My dad fought in Italy. He brought back a WW2 German rifle. Actually it was used in WW1 and by 2, they gave them to the railroad police. Being a KY farmboy, he was a good hunter. All the guys liked him because he used it to supply them a lot of meat from what he called King Mussolina's deer.
D-League
- Thread starter Wildcat Droppings
- Start date
One of my most prized pistols in my collection is the jewel captured in WWII. It has the Nazi Colonel's name and address inside the holster. The pistol has matching serial numbers with the clip and I have the special orders authorizing the soldier to bring it home.
I heard that story. What part of Kentucky are we speaking?
Aurora and Symsonia is where he grew up.
Just back from a 2.5 mile hike in this 100°F degree heat.
Notes:
- Passed a guy lighting a crack pipe at North Park Shopping Center. Just kept walking.
- Passed a cute brunette -- for this area -- walking shoeless on hot sidewalk pushing a child's bicycle. Near Valero not far from Chuy's. I said, "Ooo. No shoes. Are you okay?". She smiled and said yes. "May I help you?" asked I. "No thanks" said she.
- Found 41 cents. Life is good.
Notes:
- Passed a guy lighting a crack pipe at North Park Shopping Center. Just kept walking.
- Passed a cute brunette -- for this area -- walking shoeless on hot sidewalk pushing a child's bicycle. Near Valero not far from Chuy's. I said, "Ooo. No shoes. Are you okay?". She smiled and said yes. "May I help you?" asked I. "No thanks" said she.
- Found 41 cents. Life is good.
Eisenhower's D-Day speech.
Reagan's speech is playing in the background.
Reagan's speech is playing in the background.
Last year we were set up at a craft show next to a fellow who had served at the time of the Korean war. He said he met Ike at some kind of event while still in uniform. He kind of apologized for not going to Korea. Ike told him, "Son, you serve where they tell you to go."
In Atlanta, Kentucky, and Florida you can fry eggs on the sidewalks and roads. In SA and Austin you fry steaks. That heat is no joke.
Here's the guy that shot and killed a deputy in W.Va. Looks like he was uncooperative.
Shamelessly ripped from Cats Coverage. Heh.
Here's the guy that shot and killed a deputy in W.Va. Looks like he was uncooperative.
Not sure of the circumstances but may look too good.
@starchief5 : Sad news. Danny Schultz passed away. RIP.
Former Tennessee basketball player Danny Schultz, a 1964 All-American, dies at 79
Former Tennessee Vols basketball player Danny Schultz, 79, has died, the university confirmed Monday.
www.knoxnews.com
Good morning from ATX. Currently 78°F and cloudy. High today may hit 102°F. Yesterday, we tied a record high set in 2011 at 103°F. This summer reminds me of 2011, but longer and hotter.
Wife freaking out about air conditioning. Our current system is 110-120v/gas. She's taking 4 bids for a new heat and AC unit. First vendor comes over this afternoon. Stay tuned.
Couple co-workers out today. Hope we're not too busy. Call with Microsoft at 11 am.
Wishing happiness and health for all our fellow D-League members.
Wife freaking out about air conditioning. Our current system is 110-120v/gas. She's taking 4 bids for a new heat and AC unit. First vendor comes over this afternoon. Stay tuned.
Couple co-workers out today. Hope we're not too busy. Call with Microsoft at 11 am.
Wishing happiness and health for all our fellow D-League members.
A little sign I passed by yesterday while day tripping. I have no idea why Levy County Ordinance 75-5 forbids me from shooting from the road and there wasn't anybody to ask.
A little sign I passed by yesterday while day tripping. I have no idea why Levy County Ordinance 75-5 forbids me from shooting from the road and there wasn't anybody to ask.
What a neighborhood Sir...
I guess this is okay though...
Good Morning all,
I hope your day goes like you envisioned. Drive as little as possible...save some serious dough...
I hope your day goes like you envisioned. Drive as little as possible...save some serious dough...
I am much too old to play these government games of you can't do this or you can't do that. I will obey all right and just laws but:What a neighborhood Sir...
I guess this is okay though...
No doubt that was a great generation worthy of our eternal respect.
But I was around a lot of young soldiers and Marines in Iraq and Afghanistan who I believe would have stood up to what it takes. And I think my college kid son and some of his buddies who were high school and AAU basketball teammates could show the right stuff if called upon.
Who were those kids who landed on Normandy? Farm boys and factory workers who had no interest in dying in France or even in just enduring army life but who stepped up because they thought it was the right thing to do -- or because of family or societal pressure. Studies have shown that very few members of a combat platoon in WW2 ever even fired a weapon much less behaved like Audie Murphy. They just tried to survive. But enough of them did enough to win the war.
Just my possibly optimistic take. There will always be a few heroes and enough others willing to at least do their duty.
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What a subject to wade into... Good points in any event. I don't see the intestinal fortitude from many young people now, or at least they are not showing it in any form. (No specific needs to show much...) I'd hope it could be brought out if needed/ was required. Maybe confronted with loss or life and death may cause the change. I will stop...
Baseball quote of the day
“If I hadn't met those two guys (Billy Martin and Whitey Ford) at the start of my career, I would have lasted another five years.” ~ Mickey Mantle
Heh.
“If I hadn't met those two guys (Billy Martin and Whitey Ford) at the start of my career, I would have lasted another five years.” ~ Mickey Mantle
Heh.
Actually, pretty spot on. Did some reading about Nam where many soldiers admitted to not taking a bead on the enemy but kept their heads down with their rifles up pointed in the direction of the enemy and just kept their fingers on the trigger until out of bullets then, reloaded. Also saw some footage where units saturated the jungle with bullets where they thought the enemy was or where they saw some movement.
I totally disagree. My son spent 20 in the army (an Iraqi vet), he answered the call. The guys in Iraq and Afhgan answered the call in spades. Plus they were not drafted.
I have faith in Americans.
I think I agreed Sir. A 20 year Army and Iraq vet is not today's young person.
I just desire that today's young people acted the part and portrayed the virtuous manly art of being a man more versus deferring. (May be hollywood portrayal but since I don't watch many movies now if any I cannot use that as an excuse for what I stated.) What I stated, I have seen. (Words mean things. I posted my words carefully.)
Also to caveat today's military. (I saw the pay stub (LES) of an E-7 with 14 years service just yesterday. It equated to 99k ANNUALLY. No way can that not be construed as a competitive job in today's economy.
A whole lot different than what I ever made annually in the military. Need to compare apples to apples in today's terms. Yep it is an all volunteer force but the compensation has sure changed too.
Edit:
To give credence to what I stated in this post. This is a two week LES and to also magnify the BAH is tax free.
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It is 72.7°F here and overcast. I had no internet yesterday. I reported it, spent 30 minutes on the phone with a tech unplugging the equipment and nothing worked. Then last night we had a large electric storm, lights went out for 50 minutes got 3.3 inches of rain. Low and behold this morning the modem is working. Go figure.
Paid $4.439 for gas at Sam's club. Lets go Brandon.
Paid $4.439 for gas at Sam's club. Lets go Brandon.
At some bases I was at (depending mainly on how likely we were to have an attack), we had what they called "harassment and interdiction". At random throughout the night, towers were called and told 5,000 or 10,000 rounds h and I with an M-60. You were supposed to spray the area in front of your post. You'd go through a lot of rounds in a night, but I suppose it made charlie think about, "are they going to start firing where I'm sneaking in?"
a FaceBook funny:
HA, Sir, as my Dad used to say, let's don't and say we did...
Holy crap!I think I agreed Sir. A 20 year Army and Iraq vet is not today's young person.
I just desire that today's young people acted the part and portrayed the virtuous manly art of being a man more versus deferring. (May be hollywood portrayal but since I don't watch many movies now if any I cannot use that as an excuse for what I stated.) What I stated, I have seen. (Words mean things. I posted my words carefully.)
Also to caveat today's military. (I saw the pay stub (LES) of an E-7 with 14 years service just yesterday. It equated to 99k ANNUALLY. No way can that not be construed as a competitive job in today's economy.
A whole lot different than what I ever made annually in the military. Need to compare apples to apples in today's terms. Yep it is an all volunteer force but the compensation has sure changed too.
Edit:
To give credence to what I stated in this post. This is a two week LES and to also magnify the BAH is tax free.
I earned ~$30K total annually, including BAQ (BAH) and separate rats, just before retirement. Took a pay cut when starting my new job as a sys admin (28K). Of course our side business and retirement pay helped lots 2001-2003.
Don't and say we did? Sounds kind of like gov work! Or Do and say we didn't? That sounds like gov to.HA, Sir, as my Dad used to say, let's don't and say we did...
I think with the right leadership Americans will fight until the death for freedom. One big problem in America we have now is leadership. We are being led down a path of wokeness that is a threat to democracy and freedom. From the Commanders-In-Chief to those in the chain of command below we have a serious leadership void in our military and government institutions. We have lost sight of the mission and the reason our forefathers established a military.
When my granddaughter accepted an appointment to the Air Force Academy my wife was dead set against it. I mean really dead set and actually upset. With the election of Biden she has no confidence in our current military or nation's leadership. I discussed it with her and told her the young lady had worked her butt off in the classroom and on the athletic field to be in a position to live her dream. She has wanted to be a pilot since a very young girl. She loves to fly and she loves to be in command. Leadership is a strenght she has. I told my wife that Biden and his regime are temporary. Chances are we will have a Commander In Chief someday that our granddaughter will be proud to serve under. If she can keep her nose to the grindstone and out of the weeds of wokeness the Academy preaches she will be just fine. But she deserve a chance for the many hours she dedicated to get the opportunity.
Also pointed out that all of the Universities she was interested in and recieved scholarships from are as WOKE as the Air Force Academy. So no matter where young people go today for an education it is going to hit them in the face. As parents and grandparents we just have to have them prepared to face it and keep the values they were raised on through the love of family and God.
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Don't and say we did? Sounds kind of like gov work! Or Do and say we didn't? That sounds like gov to.
I resemble that remark Sir.
It has changed. (That is why I verified it with a picture.) I sent my Mom half my salary part of when I was in and took home a little over $200.00. The picture I just posted was an E-7 with 14 years in. Times have changed. I know soldiers are considered 24/7 but even that is suspect now except in times of war.
I haven't even touched the medical and dental aspect. Not a bad salary... PLUS he has the option for retirement matching from the government (TSP)
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I don't recall how much I made, but while in Turkey, they were scared Turkey and Greece were going to war. Those of us in security were told to pack our alert gear in preparation to be in the air in less than one hour. We kept our weapons 24-7 and worked 12 hours on and 12 off without a day off for 3 months. I drew the 6 Pm to 6AM shift. We were zombies by the time it was over.
On the D-Day thing; we went shopping in Bowling Green yesterday. When we left I saw what I though was a B-17 on the down-wind leg of landing. We drove off and as I went down Lover's Lane I say him on final. He was less than a 1/2 mile away.
It was the first time I ever saw a real B-17, in flight, in my life. Of course you can't believe your lying eyes but today there was an article about a bunch of ventage planes in Bowling Green. My old 76 year old eyes did not let me down.
On D-Day: in Smiths Grove I have a distant cousin named Leon Tarter. He is a D-Day vet and is still alive. Also one of my favored cousins-in-law was Bill Sittley. This is boring but this is my story of him on Ancestry. It has been authorized by his wife:
Bill Sittley was one of my heros growing up.
Bill married my mothers cousin Evelyn Minyard. Evelyn Minyard was the daughter of Mazilla Cook. Aunt “Zillie’s” husband Shobe Minyard died in 1941 and Aunt Zillie lived with Bill and Evelyn in Louisville, KY after they were married until her death in 1979. Several times a year Bill and Evelyn would come to the country to see the extended family. My grandmother Sarah Jane Cook Elmore, Mazilla’s sister, lived next door to my parents. Because of these frequent trips I got to know Bill Sittley quite well.
Bill was an Army veteran of both World War II and Korea. He was one of the few World War II veterans that I knew who would actually talk about the war. Bill’s record was exemplary. He landed on Omaha beach on June 6, 1944 (D-Day) in Normandy France. He was one of three from his “Higgins” boat that survived the landing. Bill was shot twice before he found cover. He had a perfect 8mm scar on the front of his knee and a star shaped scar where the bullet exited. Additionally he was shot through the hand.
All of his Army buddies told him he had a “million dollar” wound (a “million dollar” wound is one that you survive but get sent back to the United States. He was hauled back to a ship for medical treatment and in just a few weeks instead of being sent back to the U.S. he was sent back to his unit fighting the Germans in the French hedgerow country in Normandy.
After rejoining his unit Bill was waking besides one of the infamous hedgerows where he encountered a German who, out of ammunition, ambushed Bill by hitting him in the head with the butt of his rifle. Bill allegedly killed the German but Bill always said that he did not remember anything after the rifle butt hit his jaw.
Again Bill’s Army buddies told him that he had a “million dollar” wound. Bill was again taken back to receive medical treatment for his jaw that was broken in two different places and several teeth missing. The medics wired his jaw shut and for 6 weeks Bill was on a liquid diet. But he was not sent back to the U.S. Instead after his jaw healed he was sent to Belgium for a little R&R. It was generally assumed that Belgium would be a quite place for units that had been beat up pretty badly to recuperate. So Bill got to enjoy some R and R for a few weeks.
Bill was feeling really good about Belgium until Hitler ordered the last great offensive of World War II in what would become known as the “Battle of the Bulge”. And there in the middle of it all was Bill Sittley, the GI who had already received two “million dollar” wounds but was still in Europe instead of the U.S. But Bill survived the “Battle of the Bulge” without being wounded. He just camped out in the snow and fought the Germans.
Bill’s last wound in World War II came in Germany when Bill (and this is his quote) ‘fell off a mountain’ and got part of a limb stuck in his upper leg. (He got drunk on Hitler's booze.)
Bill Sittley was one of those special people who never had a down day. Bill awoke every morning happy and in a good mood. His stories about World War II and Korea were funny stories. He laughed at how close he came to death and still survived. He would tell funny stories about the characters in his Army units. In other words Bill was just a joy to be around. His wife Evelyn states that until his death Bill Sittley was one of the very positive types.
I suppose after his experiences in France, Belgium, Germany and Korea he was just grateful to be alive and remained happy to the end.
Below is the data from the “U.S. Veterans Gravesites”. The U.S. saluted for his selfless service to the nation by allowing him to be buried in a special place for heros.
U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006
Name: William Francis Sittley
Service Info.: WOJG US ARMY WORLD WAR II, KOREA
Birth Date: 17 Sep 1919
Death Date: 27 May 2001
Service Start Date: 1 Feb 1941
Interment Date: 4 Jun 2001
Cemetery: Florida National Cemetery
Cemetery Address: 6502 SW. 102nd Ave. Bushnell, FL 33513
Buried At: Section 411 Site 1074
It was the first time I ever saw a real B-17, in flight, in my life. Of course you can't believe your lying eyes but today there was an article about a bunch of ventage planes in Bowling Green. My old 76 year old eyes did not let me down.
On D-Day: in Smiths Grove I have a distant cousin named Leon Tarter. He is a D-Day vet and is still alive. Also one of my favored cousins-in-law was Bill Sittley. This is boring but this is my story of him on Ancestry. It has been authorized by his wife:
Bill Sittley was one of my heros growing up.
Bill married my mothers cousin Evelyn Minyard. Evelyn Minyard was the daughter of Mazilla Cook. Aunt “Zillie’s” husband Shobe Minyard died in 1941 and Aunt Zillie lived with Bill and Evelyn in Louisville, KY after they were married until her death in 1979. Several times a year Bill and Evelyn would come to the country to see the extended family. My grandmother Sarah Jane Cook Elmore, Mazilla’s sister, lived next door to my parents. Because of these frequent trips I got to know Bill Sittley quite well.
Bill was an Army veteran of both World War II and Korea. He was one of the few World War II veterans that I knew who would actually talk about the war. Bill’s record was exemplary. He landed on Omaha beach on June 6, 1944 (D-Day) in Normandy France. He was one of three from his “Higgins” boat that survived the landing. Bill was shot twice before he found cover. He had a perfect 8mm scar on the front of his knee and a star shaped scar where the bullet exited. Additionally he was shot through the hand.
All of his Army buddies told him he had a “million dollar” wound (a “million dollar” wound is one that you survive but get sent back to the United States. He was hauled back to a ship for medical treatment and in just a few weeks instead of being sent back to the U.S. he was sent back to his unit fighting the Germans in the French hedgerow country in Normandy.
After rejoining his unit Bill was waking besides one of the infamous hedgerows where he encountered a German who, out of ammunition, ambushed Bill by hitting him in the head with the butt of his rifle. Bill allegedly killed the German but Bill always said that he did not remember anything after the rifle butt hit his jaw.
Again Bill’s Army buddies told him that he had a “million dollar” wound. Bill was again taken back to receive medical treatment for his jaw that was broken in two different places and several teeth missing. The medics wired his jaw shut and for 6 weeks Bill was on a liquid diet. But he was not sent back to the U.S. Instead after his jaw healed he was sent to Belgium for a little R&R. It was generally assumed that Belgium would be a quite place for units that had been beat up pretty badly to recuperate. So Bill got to enjoy some R and R for a few weeks.
Bill was feeling really good about Belgium until Hitler ordered the last great offensive of World War II in what would become known as the “Battle of the Bulge”. And there in the middle of it all was Bill Sittley, the GI who had already received two “million dollar” wounds but was still in Europe instead of the U.S. But Bill survived the “Battle of the Bulge” without being wounded. He just camped out in the snow and fought the Germans.
Bill’s last wound in World War II came in Germany when Bill (and this is his quote) ‘fell off a mountain’ and got part of a limb stuck in his upper leg. (He got drunk on Hitler's booze.)
Bill Sittley was one of those special people who never had a down day. Bill awoke every morning happy and in a good mood. His stories about World War II and Korea were funny stories. He laughed at how close he came to death and still survived. He would tell funny stories about the characters in his Army units. In other words Bill was just a joy to be around. His wife Evelyn states that until his death Bill Sittley was one of the very positive types.
I suppose after his experiences in France, Belgium, Germany and Korea he was just grateful to be alive and remained happy to the end.
Below is the data from the “U.S. Veterans Gravesites”. The U.S. saluted for his selfless service to the nation by allowing him to be buried in a special place for heros.
U.S. Veterans Gravesites, ca.1775-2006
Name: William Francis Sittley
Service Info.: WOJG US ARMY WORLD WAR II, KOREA
Birth Date: 17 Sep 1919
Death Date: 27 May 2001
Service Start Date: 1 Feb 1941
Interment Date: 4 Jun 2001
Cemetery: Florida National Cemetery
Cemetery Address: 6502 SW. 102nd Ave. Bushnell, FL 33513
Buried At: Section 411 Site 1074
One call with Microsoft complete. Starting another on a totally different case in two minutes.
It sure has changed. I think I went into the Army on about $65 a month. After Armor Training I think I went up to $85 or so. Then they sent me to the NCO Academy and later Drill Sgt School and I got over the $100 hump. I became an E5 after 9 months in the Army with a graduation from DI school. I got married after 9 months in the service and if I recall correctly I may have received another $25 or $30 a month. After two years I was discharged at about $130 or so a month.
My granddaughter will receive a percentage of a 2nd Lt's pay when she starts the Air Force Academy. In addition to the full scholarship of a Cadet. I bet that is way more than I made at discharge.
You have to factor in the time spent away and the hours at work too while active. Many today that are in that rank range and years in the Army have been deployed many times and have spent a great deal of time away from home and in combat zones. Combat arms units definitely earn it. Then when retired they only get half of the basic pay and not half of everything they make while in. I am glad that the pay has gone up because with the hours worked they/we were not compensated near enough.I think I agreed Sir. A 20 year Army and Iraq vet is not today's young person.
I just desire that today's young people acted the part and portrayed the virtuous manly art of being a man more versus deferring. (May be hollywood portrayal but since I don't watch many movies now if any I cannot use that as an excuse for what I stated.) What I stated, I have seen. (Words mean things. I posted my words carefully.)
Also to caveat today's military. (I saw the pay stub (LES) of an E-7 with 14 years service just yesterday. It equated to 99k ANNUALLY. No way can that not be construed as a competitive job in today's economy.
A whole lot different than what I ever made annually in the military. Need to compare apples to apples in today's terms. Yep it is an all volunteer force but the compensation has sure changed too.
Edit:
To give credence to what I stated in this post. This is a two week LES and to also magnify the BAH is tax free.
So who is the 4th guy?Baseball quote of the day
“If I hadn't met those two guys (Billy Martin and Whitey Ford) at the start of my career, I would have lasted another five years.” ~ Mickey Mantle
Heh.
MM would have needed a new liver anyway.
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