My Hero Has Passed

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All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> War in the Pacific: Admiral's Edition >> My Hero Has Passed

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My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 4:32:09 PM

poerr

Posts: 100
Joined: 6/18/2004
From: Philadelphia PA
Status: offline

Hi,

I am a long time reader of this forum, an occasional beta tester, and very infrequent poster here. I just wanted to drop a note to let you all know my uncle, who served with the 136 infantry regiment in the pacific war from 1943-46 passed yesterday suddenly. He was 87. To me he was my hero growing up.

I spent many hours fishing and hunting with my uncle and he would occasionally tell me about his time in the service. He seldom discussed combat. I asked him once if he would consider recording his experiences for the sake of history and for a legacy to generations to follow. He told me quietly that he had worked hard in his life to forget and move beyond the sights, sounds, and memories of that period of his life and did not wish to return to them in detail. I respected that.

One thing he did tell me was how he met my aunt. His sargeant had a sister. When his seargent was killed in combat he said he would look up his family if and when he returned home. He did return home and met his future wife that way. She passed away several years ago.

A year ago, his grandaughter lost her husband, a marine, in Helmond province to a roadside bomb. I remember watching a news clip (I live some distance away from him) and seeing him at the airport to recieve the casket from the marine honor guard. The look on his face was something new to me and I believe I will never forget. There was an emptiness in his eyes and a distance in them. For one who has never served in the armed forces, it made me wonder if this was the price he paid for seeing combat. It made me glad that I did not have to carry that burden.

I have had some time to reflect on his passing since yesterday. I will miss him greatly. He was a unique man and something of a genious when it came to inventions. He never went to college, but did very well for his family. Even in his 80s he could get up and make his way to the deer stand in 20 degree weather in a Michigan snowstorm and hunt like the best of us. I am grateful for his time with me growing up and for what he chose to share about his time in the pacific freely. If you have a relative who has served and is still with us, cherish the time.

Russ

Post #: 1

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 4:35:38 PM

Canoerebel

Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002
From: Northwestern Georgia, USA
Status: offline

Poerr, thanks for posting. It's great to hear about men like your uncle. My dad is an 89-year-old WWII vet, so I'm familiar with the memories growing up next to one of those good men who experienced the crucible of war. May your uncle rest in peace and may you have many opportunities to pass along his story to future generations. :)

(in reply to poerr)

Post #: 2

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 4:36:31 PM

Empire101

Posts: 1950
Joined: 5/20/2008
From: Coruscant
Status: offline

Very sad news poerr. They were from the best of their generation, and sadly they are getting less each year.

My deepest sympathy, he sounds like he was truly loved till his last day.

Regards
Chris

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Post #: 3

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 4:53:24 PM

tocaff

Posts: 4781
Joined: 10/12/2006
From: USA now in Brasil
Status: offline

My sympathy to you and your family.

My father is now 90 and his body is failing, but his mind is still sharp. He served flying B-29s from Tinian.

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Post #: 4

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 4:53:30 PM

Mac Linehan

Posts: 1484
Joined: 12/19/2004
From: Denver Colorado
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: Empire101

Very sad news poerr. They were from the best of their generation, and sadly they are getting less each year.

My deepest sympathy, he sounds like he was truly loved till his last day.

Regards
Chris

Well put, Empire 101.

My sincere respect to your uncle, poerr, for his service and example as a Man.

Mac

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Post #: 5

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 5:30:36 PM

Cribtop

Posts: 3890
Joined: 8/10/2008
From: Lone Star Nation
Status: offline

RIP. I salute the fallen, and as others have said, it is clear that he was loved by his family. I suspect he knew that you loved him, and I also suspect that is what he wanted most of all.

< Message edited by Cribtop -- 9/3/2012 5:46:26 PM >

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RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 5:33:28 PM

dr.hal

Posts: 3335
Joined: 6/3/2006
From: Covington LA via Montreal!
Status: offline

Many Thanks Poerr, my best to you and your family in this undesirable moment. Also I think your advise is good, my grandfather was a WW ONE vet and I never talked to him about any of it... I missed much, he too was a good and honorable man and given only an 8th grade education, he too did well. Hal

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RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 5:45:11 PM

Chickenboy

Posts: 24520
Joined: 6/29/2002
From: San Antonio, TX
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Very thoughtful post, poerr. Thank you for sharing your Uncle's history with us.

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RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 6:46:57 PM

Herrbear

Posts: 883
Joined: 7/26/2004
From: Glendora, CA
Status: offline

My sympathy to you and your family.

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Post #: 9

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 7:37:36 PM

CaptDave

Posts: 659
Joined: 6/21/2002
From: Federal Way, WA
Status: offline

Sorry for your loss, poerr. And salutes to your uncle and his grandson-in-law for their service!

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Post #: 10

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 7:51:16 PM

bwheatley

Posts: 3650
Joined: 12/13/2004
Status: offline

A nice post. Sorry for your lose. Nothing really to say to help get through the pain other then time. A full life lived always feels like it could be longer.

<3

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RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 7:53:20 PM

zuluhour

Posts: 5244
Joined: 1/20/2011
From: Maryland
Status: offline

A quiet moment from me.

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Post #: 12

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 9:41:02 PM

mikkey

Posts: 3142
Joined: 2/10/2008
From: Slovakia
Status: offline

R.I.P.
my respect to your uncle, poerr

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Post #: 13

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/3/2012 10:55:02 PM

PaxMondo

Posts: 9750
Joined: 6/6/2008
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God Speed to your Uncle. My condolences to you and your family for your loss.

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Post #: 14

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/4/2012 4:48:09 AM

kirk23

Posts: 2885
Joined: 10/15/2010
From: Fife Scotland
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My sincere condolences to you and your family for your loss.

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RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/4/2012 5:49:04 PM

DOCUP

Posts: 3073
Joined: 7/7/2010
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My condolences to you and your family.

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Post #: 16

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/5/2012 4:25:49 AM

whippleofd

Posts: 617
Joined: 12/23/2005
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What a great story to honor your uncle.

Whipple

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Post #: 17

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/5/2012 7:18:34 AM

CaptBeefheart

Posts: 2301
Joined: 7/4/2003
From: Seoul, Korea
Status: offline

Thanks for that, Poerr. May your uncle rest in peace.

Respectfully,
CC

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Post #: 18

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/5/2012 11:04:44 PM

CyrusSpitama

Posts: 213
Joined: 2/21/2011
From: Naw'lins, Luzianna
Status: offline

I do wish you my most sincere condolences. Your uncle sounded like an amazing person. My own experiences with victims of war did not have such great memories attached to them. I think the greatest tribute we can offer to people like this is to make sure that war and fighting is not done needlessly and when necessary, done so judiciously.

/Salute

(in reply to CaptBeefheart)

Post #: 19

RE: My Hero Has Passed - 9/7/2012 5:25:41 AM

stuman