[cdefreese]

I don't think we can ever thank guys like this enough. We can never repay those who have sacraficed mind, body, and life for this great country.

[g'nad]

Bump for a real American hero... a testament to his fortitude and indominitable character... I pray he finds peace for his tormented spirit...

[FourPeas]

My FIL was also a German POW. He didn't talk about it much, but the few things he did say were chilling. I will never forget them, and in time when my young sons are old enough, they, too, will learn about their grandfather and the others like him who fought for our freedom.

[exit82]

The word "hero" is bounced around today so much it ceases to have real meaning.

But this man is a true hero.

[Moose4]

The Greatest Generation bump.

[Mr. Bird]

"I eventually realized that I had post traumatic stress syndrome so I started getting therapy about 15 years ago. I was shattered emotionally, disillusioned and full of hate. My body came back, but a good part of my mind is still over there. Even though the therapy has done enormous good I'm still filled with rage."

Any judge or jury member who has exonerated cold-blooded killers because of "underpriveleged childhoods" should read that statement. This man underwent a real, unrelenting hell on earth, and survived. And yet, I see no information on murderous rampages, child beatings, or other atrocities that supposedly stem from such horrors.

I guess he's just another garden-variety hero, left to his own, while the scum of the planet are coddled and defended to no end....

[WhiskeyPapa]

Hubert "Zemke" was the commanding officer of the 56th fighter group. He was not shot down. His plane suffered a structural failure and he was forced to bail out. His parents were first generation German -- he spoke it fluently. When his aircraft failed -- one of the wings folded up and smashed the canopy, he barely escaped by parachute. He wrenched he knee badly. Upon landing in a beet field in Germany, he spoke to the elderly farming couple there in perfect German. They fled.

He was finally picked up by the German authorities.

The 56th under his leadership was the most successful U.S. fighter group. He was actually flying with another group when his plane, a P-51 Mustang, betrayed him.

Walt

[1234]

bump

[dennisw]

*Wilfrid E. Hebert*

OLD SCHOOL TO THE MAX!!! They don't make 'em like that anymore!