Bittersweet Tribute Set for WWII Veterans

[maddezmom]

By JENNIFER C. KERR, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - For many veterans, the new World War II Memorial in the nation's capital is a fitting tribute. But they wish more of their buddies were alive to be here.


"This has been a long time coming and a lot of comrades will not see it," said Navy veteran James L. Holley of Shawnee, Okla., as he toured the site Friday with his wife, Dorothy. "We're lucky to be here."


Holley, 78, served in the South Pacific aboard the USS Brementon. He joined scores of other veterans walking the plaza of the new memorial ahead of Saturday's dedication ceremony.


Gripping canes, some veterans snapped pictures of the sweeping granite-and-bronze monument. Others stood quietly, holding loved ones' hands, as they read together inscriptions etched into the stone from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gen. Douglas MacArthur.

~snip~
more:http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&ncid=716&e=6&u=/ap/20040529/ap_on_re_us/world_war_ii_memorial

[Rebellious Republican]

1. I followed this story for years, WWII Vets had to fight as tenaciously

for this memorial as they did to win the war. It was sad that so many road blocks had been placed in front of them. I am sure most people do not the whole story behind the battle for the memorial. It is well deserved, I am glad they finally have it. Below is some interesting reading on it.

The Controversy
Major national media and commentators have criticized the WWII Memorial since 1997. The controversy concerns the site between the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument and the design which will place walls, pillars and granite arches across the open vista."
http://www.savethemall.org/wwii/controversy.html

[maddezmom]

2. just watched CSPAN Marcy Kaptur , D-OH was the guest

very informative and emotional.

[Rebellious Republican]

3. Wish I could have seen it, but alas, I no longer have cable.......

because of this administration, I can no longer afford it. I do have to eat, its a habit that I have developed over the years.;-)

[ElectroPrincess]

6. It's too late for my Dad to appreciate

Not only are our precious WWII Veterans dieing at the rate of 1000/day. As of May 03 my dear Father lost all touch with reality through Alzheimer's Syndrome.

However, he was blessed to receive a place in the Arizona State Veteran's home during late 2003. I wish I could call and talk with him about this special Memorial, but that's not possible.

BTW my Father served in the Combat Engineers in Italy and Africa during WWII. His unit cleared/laid minefields and served along side the Infantry often ferrying them across rivers and streams. He earned a bronze star and a battlefield commission in Italy.

It was my Dad's career in the military and the benefits that were granted with that service that lifted our rural family into the middle class. "God bless you Dad ... I'll bring pictures from our later visit to DC and recall in detail this beautiful memorial when I come to visit summer." Guess it's now most important to carry the memories of the Greatest Generation in our heart and soul. :)

[Rebellious Republican]

11. Wow, I 'm touched!

My wifes father is a WWII Vet, he is in his 80's has Alzheimer's. Hes not totally gone yet, but he is well on his way. :hug:

[Red State Rebel]

7. So glad to see this finally happen...

I lost two Great Uncles in WWII. Floyd was on the USS Quincy that went down at Guadalcanal and Edwards was killed at Leyte Gulf.

I never realized until I saw Saving Private Ryan just how horrible that war must have been for all of those men. Bless them all!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

9. It's a bad design. I am an architect and member of savethemall.org

The worst aspect is the siting. The fascist design is also depressing.
We could have done a lot better.

[Piperay]

10. I agree

I have nothing against them having a Memorial (my father was in WWII) but the memorial is ugly and shouldn't be in that location. :-(

[UpInArms]

4. according to the WH, this is a "prime" target

for terrorism this weekend

White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Wednesday that large events such as this weekend's World War II Memorial dedication in Washington "certainly present opportunities for terrorists to carry out their attacks."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bal-bz.oil29may29,0,7905667.story?coll=bal-business-headlines

[symbolman]

8. Another reason why

BUSH should be banished - where ever he goes there is a distinct possibility that he's the "hot potatoe" that should be avoided..

he has personally pissed off over a billion people, and other countries are talking about avoiding him..

He has NO RIGHT to come and dedicate a ceremony that is about REAL sacrifice by REAL americans over a REAL WAR..

He is shameless.

[maddezmom]

5. Easy Company’ Veteran to Accompany Kerry to WWII Memorial Opening

May 26, 2004

For Immediate Release
Washington, DC

Saturday May 29, Joseph Lesniewski, one of the original ‘Band of Brothers’ from the ‘Easy Company’ of the 101st Airborne Division will join presidential candidate John Kerry at the official opening of the WWII memorial. A member of the ‘Greatest Generation,’ like Kerry’s own father, Lesniewski served the United States in WWII.

Lesniewski, a decorated war hero, is one of the 18 living paratroopers from original 147 members of Easy Company. He was trained by the Office of Strategic Studies (OSS) and was part of the heroic and immortalized 506th Regiment depicted in the Stephen Ambrose novel Band of Brothers. Lesniewski “jumped” into enemy territory on D-Day during the invasion of Normandy, earning numerous medals including the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star.
Speaking about his own generation of soldiers Lesniewski said, “We are more patriotic than anybody ever was. I was in combat for 235 days- you don’t have to tell me about patriotism. I believe George Bush is messing things up with this war, the economy and with America’s veterans.”

Kerry and Lesniewski, both combat veterans, met for the first time in May at an airport landing in Erie, PA. In Pennsylvania and across the country, Veterans for Kerry are working to turn out veterans to vote for John Kerry. “We have a lot of people here in Pennsylvania that feel the same way as me. We are working day and night to get John Kerry elected because he is the only candidate with a plan to address the concerns of America’s military families and veterans.”

John Kerry grew up admiring the fighters of the Greatest Generation. As a boy, he spent time on Maxwell Airforce Base in Montgomery, AL and Camp Cooke in California. After graduating from Yale, Kerry followed in the footsteps of his father, who specialized in test flying planes, and joined the Navy. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam.

Veterans across the country, disappointed with George Bush’s broken promises to take care of America’s military families, are organizing for John Kerry in unprecedented numbers. They are conducting vet-to-vet phone banks, veteran visibilities and internet operations in forty-five states across the country on behalf of John Kerry for President.

more: http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/releases/pr_2004_0526a.html