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My uncle George, whm I was named after, was a Marine killed at Tarawa. He was in a foxhole with several other Marines. The Japanese threw a grenade into the foxhole and my Uncle George jumped on it and saved the others. He was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously.
@The Raptor Your uncle (Private) George Philipps, Age 18, I assume..
Medal of Honor Citation
“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the 2d Battalion, 28th Marines, 5th Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 14 March 1945. Standing the foxhole watch while other members of his squad rested after a night of bitter handgrenade fighting against infiltrating Japanese troops, Pvt. Phillips was the only member of his unit alerted when an enemy handgrenade was tossed into their midst. Instantly shouting a warning, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body and protecting his comrades from serious injury. Stouthearted and indomitable, Pvt. Phillips willingly yielded his own life that his fellow marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His superb valor and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and upon the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.”
I have always visited cemeteries when it is possible. I have seen quite a few in Europe but the Normany American Cemetery is a heartbreaking show stopper. You just cannot visit that place and not burst into tears and have a hard lump in your throat as you take it in. The French take meticulous care of the grounds. I observed one man edging the sidewalk grass with a small hand clipper; nothing I saw was motorized but I did not see the vast lawn being cut.
This quote by Lincoln was there but I cannot find a picture of it.
"I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of Freedom."
Those were the words of the General who was in the movie Saving Private Ryan who sent out a patrol to find him. Lincoln’s letter was to a mother who lost 5 sons in the Civil War. Ryan’s mother lost 3 of her sons. I hope to go to Normandy. It’s on my Bucket List. I served in the Navy and visited the Arizona Memorial. It was also very moving and there were Navy veterans there who served in the Pacific. There was not a dry eye among them. Brothers were not allowed to serve on the same ship after the 5 Sullivan brothers were killed by a Jap torpedo.
^Ray, I have been to the Normandy Cemetary twice, and each time, it really moved me, In addition, I visited nearby Pointe du Hoc and the Mulberry Harbor at Arromanches, both important to the invasion.
Go spend some of that detailing money and visit them while you can!!! You won't regret it.
Last edited by jukngene; May 26, 2024 at 08:22 AM.
Yes, I have been twice, once when my family lived in Paris, then with Vito a few years ago on our Avalon river cruise from Paris to Normandy. Def worth a visit!
Watching the annual 35th Memorial Day Concert. I choke up every year I watch it. Gary Sinise and Joe Montana do an outstanding job of hosting it. The stories told about these incredible brave hero’s who made the ultimate sacrifice makes me proud to be a veteran who will never forget their sacrifices so that we may all live in a free country.
FWIIW: I get frustrated that so many people confuse Memorial Day with Veteran's Day. Over this weekend one of the music stations in the Washington DC Metro area is doing their Memorial Day 500 count down for the top 100 hits. Tonight the DJ Rick mentioned several times about thanking all of those of us that have severed. Yet, another person that is confused about Memorial Day with Veteran's Day. I tried to call their studio line to correct him, but gave up after the phone rang for several minutes and he never picked up the line.
P.S. If you wish to listen to their top 500 hits one can listen on Big100.3.com
