Veteran Thank You Thread.....

[Wittpilot]

Well, I was at work today and thought about the idea of a thread where we can post maybe a story, a photo, a name, anything about maybe a family member, a friend, or yourself whom you would like to thank on this Veterans Day.... Anybody across the globe who wants to share thanks can do so.... If the thread doesn't take off then I won't be offended... just thought it might be one of those "neat threads"...

Here's mine

My Grandfather.....

Richard E. Drain 44 Combat Missions

25 Missions - 99th Bomb Group, 416th BS 15th Air Force
-Flew first high level Ploesti Mission 4/5/44
-Flew as Radio Operator on B-17G "Turnip Termite"

19 Missions - 390th Bomb Group, 570th BS 8th Air Force
- B-17G "Bomboogie"

Was in the Air Force in Intelligence until the mid-80's...

Taken in '44

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/231/chicknove1944.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/chicknove1944.jpg/)

Training at McDill

http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/8964/chickmcdillfield1943.jpg (http://img21.imageshack.us/i/chickmcdillfield1943.jpg/)


England '44

http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/8758/dickdraingenenelsonengl.jpg (http://img32.imageshack.us/i/dickdraingenenelsonengl.jpg/)


Later a Major on Shemya in the Aleutians...

http://img255.imageshack.us/img255/7830/chickshemya1966m.jpg (http://img255.imageshack.us/i/chickshemya1966m.jpg/)

[Cloud9Gal]

Wittpilot~ What a wonderful idea! Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your grandfather's life. How precious the memories we create with our loved ones.

I loved the pictures! Your grandfather was a handsome man :)

Blessings~

[Toastmaker]

Good idea, Witt.

My dad, James P. Rozar at 20 years old was a top turret gunner and engineer on B-24's with the 15th AF. Based at Castellucia, one of the many 15th AF bases around Foggia, Italy. Completed 18 combat missions and shot down on Oct. 13, 1944, over Vienna, Austria. Captured and spent the rest of the war in Stalag III and VI.

He said that one day they woke up and the Germans were gone! Just gone and they weren't sure what was going on until a British Armored column roled up to the main gate. he spent three weeks in a hospital in Reims, France before being sent back to the states.

Unfortunately, his new wife (my mom) had received a KIA notice by error and did not know that he was a prisoner for three months until the International Red Cross sent his name in with lists received from the Germans.

He retired from the USAF in 1971 and died Sept 3, 2003.

I miss him a lot.

[Snuffy]

Thanks Witt! And Thanks to your Grandfather!

Thanks to all those that served and especially those that gave all.

:medals: :engel016:

[BOOM]

Fantastic story's and pics!!! Cheers for sharing!!!:medals: