Memorial Day Memories

Chat about non-baseball topics. No political discussions!
Online
User avatar
SunnyJim
Veteran Player
Posts: 763
Joined: December 25 20, 4:03 pm
Location: Appleton, WI

Re: Memorial Day Memories

Post by SunnyJim »

sighyoung wrote:
May 31 21, 8:26 pm
I have one distant relative, Samuel Cole, who served with the 28th U.S. Colored Infantry during the Civil War. He died at Petersburg, Virginia: I don't know if he died in the Battle of the Crater, though, but he could have been one of the unlucky soldiers that Ambrose Burnside marched right in: https://www.lawrencelore.org/portee-cemetery-c1rf0

Another relative, my great-great uncle Charles D. Anderson, was a Confederate general from Georgia. I don't know much about him, but he survived the war and died in 1901, apparently. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_D._Anderson

My grandfather enlisted and served during World War I. He was a member of the 809th Pioneer Infantry, which was a unit trained in infantry tactics and combat engineering such as building roads and prefabricated structures, but in practical terms, he likely performed all kinds of physical labor, including loading and unloading ships. He set out for France in September 1918 at the height of the deadly influenza pandemic, and may have been aboard the ship in which several pioneer infantrymen died from the flu. He didn't see combat, but served honorably and was discharged in July 1919. His effects are held in the Veterans Memorial Museum of Terre Haute:
https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/ ... e=60DACAEE

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/ ... e=60DA475E

My great-uncle Rufus Atwood earned a Bronze Star during World War I--here's the story: https://blackquotidian.supdigital.org/b ... ber-2-1933
He made it back home, and later served as president of Kentucky State University for more than 30 years: https://www.kysu.edu/academics/atwood/o ... atwood.php

My father was drafted during the Korean Conflict from 1952-54, but didn't see combat at all.
My grandfather said he lead a squad of former Buffalo Soldiers during WWI.

I was young when he talked about it. I might have misunderstood.

Did some research and it turns out there were many Buffalo Soldiers involved in the
US/Mexico border conflict as well as WWI.

Tags:

Online
User avatar
Radbird
There's someone in my head but it's not me
Posts: 57439
Joined: April 18 06, 5:08 pm
Location: LF Bleachers @ Busch II

Re: Memorial Day Memories

Post by Radbird »

We still haven’t made the Italy trip. Hoping for later this year but my sister’s health isn’t good so nothing is certain.
SunnyJim wrote:
May 29 21, 9:01 am
Once again we honor those who served our country and were killed in action.

Many confuse Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. Veteran's day is for those who served.
My dad survived WWII but died on Memorial Day 2010 in the Alzheimer’s ward of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. For us, today has become a day to honor his memory as well.

Online
User avatar
SunnyJim
Veteran Player
Posts: 763
Joined: December 25 20, 4:03 pm
Location: Appleton, WI

Re: Memorial Day Memories

Post by SunnyJim »

Radbird wrote:
May 30 22, 2:57 pm
We still haven’t made the Italy trip. Hoping for later this year but my sister’s health isn’t good so nothing is certain.
SunnyJim wrote:
May 29 21, 9:01 am
Once again we honor those who served our country and were killed in action.

Many confuse Memorial Day and Veteran's Day. Veteran's day is for those who served.
My dad survived WWII but died on Memorial Day 2010 in the Alzheimer’s ward of the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau. For us, today has become a day to honor his memory as well.
Well said. My father survived WWII and my grandfather survived WWI despite being wounded. But, we revere their service today.

I was referring more to veterans who are still alive.

User avatar
IMADreamer
Has an anecdote about a townie he overheard.
Posts: 12654
Joined: December 6 10, 1:09 am
Location: Illinois

Re: Memorial Day Memories

Post by IMADreamer »

We spent Memorial day weekend in our nation's capitol. Arlington cemetery was one of the most humbling places I've ever been. Watching the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier was something I can't put into words.

AWvsCBsteeeerike3
"I could totally eat a pig butt, if smoked correctly!"
Posts: 27273
Joined: August 5 08, 11:24 am
Location: Thinking of the Children

Re: Memorial Day Memories

Post by AWvsCBsteeeerike3 »

I was talking to Mrs. AW about how somber the thought of Memorial Day is, especially in comparison to how most of the nation treats the day (extra party day akin to 4th of July or Labor Day). I'm guilty of this as well, not passing any judgement, just an observation.

But, @IMADreamer 's post made me think about it again.

Post Reply