I read the post on Controversial Corner regarding BObama not recognising D Day. I don't want this thread to go political but I'd like to hear stories from members who's parents or relatives are WWII vets.
My mother, Iris, is a WWII vet - Lt in the RAF. Served in South Africa, up North and did a short spell in Italy. She was in charge of air, land and sea troop movements. Caught a German spy and broke his legs witha knob-kierrie (Zulu version of a bola thingy), had her peak shot off her head whilst riding her Bonneville past the now Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, South Africa by the "Ossewa Brandwag" - the Nazi supporters in SA - the "Oxwagen Fire Watch", was in Italy when Mussolini was hanged and actually took photos of this for her CO. She's got a chest full of medals, marched next to Jan Smuts. Loads of stories. My nephew who is permanent force in the SA Airforce has her medals, my father's medals and my mom's cap with a hole in it. She's a crazy ol' duck of 87 now. I'll be seeing her next week and I'm afraid it may be one of the last times I'll see her. She's having more bad days than good ones but she's still sharp!
My great aunt, Lily, was in the Resistance movement in France. She was a wild woman. I only knew her for a few short years when I was a kid but I've not forgotten the stories she told me. She gave me a ruby ring - the ruby was chipped. Her story was that she used the ring to 'tap out her messages' instead of her finger!
It's the stories these Vets tell that are so precious to me and I'm just afraid that not enough personal story records are being kept for us to pass on to our kids and grandkids. These incredible soldiers should be saluted at the highest level.
To all WWII Vets - I stand in awe and respect and Salute You!
My mother, Iris, is a WWII vet - Lt in the RAF. Served in South Africa, up North and did a short spell in Italy. She was in charge of air, land and sea troop movements. Caught a German spy and broke his legs witha knob-kierrie (Zulu version of a bola thingy), had her peak shot off her head whilst riding her Bonneville past the now Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria, South Africa by the "Ossewa Brandwag" - the Nazi supporters in SA - the "Oxwagen Fire Watch", was in Italy when Mussolini was hanged and actually took photos of this for her CO. She's got a chest full of medals, marched next to Jan Smuts. Loads of stories. My nephew who is permanent force in the SA Airforce has her medals, my father's medals and my mom's cap with a hole in it. She's a crazy ol' duck of 87 now. I'll be seeing her next week and I'm afraid it may be one of the last times I'll see her. She's having more bad days than good ones but she's still sharp!
My great aunt, Lily, was in the Resistance movement in France. She was a wild woman. I only knew her for a few short years when I was a kid but I've not forgotten the stories she told me. She gave me a ruby ring - the ruby was chipped. Her story was that she used the ring to 'tap out her messages' instead of her finger!
It's the stories these Vets tell that are so precious to me and I'm just afraid that not enough personal story records are being kept for us to pass on to our kids and grandkids. These incredible soldiers should be saluted at the highest level.
To all WWII Vets - I stand in awe and respect and Salute You!