Ray Marvin Olmsted
A WWII verteran, Dad never talked much about the war when I was a younger. Maybe it was partly my attitude about the then Vietnam War.
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A few years ago during a visit I asked if he still had his old Ike jacket. I used to sneak it out of the house and wear it to high school.
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He told me then he’d served in Algeria, North Africa and was in Oran when Rommel was there to stop Germans from entering.
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He was a Corporal 5th Grade Mortorpool Technician attached to Yankee Division.
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And served 5 years. Each gold bar equals 6 months and the blue slash equals 3 years.
He learned to be a mechanic which served him well when returning home. He worked for his father-in-law at first in a small local service station then moved to a Cadillac dealer and went from mechanic to Service Manager before retiring about 45 years later.
Dad at my birthday party in S Texas in 2005
My Dad had a couple strokes starting about two years ago. He currently lives in a nursing home in South Texas, and isn’t very happy about it.
I don’t usually support wars because they don’t resolve much. Yet I wasn’t alive for WWII, so I thank my Dad and all the other people who went to war to protect our country.
Happy Memorial Dad!
A WWII verteran, Dad never talked much about the war when I was a younger. Maybe it was partly my attitude about the then Vietnam War.
.jpg)
A few years ago during a visit I asked if he still had his old Ike jacket. I used to sneak it out of the house and wear it to high school.
.jpg)
He told me then he’d served in Algeria, North Africa and was in Oran when Rommel was there to stop Germans from entering.
.jpg)
He was a Corporal 5th Grade Mortorpool Technician attached to Yankee Division.
.jpg)
And served 5 years. Each gold bar equals 6 months and the blue slash equals 3 years.
He learned to be a mechanic which served him well when returning home. He worked for his father-in-law at first in a small local service station then moved to a Cadillac dealer and went from mechanic to Service Manager before retiring about 45 years later.
Dad at my birthday party in S Texas in 2005
My Dad had a couple strokes starting about two years ago. He currently lives in a nursing home in South Texas, and isn’t very happy about it.
I don’t usually support wars because they don’t resolve much. Yet I wasn’t alive for WWII, so I thank my Dad and all the other people who went to war to protect our country.
Happy Memorial Dad!
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23 comments:
Same with me. I was not alive for WWII, but imagine the Nazi regieme would have survived. I don't love wars and fighting, but thanks to your father ... I wish him all the best!
I was alive for WWII and am grateful and proud of the men and women who served. However, I was not in favor of Vietnam or Iraq, but it is the government that I blame for those and felt and feel nothing but compassion for all our young men and women have had to suffer in serving a government that has betrayed them, did/does not support them, Can only hope that will eventually change with this administration.
My best to your father, I wish only the best for him.
Thanks, Gaelyn, for a very moving post!
Lovely tribute.
I did a website for my dad. I knew he was dying (brain tumour). It was healthy putting all the great memories into one spot, while he wsa so very ill but still alive.
Very moving, yes.
I'm thankful for your dad and all the men and women who put themselves in harms way to protect our country.
Great post for memorial day as well as a tribute to your dad. I know how hard it is after a parent has a stroke as my mother had a stroke many years ago. Neither of my parents are living but I also think about my Dad as a young man serving during WW II.
Nice tribute to your dad And good to remeber what he did for his country and the world Wars shouldn't be happening
Wow that is a fantastic post Gaelyn. Your father looks like an amazing man. You honor him well......
Have a great week
Guy
Regina In Pictures
I really enjoyed this tribute to your dad. It's very special. The first photo of him in uniform looks strikingly like a similar photo I have of my dad, who also served in WWII. Unfortunately my dad passed away when I was just 11. You are so lucky to have had so many years with your dad! I'm happy for you.
I'm not in favor of wars in general, but some, like WWII, probably have to be fought. I have only the greatest respect for any man or woman who is in the military, in times of war or peace.
I hope your dad enjoys his day.
Without them, we may not live like now.
I really don't like wars but reading more about WWII, I think it's inevitable that it should be fought. You got one brave dad and I'm hoping that he'll enjoy his stay in the nursing home more. Happy Memorial Day to your Dad.
Oh, my World entry is up too.
beautiful tribute
A wonderful tibute Gaelyn. Thank you.
Gaelyn what a beautiful tribute to your dad and the many thousands of men and women who have fought for the freedom that the western world sometimes takes for granted.
Blessings and I hope you are feeling better.
Smiles
What a fine tribute to dad! I have the same feelings about war, yet also know that our world and especially our country are better today because of those that put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms of many.
Hello from Speedcat Hollydale
Being a total pacifist and having survived WWII as a refugee in Germany and being bombed out of existence, I still respect your father for doing his duty.If only presidents and kings and their generals who make wars also fought it out among themselves, I think the world would be a happier place.
To get fit young men to do their dirty work and die for their greed is unconcianable.
A very touching post!
I hope your father recovers fast.
People who've been through war are very reluctant to talk about it - it's just too real and horrific. WW2, well, Hitler amassed a powerful army.Since then we've been bombing the bejusus out of helpless people who are no threat and can't fight back. Lovely tribute to your dad
That's was a great tribute to your dad. The jacket was really cool :)
Really sweet tribute to your dad for Memorial Day. He deserves a lot of gratitude for helping to protect our country.
What a loving tribute to your Dad. Oh, and he is good looking too! I understand how he feels living in a nursing home, I used to be a caregiver. And my great honor to all men and women who has served and serves their respective countries. Happy Memorial Day!
What a nice tribute to your Dad Gaelyn. Thanks for sharing a little bit of him with the rest of us.
A really beautiful post. I feel the same about that war; ugly but necessary perhaps.
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