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- #181
Any time, Jeff - hope that's him.
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Any time, Jeff - hope that's him.
- Thread starter
- #182
The current time in Normandy, France is:
11:43 PM
Friday, June 5, 2015 (GMT+2)
Time in Normandy
June 6th (wherever you are) is the 71st anniversary of D-Day... please pause and thank those, who so valiantly walked into the mouth of hell to save our world. Try to imagine what life would be like, for those who survived the perversion of the Third Reich, had Operation Neptune either failed or never occurred in the first place.
Thank you.
11:43 PM
Friday, June 5, 2015 (GMT+2)
Time in Normandy
June 6th (wherever you are) is the 71st anniversary of D-Day... please pause and thank those, who so valiantly walked into the mouth of hell to save our world. Try to imagine what life would be like, for those who survived the perversion of the Third Reich, had Operation Neptune either failed or never occurred in the first place.
Thank you.
rkymtnflyfisher
Trout Bum
Big motorcycle rally this Sunday at the VA hospital in Martinsburg WV. Sorry I don't have more info, google is our friend............
I saw the link in @ErikinSC 's signature, so I figured I can throw a blurb out there. My dad, his dad, and both of my mom's parents were all prior-enlisted officers. Dad was a Navy S-3 pilot for 26 years (started as a Corpsman), his father served as a Tank Commander under Patton and received a battlefield commission in WWII. He got shot up pretty badly in Korea and had to get out of the Army... My mom's mother, an Army officer, was the first woman to make a beach landing - WWII in Italy (this is family lore, I have no idea if it's true). They told her to wait for the tender, but she said "Why? Everyone else is jumping in the water and they're dressed just like me." She was hard core.
In 1995, rather than face the wrath of my parents after flunking out of college, I signed up for the Marine Corps Reserve as an Abrams Tank Mechanic. Mom and dad didn't support the idea, but dad swore me in a few days later nevertheless. Somehow my paperwork got FUBAR'd and I ended up training as a Network Administrator. When I checked in for Reserve Duty, I requested to go back on Active Duty and spent the following 3+ years on Active Duty in Tallahassee, FL occasionally working on tanks, trucks, and Admin stuff. My tour was uneventful, but someone had to do it. We also had the burden of representing the Corps at burial details since our unit was in a remote location. So many flags folded and presented; one of the Marine Security Guards killed in Nairobi in August 1998 was from Tallahassee - I folded the flag that was presented to his mother. I spent a total of 4 years on Active Duty and got out to finish college. I was under contract to attend AOCS (I'd passed the flight physical, tests, and was assigned a slot) but had to give that up when I started having seizures in school. After 9/11, I begged the recruiters of every branch to give me a chance. The National Guard obliged and I joined the Signals Intelligence Corps. That lasted about a year until the medical folks asked what medications I was prescribed and I discovered that the recruiter never divulged that I was epileptic... So, a grand total of 6 years of service in the USMC and National Guard.
My 1981 FJ40 also has some ties between me and the military. My best friend, Sam, was a fellow Corporal and he lived with a friend named Shannon. Sam eventually got commissioned and flew CH46's in the Corps. Shannon, who we remained close friends with, married another Marine, Bryan. Bryan lost his life while flying his CH46 overseas. This FJ40 was his baby - Shannon didn't want to part with it, but ultimately decided that it was too unsafe for her children. It has been well cared for, received some nice upgrades, but spent much of its past few years sitting in Shannon's garage. She sold it to me last year and I've been going through it and getting it trail/mall ready. The 40 is in too good condition for a frame off restoration, but not good enough for a concours paint job, so it is perfect for moderate wheeling here on the East Coast. Though my wife has forbidden me from doing anything outside of driving it to the mall
Currently, it is waiting for power steering at TrollHole Cruisers.
OH, I've also owned my 1995 FZJ80 since 2005 and picked up a 2001 Hundy last year from a fellow club member. Cheers!
The workshop and carport that I built when my wife approved the acquisition of the 40. Sorry, I have no trailshots since I haven't taken it offroad yet...
This is my FZJ80 in Windrock Park in Tennessee (GSMTR).
Alas, the only picture that I can find of the 100 is after I towed it 200+ miles home from Uwharrie National Forest after blowing out the front diff... My 100 H8's Mud.
In 1995, rather than face the wrath of my parents after flunking out of college, I signed up for the Marine Corps Reserve as an Abrams Tank Mechanic. Mom and dad didn't support the idea, but dad swore me in a few days later nevertheless. Somehow my paperwork got FUBAR'd and I ended up training as a Network Administrator. When I checked in for Reserve Duty, I requested to go back on Active Duty and spent the following 3+ years on Active Duty in Tallahassee, FL occasionally working on tanks, trucks, and Admin stuff. My tour was uneventful, but someone had to do it. We also had the burden of representing the Corps at burial details since our unit was in a remote location. So many flags folded and presented; one of the Marine Security Guards killed in Nairobi in August 1998 was from Tallahassee - I folded the flag that was presented to his mother. I spent a total of 4 years on Active Duty and got out to finish college. I was under contract to attend AOCS (I'd passed the flight physical, tests, and was assigned a slot) but had to give that up when I started having seizures in school. After 9/11, I begged the recruiters of every branch to give me a chance. The National Guard obliged and I joined the Signals Intelligence Corps. That lasted about a year until the medical folks asked what medications I was prescribed and I discovered that the recruiter never divulged that I was epileptic... So, a grand total of 6 years of service in the USMC and National Guard.
My 1981 FJ40 also has some ties between me and the military. My best friend, Sam, was a fellow Corporal and he lived with a friend named Shannon. Sam eventually got commissioned and flew CH46's in the Corps. Shannon, who we remained close friends with, married another Marine, Bryan. Bryan lost his life while flying his CH46 overseas. This FJ40 was his baby - Shannon didn't want to part with it, but ultimately decided that it was too unsafe for her children. It has been well cared for, received some nice upgrades, but spent much of its past few years sitting in Shannon's garage. She sold it to me last year and I've been going through it and getting it trail/mall ready. The 40 is in too good condition for a frame off restoration, but not good enough for a concours paint job, so it is perfect for moderate wheeling here on the East Coast. Though my wife has forbidden me from doing anything outside of driving it to the mall
Currently, it is waiting for power steering at TrollHole Cruisers.OH, I've also owned my 1995 FZJ80 since 2005 and picked up a 2001 Hundy last year from a fellow club member. Cheers!
The workshop and carport that I built when my wife approved the acquisition of the 40. Sorry, I have no trailshots since I haven't taken it offroad yet...
This is my FZJ80 in Windrock Park in Tennessee (GSMTR).
Alas, the only picture that I can find of the 100 is after I towed it 200+ miles home from Uwharrie National Forest after blowing out the front diff... My 100 H8's Mud.
- Thread starter
- #185
Thank you for sharing and thank y'all for your service, Jeremy!!
That's a great story!! I especially like the hard core Mother-in-Law - she had a good point - "treat me like everyone else"!!
You built a very nice home for your 40!!
That's a great story!! I especially like the hard core Mother-in-Law - she had a good point - "treat me like everyone else"!!
You built a very nice home for your 40!!
reconranger
SILVER Star
CharlestonG8R, that was a great story.
Refreshingly honest story and thanks for your service.
I so get tired of folks, esp vets, who embellish their service.
The fact that you took the oath and did your job is what counts.
...from someone who was typing in S-1, among other MOS's.
Refreshingly honest story and thanks for your service.
I so get tired of folks, esp vets, who embellish their service.
The fact that you took the oath and did your job is what counts.
...from someone who was typing in S-1, among other MOS's.
Apologies if I missed it but I didn't see "Hamburger Hill" in the movie title lists here.
U.S. Army 1967-69. D trp 1/4 Cav 1st Infantry Div. Vietnam
Purple Heart, BS, AMV,Arcom, etc, etc. 100% rated thirty years late.
Please don't thank me for service, no one thanked vets back then and besides, I was drafted.
U.S. Army 1967-69. D trp 1/4 Cav 1st Infantry Div. Vietnam
Purple Heart, BS, AMV,Arcom, etc, etc. 100% rated thirty years late.
Please don't thank me for service, no one thanked vets back then and besides, I was drafted.
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- Thread starter
- #188
You may have been drafted, but you served Our Country - Thank you for your service anyway!! You should have been thanked back then... I'm sorry you weren't!!
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
i will not thank you for your service then.... i will thank you for not being a draft dodger
Air Force; I was in ROTC at Ole Miss in the late '80s with a 4Runner driving, fellow knucklehead @wngrog. He used to put these oversized snowtires on his 4Runner every winter just in case we got our 1/2" of snow, dude was a cruiser head from the beginning. I went to Army Airborne training, Davis-Monthan AFB and Columbus AFB, then separated. After a 5 year break in service, I went back in the reserves (2000-2010) at Charleston AFB, deployed in OIF/OEF to Balad and Al Udeid.
My father's experience was a bit more colorful. At 16, his football coach told him he wasn't tough enough to play fullback, so he showed the coach how tough he was...lied about his age and joined the USMC. 2 years later he found himself at the Inchon Landing Korea, fought north until the 1st Marines were at the Chosin Reservoir in Nov 1950. There, China rolled in with 70,000 fresh troops against about 11,000 battle weary Marines short on food, or as my dad said, 7:1 against the marines, those odds were even. The temp was down to -30* and food was very scarce. He said at that time, he wished he was back in his little Appalachian town playing football--any position. He was awarded 2 Bronze Stars with Valor. About 12 years ago I went with my father to a Chosin Few reunion, a room full of heroes. 2 years later he lost his fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I understand why they call it the Forgotten War.
I've always had 4x4 SUVs (including my favorites, '91 & '01 4Runner) but my wheelin' experience was just a means to get where I wanted to hunt big game or upland birds. After getting my first 80 series last year, I've spent that time fixing up a rough truck and recently started wheelin' it. I'm in the parts collection phase for a diesel swap to my '94. I'm lucky enough to have some good guys in our local chapter to help out anything cruiser related, or BBQ, but that's where the fights start.
My father's experience was a bit more colorful. At 16, his football coach told him he wasn't tough enough to play fullback, so he showed the coach how tough he was...lied about his age and joined the USMC. 2 years later he found himself at the Inchon Landing Korea, fought north until the 1st Marines were at the Chosin Reservoir in Nov 1950. There, China rolled in with 70,000 fresh troops against about 11,000 battle weary Marines short on food, or as my dad said, 7:1 against the marines, those odds were even. The temp was down to -30* and food was very scarce. He said at that time, he wished he was back in his little Appalachian town playing football--any position. He was awarded 2 Bronze Stars with Valor. About 12 years ago I went with my father to a Chosin Few reunion, a room full of heroes. 2 years later he lost his fight with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I understand why they call it the Forgotten War.
I've always had 4x4 SUVs (including my favorites, '91 & '01 4Runner) but my wheelin' experience was just a means to get where I wanted to hunt big game or upland birds. After getting my first 80 series last year, I've spent that time fixing up a rough truck and recently started wheelin' it. I'm in the parts collection phase for a diesel swap to my '94. I'm lucky enough to have some good guys in our local chapter to help out anything cruiser related, or BBQ, but that's where the fights start.
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- Thread starter
- #191
Thank you for your service (@Beau Diddly)!!
...and thank you for sharing your story as well as a bit of your Father's!!
I have a cousin, in Arkansas, who suffered some sort of head trauma in Korea and, as a result, went totally blind years (maybe 30 or so years) later. He was a High School teacher and football coach, at the time.
Anyway, one Sunday (after he had been blind for 10 years or so), his wife woke up and couldn't find him. A few minutes later he drove up their drive and hopped out of their van. She asked what he thought he was doing and he said he took a Sunday drive. This was the first day he had been able to see in years. All he could see (without corrective lenses) was shapes, but they lived way out in the country, so he probably didn't run over anybody...
I had completely forgotten this until you mentioned Korea... I also don't recall the exact years before he went blind and until he regained enough eyesight for corrective lenses... but, his was a true story nonetheless.
Again, thank you for sharing!!
...and thank you for sharing your story as well as a bit of your Father's!!
I have a cousin, in Arkansas, who suffered some sort of head trauma in Korea and, as a result, went totally blind years (maybe 30 or so years) later. He was a High School teacher and football coach, at the time.
Anyway, one Sunday (after he had been blind for 10 years or so), his wife woke up and couldn't find him. A few minutes later he drove up their drive and hopped out of their van. She asked what he thought he was doing and he said he took a Sunday drive. This was the first day he had been able to see in years. All he could see (without corrective lenses) was shapes, but they lived way out in the country, so he probably didn't run over anybody...
I had completely forgotten this until you mentioned Korea... I also don't recall the exact years before he went blind and until he regained enough eyesight for corrective lenses... but, his was a true story nonetheless.
Again, thank you for sharing!!
Alright, movie list update :
Gray Lady Down - mom hated that movie, but always watched it before dad came home
Das Boot - the subtitled version, so you have to pay attention the whole time and read the movie
Hunt for Red October - because 'Fly, Dallas, Fly' .... and no one ever gets to see an emergency blow from that perspective
and all Bubbleheads favorite - Crimson Tide - because there is nothing RIGHT with that movie. It's all wrong, even on Hollywood levels.....
Gray Lady Down - mom hated that movie, but always watched it before dad came home
Das Boot - the subtitled version, so you have to pay attention the whole time and read the movie
Hunt for Red October - because 'Fly, Dallas, Fly' .... and no one ever gets to see an emergency blow from that perspective
and all Bubbleheads favorite - Crimson Tide - because there is nothing RIGHT with that movie. It's all wrong, even on Hollywood levels.....
Following the lead from my Low Country Land Cruiser buddies (@CharlestonG8R and @Beau Diddly) I thought I'd check in:
I don't have as significant of a family history as some others, but both of my grandfather's served, one of which ended up supporting the SR-71 development which is pretty cool. My mom's uncle was also an infantry officer and I had the privilege of wearing his silver bars when I made 1LT.
As for myself, I commissioned via ROTC and served 8 years with the Army National Guard. I was an engineer officer and was fortunate enough to spend 7 of my 8 years on the combat engineering side of the house. In fact my last assignment was as the company commander of a Sapper Company and boy was that fun. Nothing like playing with explosives and machine guns!! I deployed in support of OEF, conducting a route clearance mission while in theater. Below is a picture of my 89 FJ62. It's my first cruiser, but not my first 4x4. I'm building her up for a month long trip I'm planning to take in September. Glad to "meet" y'all.
I don't have as significant of a family history as some others, but both of my grandfather's served, one of which ended up supporting the SR-71 development which is pretty cool. My mom's uncle was also an infantry officer and I had the privilege of wearing his silver bars when I made 1LT.
As for myself, I commissioned via ROTC and served 8 years with the Army National Guard. I was an engineer officer and was fortunate enough to spend 7 of my 8 years on the combat engineering side of the house. In fact my last assignment was as the company commander of a Sapper Company and boy was that fun. Nothing like playing with explosives and machine guns!! I deployed in support of OEF, conducting a route clearance mission while in theater. Below is a picture of my 89 FJ62. It's my first cruiser, but not my first 4x4. I'm building her up for a month long trip I'm planning to take in September. Glad to "meet" y'all.
Welcome @collk22 !! And thank you for your service!!
Elsie Mae is a sweet looking ride!!
I've watched various videos of 'route clearance' - it looked like 'fun' alright
Glad your enjoyed yourself!!
Which direction you planning to go in September?
Route Clearance was....interesting.
Road Trip is kicking off in September and we're going from Charleston to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, up to 4 corners, riding part of the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route, Denver, west to pick up the northern part of the Utah BackCountry Discovery Route into Idaho, up towards Bozeman, riding around the gravely range, down into Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, then east to Rushmore, hitting some of the KY Bourbon Trail, a night or two to recoup in Asheville (probably owe the MRS some time at the Grove Park Inn), and back to Charleston. You military guys know best of all that no plan survives first contact, so what of that route I actually accomplish is TBD. I've got 4 full weeks off work so we're going to make the most of it.
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
Sounds like a great trip!
Been forever since going on a long road trip like that... Take MANY pictures
Been forever since going on a long road trip like that... Take MANY pictures
Sounds like a great trip!
Been forever since going on a long road trip like that... Take MANY pictures
Will do. I dabble in photography as a hobby so I've already started virtual picture scouting as part of my planning process!
- Thread starter
- #198
Hope you make the whole route!!
We started to make a 6 week trip, before I bought 44, with our Casita travel trailer and my Tundra. The first night we camped at Echo Canyon State Park, near Pioche, NV and our 12 year old Golden Retriever got sick ... had to hustle back to Vegas ... and trip got cancelled.
I've started planning a long trip with 44 and my buds (two Goldens: Sgt Gunner and Sir Chester), but had to postpone, due to medical issues - for both me and 44.
I'm planning it out while I'm on the sidelines and 44 is sans motor... being rebuilt.
Some of my planned route copies yours, some doesn't.
You've mapped out a great route!!
We stayed at a great B&B in Asheville, a lotta years ago, but I can't remember the name... Asheville's a great town!!
JohnnyC
Long ago TLCA# 2231
Cars on display at the Albany VA Medical Center
car show to honor our vets... I will be there with the young marines as well as with my ol'rusty 74' FJ40 and 54' Bradley trailer
anybody in the area.... stop down or also enter your truck !!!
http://www.honorourvetscarshow.com/
car show to honor our vets... I will be there with the young marines as well as with my ol'rusty 74' FJ40 and 54' Bradley trailer
anybody in the area.... stop down or also enter your truck !!!
http://www.honorourvetscarshow.com/
- Thread starter
- #200
Thanks for supporting such a worthy cause Johnny!!