Comments on: A Pure Miracle

By: Eric Bond (son & grandson of veterans)

Eric Bond (son & grandson of veterans) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:06:10 +0000

My father served in Vietnam. My grandfather served in Europe during WWII and was an Army Infantry Captain leading troops during the Normandy Invasion and subsequent action that Mr. Pyle wrote about. After the war ended in Europe grandfather went back to Normandy to visit the American cemetery there, before returning to England to await transport home. He took black and white pictures of what was then just a huge muddy field with seemingly endless wooden markers. He never wanted to speak about his combat experiences or days like his visit back to the beaches at Normandy and to that cemetery. However, grandmother told us that was a difficult day, as he paid his respects to the men he had to leave behind, who would never be returning home to their families. It’s amazing so many of these mostly young men are still there today, forever young. How can we ever repay the debt the world owes them? At the least, we should do as Ernie Pyle said and always “appreciate and forever be humbly grateful to those both dead and alive who did it for you.”

Thank you to all Veterans! Thank you to the people who keep the legacy of Ernie Pyle alive today. He was a wonderful journalist, who not only well reported the historic events he witnessed, but also spoke for the everyday soldiers who paid such a high price for our freedom.

By: Brad Koenig (brother of a veteran)

Brad Koenig (brother of a veteran) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:04:05 +0000

Ernie Pyle was a friend to the GI since he was in the front lines with them. He even lost his life there. He told the story as it really was, without the glitter and glory of Hollywood. It is amazing that anyone survived, or had the courage to go forward into that wall of fire. I can’t thank everyone for what they did, I can only hope and pray that if this nation faces another peril as those men did, that Americans rise to the occasion and are victorious.

By: Mike Savage US Army 1988-1992

Mike Savage US Army 1988-1992 — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:20:53 +0000

I went to the American Cemetery overlooking the beaches of Normandy when I was stationed in Germany. I can’t imagine the carnage that Ernie saw on the beaches immediately following D-Day.

I will never forget what the soldiers did for us and the rest of the world on that day.

By: Mick Boice. U.S. Navy 1996-2002

Mick Boice. U.S. Navy 1996-2002 — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 23:30:19 +0000

I was in the service during peacetime, only seeing 9\11 in the last year of my enlistment. I’ve never seen anything so horrible as what must have transpired on that beach. My thanks to all of you.

By: Scott Bensen (non veteran)

Scott Bensen (non veteran) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 20:34:35 +0000

I was born in 1970 and have never served in the military.

I am part of the MTV generation, which ufortunately was promoted much more than the glory of our veterans. I have lived in Russia for the past 7 years, and they do a much better job at promoting patriotic pride . May 9th, celebrating the victory of the Soviet Army over the Nazis is arguably the biggest holiday. The airwaves are full of tributes and interviews about those who sacrificed so much for their country. And not only for one day but for the whole month leading up to the celebration.

This caused me to think about why so little fanfare is made in the USA regarding our heros of WWII, especially the D-Day Invasion, which is one of our finest hours in History.

We should have a national holiday. There should be parades of tribute. The airwaves should be abuzz with the stories of our real American Heros.

I am forever in awe of and indebted to the Fathers who sacrificed everything for the freedom that is so taken for granted. I will make sure that my children know of your sacrifice.

You guys are more man than most of us could hope to be.

We love you and will not forget you.

Sincerely,

Scott M Bensen

By: Kevin Starkey Desert Shield

Kevin Starkey Desert Shield — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 18:10:16 +0000

Fellow Veterans: I was a merchant sailor, at the beginning of Desert shield, Somehow you just do your job! But I found out certain moves, by stupid people can get you hurt. I was on a Navy Ready reserve ship, Cargo and troops to handle the military cargo. This ship could go 40 knots,on an open sea! Destroyers called the bridge too sea what we had in our engine room!!! I was 44 years old, at the time, maybe it was better I was older and College educated, it seemed too cushion a few things! Never got a note accept from mother, once an awhile! How sad! They forgot me, Now I forgot them. Oh, well! Gods speed to all! Kevin Starkey Desert Sheild

By: Guy Robert Collins

Guy Robert Collins — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 04:40:26 +0000

I was in the Navy Amphibious Forces on Utah Beach, D-Day 6/6/44.

We always looked forward to Ernie’s column in “Stars & Stripes”.

He was the greatest. It was tragic that he was killed near the end of the war in the Pacific.

Thanks for all this about Ernie.

Bob Collins Ph.D IU 1965