June 6, 1944

[Strychnine]

WWII veteran missing from U.K. nursing home turns up in Normandy





LONDON - An 89-year old World War II veteran who was reported missing from a nursing home in England has been found in Normandy after traveling to attend D-Day commemorations, police said Friday.

Bernard Jordan was last seen at The Pines home in Hove, southern England, on Thursday morning. Staff called police when he did not return that evening

Sussex Police said Friday that another veteran later called to say he and Jordan were at a hotel in Ouistreham, France. Officers also spoke to Jordan and determined he was fine.

The force said Jordan left the home wearing his service medals and joined a group of veterans heading to France by bus.

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp tweeted: "Veteran reported missing by care home who said he can't go to Normandy for D-Day remembrance. We've found him there!"

The home denied it had banned Jordan, a Royal Navy veteran and former mayor of Hove, from going to the commemorations.

"In fact, staff at the home tried to get Mr. Jordan onto an accredited tour with the Royal British Legion but, due to the last-minute nature of the request, this was not possible," chief executive Peter Curtis said in a statement.

"Mr. Jordan was reported missing to the police yesterday evening as a matter of caution, because he did not return from his normal trip to town and when he left had not told us he was still intent on trying to get to Normandy."

Police said in a statement that Jordan's friends "are going to ensure he gets back to Hove safely over the next couple of days after the D-Day celebrations finish."

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/wwii-veteran-missing-from-nursing-home-turns-up-in-normandy/

[Strychnine]

Bump.

[CJ]

God bless those men.

[lincolnboy]

http://www.defense.gov/home/features/2014/0614_dday/

[Moose242]

[bluecollar]

My Dad's father was in WWII, but that's about all I know. I need to start doing some research. He came back from the war, but was killed on a oil rig a few years later. My dad was very young when he passed, so he doesn't know or remember much either.

I've got his DD214 (I believe), as well as some other papers. What is the best way to look up his service history?

I also have a contract for him from Sun Records. He passed away before he could be signed to the label. There is also a letter discussing he and Johnny Cash collaborating, as they were both going to be new to the label with similar sounds.

[CJ]

Very interesting to see this. I've been to each of those locations, oddly enough, and it is very difficult to imagine the death and chaos that took place there. It always seems like you're at the wrong beach, or the wrong cliff side. Pointe Du Hoc is a little different, however. The craters pock a huge grassy field. When you first see it, it reminds you of a well manicured golf course. Then your realize it isn't landscaping, it's shell craters.

Probably the most shocking thing I saw in Normandy was the beach. And it wasn't the fact I was there seeing it. What amazed me was how large and long that beach is. I don't think any movie accurately even comes close to the distance the water is from the cliffside/foliage. It is unbelievably far.

[68RR]

The "ancient ones", as my friend calls himself, are fast fading from life. Here's Jack's email he sent today..

Bill




"D-DAY 1944; I was working in the Darkroom in Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea on the other side of the world, it was just another day. We had been in the S.W. Pacific almost 2-1/2 years wondering if we would ever see that Golden Gate Bridge again. Then we got word of the Normandy Landings in France, HOPE was reborn. Maybe now if they ended it over there we would be get what we needed in the Pacific to end it over here. A month later in July they started the Rotation System, where the “oldtimers” over here would be sent home. My good Buddy Tack made the first list that month. There always seemed to be a shortage of Photo Lab Techs – I would wait 6 months before I finally was handed my Rotation Order Jan. 12, 1945. Thanx to a Merciful God and an ever vigilant Guardian Angel I sailed back under that Golden Gate Bridge Mar. 8, 1945 – 3 years, 1 month and 8 days after leaving.



6 June 1944, - assault on the beaches of Normandy by brave warriors - lest we should ever forget. The words below were penned by the most decorated soldier of WW II, Audie Murphy. He wrote this in 1968; the original title was Freedom Flies In Your Heart Like An Eagle.


DUSTY OLD HELMET


Dusty old helmet, rusty old gun

They sit in the corner and wait—

Two souvenirs of the Second World War

That have withstood the time, and the hate


Many times I’ve wanted to ask them—

And now that we’re here all alone,

Relics all three of a long ago war—

Where has freedom gone?


Mute witness to a time of much trouble,

Where kill or be killed was the law—

Were these implements used with high honor?

What was the glory they saw?


Freedom flies in your heart like an eagle

Let it soar with the winds high above

Among the spirits of soldiers now sleeping,

Guard it with care and with love.


I salute my old friends in the corner,

I agree with all they have said,

And if the moment of truth comes tomorrow,

I’ll be free, or by God, I’ll be dead


Audie Murphy

[juiceweezl]

Hat's off and glasses up in toast to the Greatest Generation. RIP to the brave souls at Normandy and everywhere else.

[Huls2304]

[orphan Shelby]

"Poppy" was one of the crazy ones. 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagles".

Yes, he jumped out of a plane, heavy cloud cover, middle of the night and promptly got lost behind enemy lines.

The only things I ever got out of him was :

1) *sighs*, I don't know how many Germans I killed
2) I hated bushes, they were the worst ambush points along the road.

He received a purple heart for falling off a train...because he was horsing around...lol

Wonder if he's in this pic with my Grandad. Also have a cool book about their trip you might have also. Can't picture him as being one of the "butchers with big pockets". Nicest person you could ever have met.