T1B

Wolfman wrote:I knew a guy at our church here. Was at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Lived through all that and down here in his 80's gets T-boned by a dump truck running a red light. I always say that "when your ticket is punched--it is punched."

Goober McTuber wrote:My uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

Screw_Michigan wrote:

Goober McTuber wrote:My uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

That's something you fight every day, right Tubby?

Tom wrote:I am in utter awe of the humility displayed by these men. BSmack sports a quote in his sig that captures it.

Screw_Michigan wrote:Jizz-mopping isn't 9-to-5. Trust me, I know.

Sudden Sam wrote:That guy up front in the raft (lower right) looks like he thought he'd found a way outta the invasion, but got dragged back into it!

MuchoBulls wrote:

Sudden Sam wrote:That guy up front in the raft (lower right) looks like he thought he'd found a way outta the invasion, but got dragged back into it!

It almost looks like both dudes in the raft might have been wounded.

Van wrote:

Tom wrote:I am in utter awe of the humility displayed by these men. BSmack sports a quote in his sig that captures it.

And then some, I'd say!

BSmack's sig...

Screw_Michigan wrote:Jizz-mopping isn't 9-to-5. Trust me, I know.

Tom In VA wrote: Sergeant Mike Ranney, "'I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said 'No… but I served in a company of heroes…'"

Martyred wrote:
The most cringe-worthy assembly of words I have ever seen on the interwebs.

Probably fake, too.

Martyred wrote:

Tom In VA wrote: Sergeant Mike Ranney, "'I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said 'No… but I served in a company of heroes…'"

The most cringe-worthy assembly of words I have ever seen on the interwebs.

Probably fake, too.

Martyred wrote:Just a thought:

Do you think WWII vets see Iraq and Afghanistan vets as "soft,winy pussies"?

My guess would be yes.

Tom In VA wrote:

Martyred wrote:
The most cringe-worthy assembly of words I have ever seen on the interwebs.

Probably fake, too.

That's your problem bro. As for its authenticity, the dude who said it was quite decorated

http://www.frankdeangelis.com/Staff%20S ... Ranney.htm



Probably wrote a bit. So -- I'm a believer.

mvscal wrote:

Martyred wrote:Just a thought:

Do you think WWII vets see Iraq and Afghanistan vets as "soft,winy pussies"?

My guess would be yes.

Not a chance. They would probably be a little jealous of the chow, though.

Martyred wrote:WWII Vet: "If I can just crawl past that enfilade fire from the two MG-42's, I can slide this charge under the Panther..."

Iraq/Afghan Vet: " Wahhhh! I have PTSD! The air-conditioning in my trailer is broken and my Fresca is warm! CORPSMAN!!!"

mvscal wrote:Ranney was being bluntly, soul crushingly honest not modest. He has no awards for gallantry in action. His bronze stars do not have "V" device which means they were awarded for meritorious service and anybody could pick up a purple heart. The rest of the medals are 'atta boys' and participation awards.

Audie suffered from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTS) and was plagued by insomnia and depression. During the mid-60's he became dependent for a time on doctor prescribed sleeping pills called Placidyl. When he recognized that he had become addicted to this prescription drug, he locked himself in a motel room, stopped taking the sleeping pills and went through withdrawal symptoms for a week.

Always an advocate for the needs of veterans, he broke the taboo about discussing war related mental problems after this experience. In a effort to draw attention to the problems of returning Korean and Vietnam War veterans, Audie Murphy spoke-out candidly about his personal problems with PTS, then known as "Battle Fatigue". He publicly called for United States government to give more consideration and study to the emotional impact war has on veterans and to extend health care benefits to address PTS and other mental health problems of returning war vets.

While on a business trip on May 28, 1971, (Memorial Day Weekend) he was killed at the age of 46. A private plane flying in fog and rain crashed in the side of a mountain near Roanoke, Virginia. Five others including the pilot were also killed. Although Audie owned and flew his own plane earlier in his career at Hollywood, he was among the passengers that tragic day.

Tom In VA wrote:

mvscal wrote:Ranney was being bluntly, soul crushingly honest not modest. He has no awards for gallantry in action. His bronze stars do not have "V" device which means they were awarded for meritorious service and anybody could pick up a purple heart. The rest of the medals are 'atta boys' and participation awards.

The sentiment was echoed by his C.O. and while the words weren't the same; by many who did in fact win medals for gallantry.

88 wrote:I can't imagine what it must have been like to step off of one of those landing craft into that hell.

Wolfman wrote:asshole !

mvscal wrote: There is a very profound difference between modesty and honesty.

When Dick Winters says something like he wasn't a hero he just served with them, he is lying out his ass. That particular type of dishonesty is called modesty.

Tom In VA wrote:

mvscal wrote: There is a very profound difference between modesty and honesty.

When Dick Winters says something like he wasn't a hero he just served with them, he is lying out his ass. That particular type of dishonesty is called modesty.

I accept that as your perception of his statement.

Tom In VA wrote:Same here man. If you were here and we were in a foxhole when the shit hit the fan ( a citizen kept trying to go down a blocked road to get to their home), I'd let you know that warm liquid pooling in our fighting hole was really me pissing my pants.

mvscal wrote:

Tom In VA wrote:

mvscal wrote:Ranney was being bluntly, soul crushingly honest not modest. He has no awards for gallantry in action. His bronze stars do not have "V" device which means they were awarded for meritorious service and anybody could pick up a purple heart. The rest of the medals are 'atta boys' and participation awards.

The sentiment was echoed by his C.O. and while the words weren't the same; by many who did in fact win medals for gallantry.

There is a very profound difference between modesty and honesty.

When Dick Winters says something like he wasn't a hero he just served with them, he is lying out his ass. That particular type of dishonesty is called modesty.

BarFlie wrote: Chances are he was in the vicinity of a hero or two.

mvscal wrote:

BarFlie wrote: Chances are he was in the vicinity of a hero or two.

No doubt. That's what he said, right?

Audie suffered from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTS) and was plagued by insomnia and depression. During the mid-60's he became dependent for a time on doctor prescribed sleeping pills called Placidyl.

Jsc810 wrote:Rack the D-Day photos and all of those soldiers.

Here are some more military photos, taken recently in Afghanistan. Rack those soldiers too.

BarFlie wrote:

mvscal wrote:

BarFlie wrote: Chances are he was in the vicinity of a hero or two.

No doubt. That's what he said, right?

yes , so i'm thinking lying out his ass was a bit harsh is all.

smackaholic wrote:i do remember him saying that the guys in nam had it a lot easier than he in that they had helos to drop them off and bring them back wereas he and his buddies were kicked out of c-47s and were on their own.

mvscal wrote:I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I said a guy with a DSC or MOH saying, "I was no hero, I just served with them." is lying out his ass. It was just an example to distinguish simple honesty from misleading modesty.

When Ranney said he was no hero, he was just telling the truth. He served with honor and did his duty commendably, but there is nothing in his awards to show that he went above and beyond the call of duty.