Salute to the 'Greatest Generation'

Steve G. · 06-06-2009, 09:07 PM

On the 65th anniversary, as a proud Canadian, I'm nodding my head in salute to those men that went onto Juno Beach in Normandy. I'm truly humbled by what courage it took for ALL the men to run into a rain of bullets, whether American, British, Canadian, and any others. I honestly can't say if I would have 'the bollocks' to do what all these guys did.
I'm willing to overlook for now the fact that the French Govt. did not want representatives of the UK, Canada, or the British Royal Family to have anything to do with memorial proceedings marking D Day. The men involved in D-Day I'm sure would have swept pettyness like this aside, and forged ahead to kick ass!
The Greatest Generation!!!!
Steve

One of my must do's in my life, to visit the many memorials dotted around Normandy, of ALL the allies.

redpillar · 06-06-2009, 11:31 PM

Cheers

Night_Wolf · 06-07-2009, 07:14 AM

I'd love to eventaully get to see Dieppe, Juno Beach, Beaumont Hamel & Vimy Ridge

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve G.

One of my must do's in my life, to visit the many memorials dotted around Normandy, of ALL the allies.

bald1Rides · 06-08-2009, 12:10 PM

My dad was there, though he was in the artillery so he didn't have to storm the hellish beach. When I asked him why he joined up (volunteer from Nfld) he replied "The Adventure, that's what most of us signed up for."

Still think the old bastard has balls as big as church bells. Gotta give props to the beach stormers. Brave men who ran into a literal hail of bullets and shrapnel.

ArthDuro · 06-08-2009, 07:26 PM

well worth a thread

salute indeed

MANXMAN · 11-11-2012, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve G.

One of my must do's in my life, to visit the many memorials dotted around Normandy, of ALL the allies.

Seems fitting to post this picture today. It was impossible to walk through this memorial and keep it together. I hope their sacrifice is never forgotten.

Canadian Cemetery at Beny-sur-Mer, Normandy

Droptarotter · 11-11-2012, 09:59 AM

Amen............thanks to all that served and still serve............we owe our freedom to you!!!

Cheers

toddiscdn · 11-11-2012, 10:52 AM

Good bump Manxman, it is the day to remember, I was there in Sept. and had the same experience as you, moving place. Thanks to all who served.

Juno

Canadian Cemetery, Beny-sur-Mer

blue01 · 11-11-2012, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night_Wolf

I'd love to eventaully get to see Dieppe, Juno Beach, Beaumont Hamel & Vimy Ridge

Great post to bump up.
I started a "Vimy" account a couple of years ago with plans to attend their 100th anniversary in 2017. Will definitely take in a number of other memorials too, especially Juno Beach.

JTT · 11-12-2012, 05:34 AM

bald1rides, my Dad was also overseas in '43-'45 in the artillery. Don't know much about his service, as he VERY rarely could ever be convinced to talk about it. He normally only talked about the beauty of many of the places (aside from the destruction all around).

He's passed away now, but just yesterday I was going through some of his things, including army paybooks, a rare few photos and some business cards from places in France and England. Really brings it home.

I'd really like to know more, but respected that he never wanted to talk about it. Now I wouldn't know where to begin.

On a separate note, one of my co-worker's son's had the opportunity to visit Vimy on a school trip. He's only 16 or so, but said it was very moving. The day they walked the route the troops took it was freezing and raining, which made it even more real. Said he couldn't even image the trek under a hail of gunfire, as the hike was substantial even in modern times.

Natnewt · 11-12-2012, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Night_Wolf

I'd love to eventaully get to see Dieppe, Juno Beach, Beaumont Hamel & Vimy Ridge

I was there in my youth as my father was posted in Baden Baden during the 80's its quite humbling being there and surprisingly really quite. It's like the birds even respect the dead.

blue01 · 11-13-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTT

bald1rides, my Dad was also overseas in '43-'45 in the artillery. Don't know much about his service, as he VERY rarely could ever be convinced to talk about it. He normally only talked about the beauty of many of the places (aside from the destruction all around).

He's passed away now, but just yesterday I was going through some of his things, including army paybooks, a rare few photos and some business cards from places in France and England. Really brings it home.

I'd really like to know more, but respected that he never wanted to talk about it. Now I wouldn't know where to begin.

On a separate note, one of my co-worker's son's had the opportunity to visit Vimy on a school trip. He's only 16 or so, but said it was very moving. The day they walked the route the troops took it was freezing and raining, which made it even more real. Said he couldn't even image the trek under a hail of gunfire, as the hike was substantial even in modern times.

You can apply for copies of his war records, things like pay stubs, etc. through Archives Canada. At least I believe that's where I got my fathers. There is a small fee, but that's really quite minor.
My son went to Europe when he was in grade 10, and toured Vimy Ridge, about the same time of year, April. He still talks about it, so I bought him the book, Vimy, by Pierre Berton. A fascinating story, which I have read more than my son.

ZZR_Ron · 11-16-2012, 01:43 AM

06-06-2009, 09:07 PM	#1
Steve G. ^OP Beastly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2004 Location: British Columbia Oddometer: 5,966	Salute to the 'Greatest Generation' On the 65th anniversary, as a proud Canadian, I'm nodding my head in salute to those men that went onto Juno Beach in Normandy. I'm truly humbled by what courage it took for ALL the men to run into a rain of bullets, whether American, British, Canadian, and any others. I honestly can't say if I would have 'the bollocks' to do what all these guys did. I'm willing to overlook for now the fact that the French Govt. did not want representatives of the UK, Canada, or the British Royal Family to have anything to do with memorial proceedings marking D Day. The men involved in D-Day I'm sure would have swept pettyness like this aside, and forged ahead to kick ass! The Greatest Generation!!!! Steve One of my must do's in my life, to visit the many memorials dotted around Normandy, of ALL the allies. __________________ Garage Residents: '72 Norton 750 Combat, '74 Honda CT70, '74 Norton 850 Interstate, '81 Laverda Jota '89 Honda RC30, '91 BMW R100GS '08 BMW R1200GS

06-06-2009, 11:31 PM	#2
redpillar Studly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver Island Oddometer: 797	Cheers __________________ ACROSS B.C. ON A KLX IDAHO AND MONTANA ON MY KLX 1200 MILE OREGON LOOP WASHINGTON DISCOVERY TRAIL

06-08-2009, 12:10 PM	#4
bald1Rides !BeenThere !DoneThat Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Victoria, BC Oddometer: 308	My dad was there, though he was in the artillery so he didn't have to storm the hellish beach. When I asked him why he joined up (volunteer from Nfld) he replied "The Adventure, that's what most of us signed up for." Still think the old bastard has balls as big as church bells. Gotta give props to the beach stormers. Brave men who ran into a literal hail of bullets and shrapnel. __________________ My brother and I used to say that drownin' in beer was like heaven, eh? Now he's not here, and I've got two soakers... this isn't heaven, this sucks. Bob Mackenzie

06-08-2009, 07:26 PM	#5
ArthDuro quarantined Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Westsideistan Oddometer: 2,763	well worth a thread salute indeed __________________ my nx250 project pics my mini ride reports "parts made of unobtanium" + momento mori +

11-11-2012, 09:59 AM	#7
Droptarotter Studly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2007 Location: Cloverdale Oddometer: 852	Amen............thanks to all that served and still serve............we owe our freedom to you!!! Cheers __________________ HP2 Sport, R1200S, R100S, KTM 640 Adventure, KTM 520 EXC/Motard, Yamaha RZ350, Hodaka 125 Wombat

11-11-2012, 10:52 AM	#8
toddiscdn Take off, EH! Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Blue Point, Ontario Oddometer: 804	Good bump Manxman, it is the day to remember, I was there in Sept. and had the same experience as you, moving place. Thanks to all who served. Juno Canadian Cemetery, Beny-sur-Mer __________________ *"It's all about the beer"* drcool 08DR650 - Jack of all trades, master of none Summer's going fast,Nights growing colder,Children growing up,Old friends growing older

11-12-2012, 05:34 AM	#10
JTT Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jul 2005 Location: Halifax, NS Oddometer: 1,382	bald1rides, my Dad was also overseas in '43-'45 in the artillery. Don't know much about his service, as he VERY rarely could ever be convinced to talk about it. He normally only talked about the beauty of many of the places (aside from the destruction all around). He's passed away now, but just yesterday I was going through some of his things, including army paybooks, a rare few photos and some business cards from places in France and England. Really brings it home. I'd really like to know more, but respected that he never wanted to talk about it. Now I wouldn't know where to begin. On a separate note, one of my co-worker's son's had the opportunity to visit Vimy on a school trip. He's only 16 or so, but said it was very moving. The day they walked the route the troops took it was freezing and raining, which made it even more real. Said he couldn't even image the trek under a hail of gunfire, as the hike was substantial even in modern times.

11-16-2012, 01:43 AM	#13
ZZR_Ron Underground Joined: Nov 2004 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada Oddometer: 7,516	My Dad, on the right.. __________________ Great minds think alike;small minds seldom differ...

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