterday @ 10:32 AM
Posts: 8,
Visits: 146
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| I would be willing to organize a group if there is interest. PM me.
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Air Force Liaison/P.Net Original Cast of Characters
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: Yesterday @ 8:02 PM
Posts: 3,390,
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I saw pics of my old Battalion Commander Keith M. Nightengale giving tours of the beaches to some SEATAF folks in maroon berets on 4 June.........
LOAD CLEAR! LOAD CLEAR! Your Job is my Hobby!
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Stare Master
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: Yesterday @ 8:07 PM
Posts: 9,817,
Visits: 52,042
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| I believe the Static Line is doing a tour next year if you want to hook up with them. Don Lassen and a number of WWII vets are planning on attending. And Al, it's SETAF and not SEATAF. Boy, you put on a blue uniform and forget how to spell acronyms.
Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you, Jesus Christ and the American GI. One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.
"History teaches that when you become indifferent and lose the will to fight someone who has the will to fight will take over." COLONEL BULL SIMONS
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Cherry
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 9/18/2008 11:21 AM
Posts: 22,
Visits: 470
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I was there too!! My unit got to jump again. Too bad I ruptured my Achilles Tendon. My commander let me make the trip and made me the tour guide for the wifes that wanted to go to Normandy. We also ran into Bob Murphy and took some pics with CPT Dale Dye. He was there filming some new documentary about the Airborne. It was a blast. I will post some pics soon. Maybe you saw me hobbeling around on crutches at the Stop Bar?
[url=http://militarysignatures.com] [/url]
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Cherry
Group: Registered User
Last Login: Yesterday @ 6:51 AM
Posts: 19,
Visits: 396
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Mortarman11c (6/14/2008)
I saw pics of my old Battalion Commander Keith M. Nightengale giving tours of the beaches to some SEATAF folks in maroon berets on 4 June.........Hey, he was our commander when we jumped into Ste. Mere in '84. He was always saying, "Shit hot, men." What the hell does that mean? - Seemed to be a good man and motivated commander.
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