Author Topic: Astros at Cubs – A Rookie and a Veteran (Read 3792 times)

Craig · « **on:** May 30, 2011, 10:42:38 am »

I tried to bring the Cub-hate, but I started telling war stories and I must have gotten something in my eye, because it got all misty in here.

Series Preview, Memorial Day edition

BudGirl · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2011, 11:28:00 am »

Best preview of the year. Thanks for sharing.

JaneDoe · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2011, 02:06:55 pm »

Quote from: BudGirl on May 30, 2011, 11:28:00 am

Best preview of the year. Thanks for sharing.

I agree. Thanks Craig.

Bench · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2011, 02:20:11 pm »

A little misty and dusty indeed. Great story, Craig.

My grandfather on my dad's side always took me and my brother to the Dome when we would visit him in Houston. He served in the infantry in North Africa and Italy during WWII but as far as my dad and grandmother know, he never spoke about what happened over there. He was a fairly crusty old guy as well, but my brother and I only have fond memories of going to ballgames, and learning how to play golf and gin rummy from him during our visits.

He died when I was a freshman in college and I didn't come home from Boston for his funeral, which is probably one of the dumbest decisions I've ever made and ranks at the top of my life's regrets so far. I've always wanted to find out more about his early life and his experiences during the war. I'm spending a week with my grandmother on a family vacation in a couple weeks, and I plan to see what I can find out from her.

I always appreciate hearing stories of one's ancestors and wish that curiosity kicked in back when I had a chance to find out more directly. Great preview, Craig. Thanks.

Ron Brand · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2011, 02:25:34 pm »

Great job, Craig.

Col. Sphinx Drummond · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2011, 07:32:14 pm »

Nice Craig, you made me get all teary eyed and shit. Fucker.

Craig · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2011, 07:43:40 pm »

Thanks everyone. I almost deleted this because I wasn't sure if it was appropriate, so I'm glad you liked it.

If you do one thing this summer, make it a point to get with your older relatives and listen to their stories. Record what they say, write it down, and tell it to the younger generations. Because once the old folks are gone, so are their stories. Hell, write down your own stories too, because one day your descendants will want to know about you.

ETA: I've been thinking about this all day, and I remembered some details about his funeral that I hadn't thought about in years. So I added one more paragraph near the end.

BudGirl · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2011, 08:37:56 pm »

You made the best better.

Ty in Tampa · « **Reply #8 on:** May 31, 2011, 06:07:24 am »

Quote from: Craig on May 30, 2011, 07:43:40 pm

Thanks everyone. I almost deleted this because I wasn't sure if it was appropriate, so I'm glad you liked it.

I'm sure glad you didn't. Thanks for a very thoughtful preview.

Gizzmonic · « **Reply #9 on:** May 31, 2011, 08:52:19 am »

Great preview. But, I think I have something in my eye...

Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day!

MusicMan · « **Reply #10 on:** May 31, 2011, 09:34:25 am »

I sure as hell shouldn't have read this at the office.

Outstanding stuff. Absolutely appropriate.

JimR · « **Reply #11 on:** May 31, 2011, 10:06:18 am »

great, Craig. thank you.

Bench · « **Reply #12 on:** May 31, 2011, 10:10:49 am »

Quote from: MusicMan on May 31, 2011, 09:34:25 am

Absolutely appropriate.

"It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."

EasTexAstro · « **Reply #13 on:** May 31, 2011, 10:27:39 am »

subnuclear · « **Reply #14 on:** May 31, 2011, 11:49:39 am »

Great preview, Craig. My great-grandfather had a horrible cough his whole life because of being gassed in WWI. Because he was a Croatian migrant worker and didn't speak English very well, I don't know much else about him or his service. Which is actually more than I know about my other great-grandfather who served in WWI because he died in the influenza outbreak that occurred after the war. Just a bad war for that part of my family.

Rebel Jew · « **Reply #15 on:** May 31, 2011, 12:26:39 pm »

Great preview Craig. It made me so sad when I read the part about your grandfather moving back to Dallas.

Just kidding. Tremendous story. One of my most vivid childhood memories was visiting my grandfather in New York while the Wimbledon finals was on the TV, the one where teenage Boris Becker made that miracle run to the championship. I'll never forget how glued to the TV my grandfather was, tense and angry, cursing non-stop at the Nazi bastard playing in the tennis tournament, soiling the land of England that my grandfather had grown to love so much during WW2.

MusicMan · « **Reply #16 on:** May 31, 2011, 12:31:39 pm »

Related WW2/Memorial Day story:

Watched "Bastogne" from BOB for the first time last night.

I stand in awe of what those who served our country in that war went through.

Noe · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2011, 12:56:48 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on May 31, 2011, 12:31:39 pm

Related WW2/Memorial Day story:

Watched "Bastogne" from BOB for the first time last night.

I stand in awe of what those who served our country in that war went through.

First time I saw "The Pacific", the part about Peleliu really made me appreciate the veterans of the Pacific War even more. The Marines who rushed through the airport tarmac were absolutely courageous to do that. Stunning.

MusicMan · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:09:35 pm »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on May 31, 2011, 12:56:48 pm

First time I saw "The Pacific", the part about Peleliu really made me appreciate the veterans of the Pacific War even more. The Marines who rushed through the airport tarmac were absolutely courageous to do that. Stunning.

To anyone who argues how inferior "The Pacific" was, I point them to that episode.

JimR · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:32:13 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on May 31, 2011, 12:31:39 pm

Related WW2/Memorial Day story:

Watched "Bastogne" from BOB for the first time last night.

I stand in awe of what those who served our country in that war went through.

for the first time, i have been reading a lot about the Pacific war lately. what the Marines went through made the European war appear to be a tea party.

i like you am in awe of what they did. Greatest Generation indeed.

JimR · « **Reply #20 on:** May 31, 2011, 01:33:13 pm »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on May 31, 2011, 12:56:48 pm

First time I saw "The Pacific", the part about Peleliu really made me appreciate the veterans of the Pacific War even more. The Marines who rushed through the airport tarmac were absolutely courageous to do that. Stunning.

read With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge, Noe.

Noe · « **Reply #21 on:** May 31, 2011, 04:20:07 pm »

Quote from: JimR on May 31, 2011, 01:33:13 pm

read With the Old Breed by Eugene Sledge, Noe.

It's on my reading list. The Pacific is based in large part from Sledge's unique desire to write his experiences down and then later, at the urging of his wife, he wrote a book about it. The most stunning, shocking, and revelatory scenes about the courage of the men who fought and died in the Pacific are from Sledge's book.

JimR · « **Reply #22 on:** May 31, 2011, 04:33:02 pm »

Quote from: Noe in Austin on May 31, 2011, 04:20:07 pm

It's on my reading list. The Pacific is based in large part from Sledge's unique desire to write his experiences down and then later, at the urging of his wife, he wrote a book about it. The most stunning, shocking, and revelatory scenes about the courage of the men who fought and died in the Pacific are from Sledge's book.

Robert Leckie also did a well-known memoir called My Helmet Is(Was?) My Pillow. R.V. Burgin also wrote a memoir. they and Sledge fought together.

John Basilone's exploits were truly superhuman, but he did not survive Iwo Jima.

Ebby Calvin · « **Reply #23 on:** May 31, 2011, 06:55:28 pm »

Outstanding preview Craig. Thanks.