Large Scale Central

Remembrance Day in the Commonwealth

General Discussion
#1

At 11am UK time today I’ll be standing in a little church graveyard about nine miles from my house, paying my small tribute to four Canadian airmen who never got to go home.

Image from another site - http://theswissriflesdotcommessageboard.yuku.com/topic/8535

Graves - Left to right -

Sgt Norman Boyce RCAF
Sgt Bob Dobie RCAF
Flt Sgt Don Lindsey RCAF
Flt Sgt Joe O’Leary RCAF

All died 26 March 1942.

And also my grandfather, Pte William V Collins +21-6-1917

Then, an hour later, I’ll be over at the US Military Cemetery at Madingley, paying my respects to -

Lt Thomas A Foley of Oregon - Wall of Remembrance

and

Cpl John H Foley - Row O, plot 58

tac

#2

Thank you Veterans!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kX_3y3u5Uo

#3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e4jqTF6aks

#4

In Memory of Capt. Joshua Todd Byers…

http://www.west-point.org/users/usma1996/53018/JoshByersTheTorch.htm

There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. Jn 15:13

#5

…in memory of my uncle; Percy Mills, Canadian Army…gave his life for our freedoms in the first World war. He is in an unknown grave…

Fred Mills.

I remember…

#6

When I look out into Lyme Bay I often think of all the Canadian and American servicemen who came to Europe to our aid. Many never returned home and are at rest here.

I often think about the civilian forces, such as firefighters, police, nurses and merchant seamen who also gave their lives in the conflicts, not just in Europe but in many Countries overrun by the tyranical forces.

Let us never forget them. RIP

#7

Here in N. California, we are mourning the death of a special friend, neighbor and American hero:

Local resident Mr. Carroll Pratt passed away at 6:00pm, Thursday, 11/11/10.

Carroll was a B24 pilot stationed in England during the second World War. His airplane was shot down over Germany in 1943. He and his surviving crew members (1/2 of his crew perished in the airplane) spent 2 years in a German prisoner of war camp. They were denied most medical care, and were basically starving for much of the time they spent in captivity. This treatment affected him physically for the rest of this life, but Carroll never complained even though there were many times when he was obviously in great pain.

Starting in the mid 1950s, he had a long and very successful career as a sound expert in the movie and TV industry. He was the creator of numerous inventions and techniques that are now standard equipment and procedure.

He moved to our small community in the 1980s and immediately become a volunteer for such things as the public radio station we were then building. He was the president of the radio station board for a number of years, and remained in a significant leadership position until his death.

In the last few years he was severely crippled by scoliosis, but he continued to live and work on his vineyard / ranch property and to drive to local events. Carroll was always up for a dinner out, and was a delight to be with.

As I wrote above, he was the best friend and neighbor that any community could ask for. All of us in this community are very sad at his passing at age 89.

Rest in Peace Carroll Pratt, A True American Hero.

Jerry