A Few of FR's Finest..Every Day..02-6,7-07..WW2: The War, The Era, The Monument, The FReeper Vets

February 6, 2007 | Dolly Howard

[DollyCali]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Dutchess, DollyCali, GodBlessUSA, Aquamarine~

World War II (abbreviated WWII), or the Second World War, was a worldwide conflict fought between the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers, from 1939 until 1945. Armed forces from over seventy nations engaged in aerial, naval, and ground-based combat. Spanning much of the globe, World War II resulted in the deaths of over sixty million people, making it the deadliest conflict in human history. The war ended with an Allied victory .

Names & words like Adolf Hitler,Nagasaki, Normandy, the Holocaust, Pearl Harbor, Nazi, Adolph Eichmann, Rudolf Hess Auchwitz, , Iwa Jima, Atomic Bomb all bring sharp memories and often tears to those who lived through the time & bring images of a sad history for those of us who followed. .

Some 63 million people, or 3% of the world population, died in the war (though estimates vary): about 24 million soldiers and 38 million civilians. This total includes the estimated 9 million lives lost in the Holocaust. Of the total deaths in World War II, approximately 80% were on the Allied side and 20% on the Axis side.

Allied forces suffered approximately 17 million military deaths, of which about 11 million were Soviet and 3 million Chinese. Axis forces suffered about 8 million, of which more than 5 million were German. In total, of the military deaths in World War II, approximately 44% were Soviet soldiers, 22% were German, 12% were Chinese, 8% were Japanese, 9% were soldiers of other Allied forces, and 5% were other Axis country soldiers. Some modern estimates double the number of Chinese casualties originally stated. Of the civilian deaths, approximately 90% were Allied (nearly a third of all civilians killed were Soviet citizens, and more than 15% of all civilians killed in the war died in German extermination camps) and 10% were Axis.

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Many civilians died as a result of disease, starvation, massacres, genocide--in particular, the Holocaust--and aerial bombing. One estimate is that 12 million civilians died in Holocaust camps, 1.5 million by bombs, 7 million in Europe from other causes, and 7.5 million in China from other causes.[7] Allied civilian deaths totaled roughly 38 million, including 11.7 million in the Soviet Union, 7 million in China and 5.2 million from Poland. There were around 3 million civilian deaths on the Axis side, including 2 million in Germany and 0.6 million in Japan. The Holocaust refers to the organized state-sponsored murder of 6 million Jews, 1.8-1.9 million non-Jewish Poles, 200,000-800,000 Roma people, 200,000-300,000 people with disabilities, and other groups carried out by the Nazis during the war.

The Soviet Union suffered by far the largest death toll of any nation in the war, over 23 million. The Holocaust was the organized murder of an estimated nine million people, including approximately six million Jews. Originally, the Nazis used killing squads known as Einsatzgruppen to conduct massive open-air killings, shooting as many as 33,000 people in a single massacre, as in the case of Babi Yar. By 1942, the Nazi leadership decided to implement the Final Solution, or Endlösung, the genocide of all Jews in Europe, and to increase the pace of the Holocaust. The Nazis built six extermination camps specifically to kill Jews. Millions of Jews who had been confined to massively overcrowded ghettos were transported to these "Death-camps", in which they were either slaughtered on arrival or put to work until the Nazis could find no more use for them, at which point they were put to death by shooting or mass poisoning in gas chambers. .

In a short presentation such as this no attempt will be made to do a depth study of this war but rather to provide some links for those with an interest to know more.

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WW2 time line

WW 2 Europe

WW2 Pacific Timeline

Eyewitness to History WW2

Pacific Naval Battles

Wikipedia – WW2

Mini Biographies of Military & Political Leaders

Best of History Websites

Voices of WW2

The magnificent World War II Memorial Official Site was dedicated on May 29th of 2004, but this wonderful memorial cannot be shared with most WW II Veterans here in Ohio or elsewhere. They are now in their 80s to 90s.

The majority are on limited, fixed incomes, lack help. A twelve-hour bus ride is not an option for these heroes.

According to Veterans Affairs statistics, about 1,200 WW II Veterans die each and every day. The overwhelming majority of them will pass away without ever having an opportunity to visit the memorial they have waited over 60 years to see. We are changing that.

FReeper Warrior Queen works with the Cleveland USO & volunteers now with a remarkable group. Here are some of her comments…. We now fly WW II Veterans, one Saturday a month, in large commercial aircraft to the Washington, DC area. The program is called Honor Flight and the purpose is to fly America’s elderly veterans to visit the memorials dedicated to recognize their service and the sacrifices of their friends.

We are a federal nonprofit (501c3) organization. We are doing everything we can to make this activity FREE for the veterans. Sadly, Honor Flight does not receive any corporate or government sponsorship. We are asking for donations to cover airfare, tour bus services, food, tee shirts, scooter/wheelchair rental, oxygen and operational costs. We’re hoping that, by getting the word out, public support will continue to grow.

The more support we receive, the more veterans finally get to visit their memorial. Over the past two years, we have transported a total of 463 members of “the Greatest Generation.” We are now joined by other programs in North Carolina, Utah, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Illinois. Next year, our combined goal is to fly over 5000 WW II Veterans.

We conduct regular operations out of Dayton and Columbus. We plan to expand to Cleveland in 2007. Round trip, same day flights from Cleveland into Baltimore Washington International (BWI) would cost about $120.00 per seat. We then handle ALL the ground operations/logics from BWI, around Washington DC and back to the airport. We provide a deluxe motor coach, meals, tee shirts, name tags, motorized scooters, oxygen, etc. Our cost is about $50.00 per person.

It is our hope that we will pick up the cost of all ground expenses so that organizations from around the country pay only for their airfare. The cost will be about $120.00 a piece< to make the dreams of hundreds of WWII Veterans from Cleveland come true. Our policy is that the WWII Veterans don't pay a penny. . We will be serving as the "parent" organization to similar programs across the country. Recently we had about 20 people from across the nation that want to learn about how to proceed with an Honor Flight, HonorAir, Hero Flight, etc. program.

An office is opened that is staffed with volunteers to answer the phone, a national toll free number (1 888 FLY-VETS) and a national web site (presently under revision) www.HonorFlight.org. .

Time is NOT on our side. Since early January 2005, thirty-seven World War II veterans on our waiting list have passed away without visiting their memorial. In another 3 to 7 years, almost all WW II Veterans will be gone.

We remain committed to do everything we can to help those surviving veterans view their precious memorial. They are ordinary men and women who collectively and literally saved America and the
world.

If you would like more information or would like to help, please visit our web site at www.HonorFlight.org, email me at HonorFlight@aol.com
or call (937) 864-7261.

Erwin (Earl) Morse, Captain, USAF Retired
Founder of Honor Flight, Inc.
P.O. Box 214
Enon, OH 45323
Phone: 937 864-7261

More Honor Flight Information

Submitted by FReeper Bev ..the Bev in Bevlar; wife of Larry.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1012827/posts He is also registered at: http://www.wwiimemorial.com. The above site is where Freepers paid tribute to him. I cherish this website!!!

Lawrence Fredrick Zacker was born in Carroll Iowa November 4, 1915. He was 26 years old, married with children on December 7, 1941. The ARMY, NAVY AND MARINES wouldn't take him because he had very flat feet. He quit his job as Used Car Manager at a Los Angeles car dealership and went to work at Northrop building the P-61 Black Widow planes. He was doing his part for the war effort but felt he needed to participate as a soldier/sailor. In the summer of 1942, the United States Merchant Marines took him - flat feet and all after he begged the examining doctor to pass him.

He served in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters during the war years and was "bosun" on a ship off the coast of Normandy June 6, 1994. His service to his country did not go unnoticed and at the end of the war, he was contacted by the US Navy and given the opportunity to enter the Navy as an Ensign. He declined and returned to civilian life but often regretted his decision. He was a true flag waving patriot!!

After returning to civilian life, Larry became a Realtor and lived in Sana Diego for many years. In 1973, he retired and we moved to the mountains of N CA to the little town of Fall River Mills. We received an offer we couldn't refuse - Columbia Helicopters needed a watchman and we would be paid while we literally vacationed in our motor home. All we had to do was look after the helicopter during the evening hours. We traveled with Columbia for 4 years and had the time of our lives. In 1979, we decided to settle down once and for all. We bought a small acreage on the river - just a mile from the ocean on the beautiful north coast of Oregon.

In 1994, he received a special invitation, including a seating badge, to attend the 50 year remembrance of the Normandy invasion. He refused to attend because the draft dodging Bill Clinton was going to be there to strut around.

Larry will always be my hero because I knew his heart. I was Blessed to be his wife. He served his country with pride and honor. Larry died 10/31/03.

MY WAR
by William Barrows

Submitted by FReeper Wheelbarrow. A short excerpt presented here from the essay

FOUND HERE

"…..we pulled into what I thought was Liverpool (but later documents said it was Grenock, Scotland). En route we fought off and sank a German submarine that Hitler had boasted sank us, so when a British search plane came out to find us (or the remains) it was a jubilant dockside welcome that greeted us on arrival.

In England our troop train took us to a camp near North-witch for about a week, then again we were put on a train and taken to Southampton and loaded on assault ships to take us to Utah Beach in France where, like the guys who took the beach head, we had to climb the cliffs to get to the trucks that would take us to the combat area.

In France we traveled on mostly country roads (the German Air Force was still something to worry about, and there was a big German submarine post back behind at St. Nazzaire). We bypassed Paris and eventually wound up near Nancy (the last city of any size we’d encounter), the HQ. of General Patton’s Third Army and my 26th Division. Soon after to the east we were dropped from the trucks and began the march to the “front lines” some 20 miles away….."

1-09-07 ~ Hall of Fame #18

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 2-05-07 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' Every Thursday at the Finest The guy's good, folks!

[DollyCali]

you are welcome sweet Bev.. thanks for including me on the mailing yesterday re: larry.. hope you liked the way the graphic turned out. It was a great pix of Larry & better than the ones I had in archives.

[Wheelbarrow]

A wonderful tribute. As a fellow "vet" (but a few years his junior) I would have been proud to have known and respected him. He sounds like "my kind of guy." While I went to the ETO, I can attest his was a most important job in the Pacific even if he was bored; if you didn't have PURE WATER to drink...you DIED!

[La Enchiladita]

UNCLE GEORGE!!!

Oh, and my Uncle Dean was in the Army but must have been too old for WWII. My cousin Everett served in Europe in WWII (he was already 30 by the time I was born), and I have some of the cards he sent to my mother.

[dutchess]

It's a new day. Please join us for John's Two Cent's HERE

[DollyCali]

Thank you Bill. Yes, those little "boring" tasks are vital & not everyone gets to do the fun jobs, as we all know..and in life the grass is always greener!

[DollyCali]

That is good you had some strong influences in your life. I had an uncle George also. My dad's youngest brother who was also his golfing best bud until dad died. Was in European theater . army. during WW2

Uncle George is still living & is 82 now

[DollyCali]

We have them to thank for today's freedoms.

Yes we do!

[La Enchiladita]

FReepmail. Think I'll go nitey-nite... 'twas quite the day..

[DollyCali]

yes that makes sense. I recall once with a JH2 going crazy with the widths.'& realized after it was posted, that was the problem'

I need to find that little "code" to put across the top of threads.

I have played with different sizings on this new monitor & have decided to keep it a the recommended settings. It is silly to spend this much for good equipment & NOT use it to it's maximum performance.

I am loving it... going from 13 inch to 22 inch is a vast improvement & also from Old CRT to HD is remarkable. I love doing graphic work. the key board also has this feature where you can enlarge print (yes I know you can do it with Alt/scroll on mouse, but this is much easier.)

I am pretty tired & need rest.

Thanks for the tip.

[GodBlessUSA]

Nah, I want you to have beautiful weather to enjoy. You deserve it :) I hope you have a wonderful day today!
(((Dita)))

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Great thread!

[PreviouslyA-Lurker]

Thank you.

[DollyCali]

Wonderful pix & memories of your parents. Nice to have someone posting who had involvement in the British effort.. it was your war until we dragging our feet finally joined the effort - We should have done it sooner IMHO ..

Thanks Eleanor

Here is the pix I did of your parents for " your thread "

[DollyCali]

Thanks Dr. Scarpetta. Was your dad a WW2 vet? If so please feel free to share info on him here and pix if you have them. One was to have a memorial tied to the war.

[DollyCali]

Thanks for the music contributions aqua. Puttin on the Ritz is a fav of mine because the years I lived in Winston Salem I was involved in a cat club called Top Cats. We put on a yearly cat show called Puttin on the Ritz. The male members wore black tie & the female members long slinkly black evening gowns.

Of course we only dressed up after the 8 hours to set up wearing our jeans.

We had loops of that song from various artist (maybe about 10 renditions ) that played at various times during the day. We originally had the music all the time but after a 2 day show people thought it was too much.

so we went to having it for registration, lunch times & after the last judging for a couple hours in evening until we locked up the facility for night.

The judging times were music free.

Begin is also a fav of mine. It has been a long time since I listed to this music. It is quite nice.

I might try to make a CD for mom & a few other relatives who lived and were young during this era. Just here on this thread are offerings that would make a good one. Others I am pinging might want to do the same..

would make a nice valentine's gift for the aunts, uncles, grandparents etc in our lives, whatcha think?

Now to figure out the WAY TO DO IT... I have said often & it is true.. I am not good with music. Must learn more & then how to do more with the computer to burn them to CDS

This is their music

Well, here I go again, finding MORE Projects when what I should be doing NOW is cleaning!

Later all!

[Aquamarine]

What an entertainer you've been, would love to have seen that Puttin on the Ritz show.

My mom helped me pick out the selection of WarTunes that I played here yesterday a few years back when we were having a USO Dance in the FReeper Canteen so I can guarantee you that your mom and her generation would enjoy those songs on a CD. Great idea Dolly!

[DollyCali]

are you going to the dedication this Wed? will post here for the record the invite & perhaps the update pix after.

[DollyCali]

Honor Flight Headquarters

 

 

 

 

CONTACT:  Earl Morse                                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WORK:  937 521-2400

CELL:    937 409-8387

Email:  HonorFlight@aol.com

 

Honor Flight Headquarters Grand Opening

Scheduled for April 11, 2007

 

Springfield, OH – The Honor Flight program is spreading their wings.  On Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at 12:30 PM, the public is invited to attend the Grand Opening of the Honor Flight National Headquarters at 300 E. Auburn Ave, Springfield.  The tour program is now in their third year of flying World War II Veterans out to visit their newly dedicated World War II Memorial in Washington DC.  The flights are out and back on the same day.  The veterans don’t pay a penny for round trip airfare, tour bus, meals and tee shirts.  There are presently over 700 World War II Veterans on the Honor Flight waiting list. 

 

The first flight took to the skies at the Springfield Municipal Airport on May 21, 2005 with six small aircraft and twelve veterans.  Over the past two years, the program was based at Earl and Clarice Morse’s home in Enon Ohio.  Today the Honor Flight program is a national phenomenon.  Honor Flight has rapidly grown across the country with similar programs flying veterans from Columbus, Dayton, Cleveland and Akron-Canton Ohio, Hendersonville and Tarboro North Carolina, Provo Utah, Huntsville Alabama, Detroit Michigan, Fargo North Dakota, Buffalo New York, Hartford Connecticut, Atlanta and Valdosta Georgia, Jacksonville Florida, and many other locations.  So far, 905 WWII Veterans have visited their memorial through the efforts of Honor Flight and affiliated programs.  The goal for 2007 is that 5000 WWII Veterans visit THEIR memorial in DC. 

 

Time is not on our side.  According to the Department of Veterans Affairs and Arlington National Cemetery statistics, in 2007 about 1,200 WWII Veterans will pass away EVERY DAY.  The youngest WWII Vet is 79 years old.  In another 5 to 10 years, most WWII Veterans will be gone.  Over 50 WWII Veterans on the waiting list have passed away, patiently waiting their turn.  We are asking the public’s support to help make the dreams of these 700 veterans come true … before it’s too late.  Despite our best efforts, Honor Flight receives no corporate or government sponsorship.  We are funded solely by public donations.      

 

Honor Flight National Headquarters is located on the top floor of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) in Springfield.  The facilities large conference areas, class rooms, office space, administrative support, and the experienced business counselors provide the best environment for the rapid growth of the program.

 

The festivities for the Grand Opening include:

 

            12:30 to 1:00 PM – Reception, light snacks in the classroom, second floor.

            1:00 to 1:30 PM – Ribbon cutting ceremony at the office, tour.

            1:30 to 2:30 PM – Veteran flight trip orientation

            7:00 to 8:30 PM – Guardian Training

 

If you would like more information about the Honor Flight program or the Grand Opening, please visit our web site at www.HonorFlight.org, call (937) 521-2400 or write: Honor Flight Inc., 300 E. Auburn Ave, Springfield OH 45505.  We look forward to seeing you on April 11, 2007. 

[Warrior_Queen]

I won’t be going tomorrow (12 Ap) but there is something in the works for the 12th of May and a tentative flight for the 23rd of May here in Cleveland.. I’ll keep you updated, and THANKS a million for posting this. I hope you can make it here because I can’t wait to give you a big hug!!

[DollyCali]

I plan to go tomorrow & keep me posted on the other dates. I have some things going all summer / spring but surely would attend this if I was free (and of course camera in hand)

I will do an AAR somewhere at FR on the event tomorrow in Springfield & will ping you to it.

It may be an addition to the Military Tribute (MON/TUES) at Finest or if I have enough stuff, I may post a sep thread.